Visit our stall at Presidents Hall, P3 A - Allgemeine Zeitung Namibia

Visit our stall at Presidents Hall, 

P3 A 

June 2009 • Nr. 172 

Foto: Skeleton Coast Safaris

Greetings to the Namibia Tourism Expo 2009 

Partnership is 

a must 

As Minister of Environment and Tourism, 

it gives me great pleasure to welcome the 

Namibia Tourism Expo 2009. This event 

is widely considered as the most important 

event on the Namibian tourism calendar. 

It is therefore not surprising that since 

its inception in 1999, the Expo has gone 

from strength to strength, and the amazing 

growth that we all witness here over 

the next few days is testament to the 

commitment that the various partners and 

stakeholders have made towards growing 

this sector. In particular I would like to single 

out Democratic Media Holdings who have 

initiated and organised the Expo. I want to 

commend them for their dedication over the 

past ten years to contribute to this country’s 

tourism industry. 

Namibia Tourism Expo 2009 is significant, 

since as a country we are preparing to 

strategically position ourselves for the FIFA 

World Cup and the All African Nations Cup 

to take place in 2010 in South Africa and 

Angola respectively, it thus provides the 

opportunity for networking and a platform 

for creating more awareness of tourism 

amongst Namibians. 

This Expo is not only an event for players 

in the tourism industry, but it also seeks 

to create awareness amongst Namibians 

on the importance of tourism. This is 

important, as tourism must play an everincreasing 

role in rural development, poverty 

alleviation and general contribution to the 

economic growth and development of 

Namibia. In the face of the current world 

financial crisis, the tourism sector in Namibia 

offers a ray of hope. 

I would like to point out that the Expo 

provides an excellent opportunity for 

developing partnerships and effective 

networks. A partnership between the 

government, private sector and the 

community is a must. We need to work 

together and support each other. Special 

attention has to be given to emerging 

tourism entrepreneurs. Namibia’s tourism 

industry must be competitive in the world, 

I therefore hope that during the next few 

days of the Expo we will take time to know 

each other, share ideas and build effective 

partnership to take our sector to even greater 

heights. 

Hon. Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, Minister 

of Environment and Tourism 

Fascinating aisles 

are beckoning 

Yes, it is tourism expo time again! This is 

the 11th Namibian Tourism Expo, the first 

having been in 1999. Over these years, 

the Expo has grown into a highlight on the 

Namibian calendar. For Namibia, it has 

evolved into a trade fair which does not only 

attract tourism stakeholders, but the wider 

Namibian public, because it has grown in 

diversity and magnitude. Potential clients, 

interested parties, suppliers, agents and tourism 

providers mingle, negotiate, inform and 

network during this event. Anybody, with 

a love for Namibia, will be entertained and 

intrigued with all the different products and 

services on display at the tourism Expo. 

To me, the Expo is a representation of the 

development and evolution of the Namibian 

tourism industry – every year new partners 

enter the stage, products are improved, 

changed and diversified, services are adapted, 

new unique selling points created – and 

most of these can then be viewed at the 

Expo, our tourism focal point. As someone, 

who has been in tourism for many years, 

it remains fascinating to walk through the 

aisles and absorb all the new developments, 

the vibe, the enthusiasm and the true Namibian 

hospitality. It makes one proud to be 

part of one of the most dynamic sectors of 

development in Namibia. 

Up to now, the global recession has only 

had a relatively small impact on Namibian 

tourism, while our neighbouring countries 

have experienced a substantial drop in business. 

Over the last few years, Namibia has 

become an increasingly popular long-haul 

holiday destination and it is vital for Namibia 

to maintain this momentum. We cannot 

allow ourselves to stagnate. The Namibian 

Tourism Expo plays a vital part in promoting 

Namibia as a tourist destination. International 

media representatives and an increasing 

number of international tour operators and 

agents visit the Expo, which is testimony to 

the growing importance of our tourism trade 

fair. 

