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The mystery surrounding the death of German colonial pioneer Adolf Lüderitz has never been completely solved. On an expedition to the Orange River he and Steingröver, his helmsman, left the rest of their party on 23 October 1886. In a small boat they planned to sail from the river’s mouth up the coast to Angra Pequeña (now Lüderitz). The two men were never seen again... 

The Fish River Canyon is one of the main tourist attractions in Namibia, and annually attracts thousands of visitors to enjoy the breath-taking views and the rugged canyon scenery at the main viewpoint. Some visitors also participate in the various hiking trails that move along the canyon floor. At the end of the hiking season, the Ministry of Environment and Tourism organises an annual clean-up campaign for the approximately 80km trail from Hiker’s Point to Ai-Ais. 52 volunteers from various institutions and organisations participated in the clean-up action this year.

How did the date palms at the sulphur springs in the Fish River Canyon get there? Many a hiker will have pondered this question on his way through the canyon. It is after all the only spot in the canyon where one finds palm trees. To date a conclusive answer hasn’t been found, but there are several theories. 

The Kalahari Farmhouse in Stampriet will be closed for renovations and the Gondwana Training Academy the first four months of 2017 as of 1 January. It will open to guests as soon as 28 April 2017. Originally the Kalahari Farmhouse was to be used for the Gondwana Academy as from January until July 2017. However, this year's training programme has been streamlined for various reasons. Gondwana's current Managing Director Mannfred Goldbeck, soon to be the Director of Brand and Marketing, will head the Academy.

Like everything in Life, things start out small and usually out of pure practicality. Journeys begin step by step, massive trees grow from small seeds and big endeavours start from basics; but occasionally there are those folk that leap and always those that dream. Nicolaas Andries Rymert Spreeth had two dreams. The one was that he would have easier access to collecting his provisions from the top of the mountain, and the second that he make the best view of the Namib available to the public. Both of these he achieved.

Three of the Gondwana Lodges are enjoying particular popularity on HolidayCheck. With reviews like “Pure Romance” for Klein-Aus Vista Eagle’s Nest Chalets, “Beautiful grounds – highly recommended” for Damara Mopane Lodge and “Ideal starting point for photo safari” for Etosha Safari Lodge, these are among the highest ranking lodges of the year. The seal of approval “Recommended on HolidayCheck” shows that the lodges enjoy many globetrotters’ great respect and is considered an important indicator when individuals are planning their holidays. 

Gondwana started construction on Canyon Lodge, their first, east of the Fish River Canyon. Bank funding had been secured in principle, with personal homes put up as collateral. The founders were on site day and night, leaving no time to travel to Windhoek to see their families, or the bank manager. When the anticipated phone call came from the bank, requesting a meeting with the new MD Manni Goldbeck to confirm funding, pressure instantly mounted. Having already paid his labourers for the week’s work, Manni found himself alone on site with his Kombi and not a penny in his pocket and only a few drops in the petrol tank.

It happened only once in the history of the German Empire that British security forces were decorated with a German military medal, the South West Africa Commemorative Medal with the bar “Kalahari 1907”. This medal was awarded during the Herero and Nama uprising from 1904 to 1908. The “Kalahari 1907” clasp refers to one particular event which triggered cooperation between the authorities in German South West Africa and British police and soldiers stationed in the Cape Colony. 

Many years ago a tourist from South Africa told nature conservation officials in the Etosha National Park that instead of Blacky he had spotted “die ander merrie” (the other mare). Blacky was almost completely black and at that stage probably the best known plains zebra in the park. But there was another zebra whose black stripes were blurred, except for the usual white underbelly and parts of the legs. After the excited visitor from the Transvaal had reported his sighting of the “ander merrie”, this second mare was named Annemarie because the English-speaking nature conservation official was a little lost with Afrikaans.