In conclusion, the Namibian Tourism Expo 

can be compared in quality and professionalism, 

to any of the other regional and international 

tourism trade fairs, obviously not as 

big, but the event is a perfect showcase of 

what Namibia is capable of. Congratulations 

to Democratic Media Holdings, the event 

organisers, and Glenda Manthe-Grobler and 

her team, who coordinate the expo every 

year – you have done a remarkable job once 

again. Herewith a warm “Thank you” for 

your efforts from the Tour and Safari Association 

(TASA) of Namibia. 

Nathaly Ahrens, Executive Director of TASA 

(Tour and Safari Association of Namibia) 

Tourism is 

Everyone´s 

Business 

The entire Namibian Tourism Industry under 

one roof! - That is the aim of the annual 

Tourism Expo held in Windhoek in May each 

year, - and this year, the 11th Tourism 

Expo promises to be the „Best Show“ ever, 

- a true reflection of the status and value of 

the Namibian Tourism Industry, being one 

of the pillars of the Namibian economy. 

HAN is very proud to be associated with this 

exciting annual event, having been involved 

at various levels in staging this colourful 

showcase of the tourism sector since its very 

beginning. 

This year, a particular emphasis at the 

Tourism Expo will be the promotion of 

tourism products and services for the 

domestic market, - thereby initiating more 

interest among Namibians in their own 

country‘s tourism attractions & services, 

and making these more accessible and 

affordable to our own people. The 

Hospitality Association of Namibia is 

convinced this will contribute to more and 

more people becoming aware of the value 

and status of this important sector of the 

Namibian economy, who will realise, 

that „Tourism is Everyone‘s Business“, in 

which every single citizen has a role to play 

in developing Namibia as an attractive, 

unique, friendly, safe and comfortable 

tourism destination, for everyone, local and 

international citizens alike. 

HAN‘s contribution to this endeavour will 

2 

be the official 

launch of the 

HAN Tourism 

Awareness 

Manual, 

which over the 

next months 

and years will 

be taken to 

high schools 

throughout 

Namibia 

willing to 

expose their pupils to the basics of tourism, 

- and a brief insight into career opportunities 

in this spectacular industry. The 15 selected 

high school pupils of the City of Windhoek‘s 

„Teens in Tourism“ initiative will be the 

first to be exposed to the HAN Tourism 

Awareness Manual. 

More information will be made available at 

the Tourism Expo and HAN wishes to invite 

all Namibians to visit the Tourism Expo 2009 

for a colourful exhibition of this exciting 

sector! 

Expo is short for 

excitement 

Fenata, the umbrella association representing 

the private sector of the tourism industry, 

is a proud member of the Namibia Tourism 

Expo Steering Committee. We welcome all 

to our exciting annual tourism event! 

Tourism is on display once again at our Annual 

Namibia Tourism Expo and we have 

much to show! Our industry offers top quality 

tour operators, activities, accommodation 

facilities and a range of products for all budgets. 

Our main product on show: our beautiful 

country, Namibia! It is a winning product. 

With over 350 exhibitors and more than 

15,000 people expected to enjoy the event 

this year, it is a grand testimony to the 

strength of the tourism industry in Namibia. 

Tourism arrivals to Namibia slightly decreased 

in 2008 compared to 2007’s high of 

928,800. Some decreases are expected for 

2009, due to the global economic crisis. In 

response to this, our tourism industry private 

sector is strengthening its position through 

more and innovative marketing, staff training 

programs for increased service delivery, 

and even greater efficiency in operations. At 

Fenata, we don’t look down in challenging 

times; we look ahead and take it on! 

The Namibia Tourism Expo is happening at 

the right time to show our domestic tourists, 

regional tourists, outbound operators 

and visiting travel journalists that Namibia 

has a comparative advantage because of our 

unique niche products. Discount travel deals 

for domestic tourists are featured this year 

by the Namibia Tourism Board (NTB). 

Make sure you check out the Chef’s Theatre 

during the Expo to enjoy celebrity chefs as 

they create mouth-watering meals and have 

fun competitions with delicious food. 

Fenata will close out the Expo once again 

with our Annual Fund-Raising Dinner to be 

held at the Windhoek Country Club and Resort, 

May 30, 2009, 19:00 for 19:30. Please 

come to the Fenata stand in the President’s 

Hall on the Expo Show Grounds for ticket information. 

June 2009 

Gitta Paetzhold, CEO of HAN 

Jacky Asheeke, CEO of FENATA 

Fresh ideas for 

mutual benefit 

Exactly eleven years ago the windows of 

the Namibian Tourism industry opened its 

doors in Windhoek, the heart and pulse of 

this country with its wide open spaces. Yes, 

one can hardly believe it’s going to be the 

eleventh annual Namibian Tourism Expo 

which takes place from 27 May- 30 May 

2009, organised by Republikein with support 

from the many varied tourism organisations 

in the country. 

Although there are many tourism related 

businesses such as travel agents, lodges, 

hotels, restaurants, tour and safari operators, 

activity operators and new entrants such as 

tourism related SME’s, all of them have one 

goal in common and it is to showcase their 

products and to view new developments in 

the tourism industry. This year a fully fledged 

motor vehicle show under the banner of 

Bank Windhoek- Republikein Motor Show is 

not to be missed. 

The Namibian Tourism Expo has grown 

tremendously in terms of exhibitions and 

visitor numbers, recording with a mere 

5541 visitors in 2003 to a staggering 15301 

visitors in 2008. The value of the Expo 

goes further than to provide a forum for 

tourism and its suppliers to market new and 

existing products and services, directly to 

the consumer and to the travel trade, both 

locally and internationally. It takes a lead in 

general public awareness of the importance 

of tourism and also encourages stakeholders 

in the industry to network and communicate 

with each other. 

The Namibia Tourism Board continues 

to support the organisers and invites 

international travel agents, guests and 

members of the media to the expo showing 

commitment towards their mandate of 

marketing the tourism industry locally and 

internationally. 

The true spirit of tourism in Namibia 

lies with its inhabitants and the land that 

they share with others to create a unique 

tourism product which draws repeating 

visitors every year. The Namibia Tourism 

Board remains committed to work with 

the industry, but the challenge is that such 

approach should be all embracing, including 

our partners in National, Regional and 

Local Government, as well as all groupings 

in the country, be it SME’s owned by the 

Previously Disadvantaged Namibians to 

reflect our diverse nation or those who have 

been in the industry for a long time. The 

NTB therefore believes that it is right that all 

stakeholders, regardless how insignificant 

some may be considered, lead the way. 

This is their industry and injecting fresh ideas 

to activities of the Expo will only result in 

mutual benefit for everyone involved. 

The Namibia Tourism Expo is a showcase 

in terms of what the country has to offer, 

the NTB has therefore embarked on a 

domestic tourism campaign, especially with 

Fifa World Cup 2010 around the corner; at 

this prestigious event on Namibia’s tourism 

calendar, Namibians can find out about 

affordable holidays in their own country. 

The 2009 Expo promises to be the biggest 

ever Tourism Showcase. Many Namibians 

will be spurred to explore their own country. 

Digu Naobeb, CEO of NTB

Republikein, the sister newspaper of 

Allgemeine Zeitung is once more hosting 

the annual Namibia Tourism Expo. This 

will be the eleventh time the expo takes place. 

The Expo will be on from 27 May to 30 May 

2009. While organising this prestigious event 

on the Namibian social calendar, Republikein 

gets wonderful support from all Namibian 

tourism organisations. In addition, the Namibia 

Tourism Board (NTB) works closely with the 

organisers by inviting international travel agents, 

guests and members of the media to the Expo. 

Networking opportunities are the backbone of 

the event. 

Since its inception in 1999, the Namibia 

Tourism Expo has consistently grown and has 

earned a superb reputation for offering the only 

centralised marketing platform for Namibia’s 

hospitality industry. Apart from presenting a 

highly effective showcase for exhibitors active 

in tourism, the organisers have revitalized the 

exhibition year after year by expanding the 

showcase. 

The Expo hosts exhibits by local, regional and 

international establishments and also features 

interactive chefs’ demonstrations, arts & 

crafts exhibitions, food, beer and wine tasting 

and a host of other fun activities to attract 

travel enthusiasts, foodies, friends of tourism 

and the general public alike. A fully fledged 

motor vehicle show, complete with motoring 

accessories, is hosted under the banner of the 

Bank Windhoek - Republikein Motor Show. 

Eleven years of 

Namibia Tourism Expo 

Tour & safari operators, travel agents, lodges, 

hotels, restaurants, tourism-related SME’s, all 

Namibia’s major tourism support bodies and 

suppliers to the industry flock to the event to 

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Tourismus 


now 

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as 

E- Paper 

Explore 

Namibia at 

your own PC! 

Click 

www.az.com.na 

introduce their products and catch up on the 

latest developments in tourism. 

The Namibia Tourism Expo has enjoyed a 

steady increase of visitors each year. In recent 

3 June 2009 

By Estelle de Bruyn 

years the Expo has seen an even more marked 

growth. In 2003, 5 541 people visited the Expo; 

in 2004 it grew to 7 100; in 2005 the figure was 

up to 9 373; in 2006, 10 150 visitors entered 

through the gates; in 2007 visitors’ numbers 

had swollen to 13 388 and last year a new record 

was set with 15 301 visitors. This represented 

a growth of 14% on 2007 attendance.: 

According to the chief organiser of the Tourism 

Expo, Ms. Glenda Manthe-Grobler, the organisers 

embrace the challenges of 2009 and will 

stay ahead of the game by introducing fresh 

elements and including innovative ideas to 

attract an ever changing market. 

“The Namibia Tourism Expo aims to provide a 

forum for the tourism industry and its suppliers to 

market new and existing products and services 

directly to the consumer and to the travel trade, 

both locally and internationally; create a public 

awareness of the importance of tourism and 

foster a sense of pride for our country amongst 

Namibians and encourage stakeholders in the 

industry to network and communicate with 

each other for the benefit of the tourism trade at 

large,” Ms. Manthe-Grobler said. 

The Namibia Tourism Expo attracts visitors 

who are actively seeking information about the 

various industry suppliers, new products and 

recent developments in tourism. The event 

presents an ideal opportunity to those who wish 

to network with the industry and make face to 

face contact to identify new business prospects, 

she added. n 

Riot & Strike 

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E-mail: anna.nasria@iway.na • Website: www.nasria.com.na

expo 

Tourism 

s a 

ational 

sset” 


epublikein has always viewed tourism 

as a national asset. Always committed 

to the development of a strong 

amibian economy, it was therefore natural 

or Republikein to get involved in supporting 

he tourism sector in the country, says chairerson 

of the board and managing director 

f Democratic Media Holdings, Ms. Chrisna 

reeff. 

We see the tourism sector as one of the most 

mportant providers of job opportunities to loal 

communities. It also plays a major role in 

he development and upliftment of rural comunities.” 

Tourism by its nature is vulnerable to negaive 

reporting in the media. Although we have 

duty to report objectively on events as they 

nfold, we also see it as our duty to project 

ll that is positive about Namibia as a tourism 

estination,” Ms. Greeff said. 

he acknowledged concerns about the curent 

negative trends in the global economy, 

ut added that Republikein strongly believes 

Chrisna Greeff 

that at the same time new opportunities are 

created, that did not exist before for the promotion 

of tourism facilities in the country, especially 

amongst the local Namibian community. 

“We hope that Namibians will use the opportunity 

this year to visit the Namibia Tourism 

Expo and to explore the possibilities local 

tourism offers, especially in the light of the 

wide variety of promotions and specials 

on offer from the industry at the show.” 

“The Namibia Tourism Expo is now well 

established as a showcase for the local 

tourism industry and tourism related products. 

In this regards it goes from strength 

to strength every year. The expo is still growing 

because it provides quality exhibitions 

across a broad spectrum and has become entrenched 

as a worthwhile attraction on the annual 

calendar for the Namibian public. 

4 

June 2009 

“The vision the organisers had when creating 

the Namibia Tourism Expo, was not only 

to create a showcase for Namibia but for the 

whole Southern African Development Community. 

This dream is coming to fruition with 

Botswana Tourism participating this year for 

the first time. In the past the Expo also 

played host to Zambia, Zimbabwe and 

South Africa tourism. We hope that in 

the near future we will also be able to 

welcome Angola to the Expo. 

“To all the loyal exhibitors over the 

past years as well as those present for 

the first time this year, we wish great 

success. We trust that they will always experience 

Namibia is the country of opportunities. 

“We would also like to thank each and every organisation 

and institution for playing a substantive 

role in presenting and developing of the Namibia 

Tourism Expo,” Ms. Greeff said. n 

KALAHARI WILD SILK MANUFACTURERS 

FROM ADVERSITY TO OPPORTUNITY 

Until recently, the moth Gonometa Postiga was seen as a threat to livestock and 

game farming on the fringes of the Kalahari in the Omaheke and Hardap regions. 

The moth hatches from cocoons which are spun by larvae on Camel thorn and 

blackthorn including prosopis trees upon which the larvae feeds before pupating. 

The animals feed on the dry cocoons, which cannot be digested, resulting in severe 

rumen impaction and sometimes even results in death. 

In 1999 the Namibian Agricultural Union (NAU) requested the then Ministry of 

Agriculture, Water and Rural Development (MAWRD) to declare the moth species 

known as Gonometa Postiga a national pest after a particularly high number of livestock 

and wild game losses attributed to ingestion of the cocoon of this moth. 

Following the call by the farmers, MAWRD convened a meeting to investigate 

means of eradicating the moth. Chemical eradication was deemed too expensive 

and could have been hazardous to the environment. Processing the cocoons into 

silk and producing wild silk products was agreed upon as an alternative to chemical 

eradication. The Centre for Research Information Africa Action (CRIAA SA-DC) 

was assigned the responsibility of providing technical advice in processing cocoons 

into silk while Oxfam (Canada) agreed to provide the necessary funding for the pilot 

phase of the project. 

Thus, a pilot production plant was established in Leonardville approximately 129 

km south of Gobabis in the Omaheke Region. Local personnel were employed and 

trained in the production process. The Omaheke Regional Council (ORC) took over 

the project in 2006 when the Directorate of Rural Development was transferred from 

the MAWRD to the Ministry of Regional and Local Government, Housing and Rural 

Development (MRLGHRD). 

SILK FOR INCOME 

The ORC took over a project with plenty of potential and an urgent need for investment 

to increase capacity so as to ensure commercial viability. According to the 

Regional Poverty Profile published in 2006, Omaheke is the third poorest region in 

Namibia and the Aminuis Constituency where the project is situated is one of the 

poorest areas within that region. Close to 95% of the local population of approximately 

1,600 people living in Leonardville are unemployed and live in poverty. 

Considering this alarming situation, the project was presented to the National 

Planning Commission’s (NPC) Rural Poverty Reduction Programme (RPRP) with 

the overall objective being to contribute to the reduction of rural poverty and create a 

secure means of livelihood for the people in and around Leonardville. The collection 

of wild silk and processing it into various silk yarn and silk products provides 

employment and income to members of the community, mostly women in Leonardville. 

A secondary objective is the reduction of the mortality and morbidity of cattle 

and game by harvesting the empty cocoons before they are eaten by animals. The 

NPC’s RPRP has thus provided European Union (EU) funding to the tune of N$ 2.4 

million while the ORC contributed N$ 650 000 to secure the 37 existing jobs and create 

several more. Manual collection of the cocoons also creates additional income 

to farm workers and their families. 

UNIQUE AND NATURAL PRODUCTS 

Production of unique naturally woven products is taking place at the project factory 

in Leonardville. The products include a wide range of scarves, shawls neck ties, bed 

covers, cushion covers and many more… 

REMEMBER TO VISIT THE KALAHARI WILK SILK 

MANUFACTURERS STALL AT THE UPCOMING 

WINDHOEK TOURISM EXPO ON 26-30 MAY 2009. 

OUTLETS: 

Casa Anin Embroidery 

Namibia Craft Centre, 40 Tal Street 

info@anin.com.na 

Tel.: +264-61-256410, Windhoek 

Swakop Info 

Woerman Haus, 10 Bismark Street 

namyak@iway.na 

Tel: +264-64-405488, Swakopmund 

Okahandja 

Project Site in Leonardville 

dkotze@ymail.com 

Tel./Fax: +264-62-569111 

For more information contact: 

Itah 

Tel.: 062-566500 

Cell: 081-293 6384 

Fax: 062-562432 

indjarakana@omahekerc.gov.na 

Denise 

Tel./Fax: 062 569111 

Cell: 0814146493 

dkotze@ymail.com

expo 

Two big names in culinary circles will be 

visiting the Namibia Travel Expo’s Chef’s 

Kitchen this year: the well-known Cape 

Malay queen Cass Abrahams and the “Nando’s 

Mamma” Mimi Jardim. 

Proud granny Mimi Jardim trained at the Johannesburg 

Teachers Training College in 

Home Economics and taught for ten years 

before turning her hand to lecturing. While 

her training and experience covers an extensive 

culinary range, she found that there was 

a lack of awareness regarding Portuguese 

cuisine in particular. This is what led to the 

establishment of her own cookery school, 

Jardim’s, which ran for 10 years. 

After a stint at lecturing, Mimi joined Pick ’n 

Pay School of Cooking as principal Home 

Economist. During this time she also wrote 

her first book, Cooking The Portuguese Way 

in South Africa, in 1991, which sold extremely 

well, emphasising the importance of Portuguese 

cuisine in the South African market. 

People’s Food followed in 1996. 

She joined Nando’s as a product consultant 

in 1992, testing and developing new products 

and recipes, and was the principal at 

their School of Cooking. During this time she 

was invited to participate in various events 

revolving around Portuguese cooking at the 

Berjaya Beau Vallon Hotel in the Seychelles 

and the Polana in Maputo. 

Mimi has been a guest presenter for various 

radio and television shows about cooking, including 

South African stations Radio 702, Radio 

Today and SAFM as well as international 

shows like Cooking on Air (UK and Scotland), 

and Chef for a Week for the Carlton Food Network 

(UK). 

Cass has been a guest demonstrater at the 

Gourmet Food Show in Cape Town on various 

occasions and regularly judges at cookery 

competitions. 

Cape Malay Queen and 

Nando’s Mamma cook 

up a storm 

By Gerine Hoff 

Mimi Jardim 

Interspersed with having her children, the 

stint with Nando’s and travelling to “anywhere 

where there is good food”, she has 

cooked for the likes of Anton Mosimann, Billy 

Gallagher, Anthony Worrall Thompson, Prue 

Leith, Raymond Blanc and various European 

chefs, ambassadors and even for princes. 

Cas Abrahams • Photos: Gerine Hoff 

Where Mimi Jardim is situated there is good 

food to be found and this versatile cook, lecturer 

and personality is the energy behind 

Portuguese food in South Africa. She has 

also, practically single-handedly, taken Portuguese 

cooking to all the corners of the world, 

thus continuing the voyagers of discovery be- 

5 June 2009 

gun by her ancestors so many centuries ago. 

Cass Abrahams is another culinary star that 

needs just about no introduction. Above and 

beyond her books, The Culture and Cuisine of 

the Cape Malays and Cass Abrahams Cooks 

Cape Malay: Food from Africa, Cass is a wellknown 

host of cooking programmes on radio 

and television, including appeareances on 

SA productions Pasella and Top Billing, and 

abroad for BBC Food, Channel 4 Australia, 

Victory Gardens (USA) and many more. 

Cass holds a B.Sc (Botany and Zoology), a BA 

(Sociology and Psychology), a Higher Education 

Diploma as well as diplomas in Marketing 

Management and Public Relations. She 

has recieved various awards, including an 

award by Chaine des Rotisseurs, as well as 

honorary diplomas by the Culinary Aft Institute 

of Africa, the Chef’s Assocation of South 

Africa and by Silwood Cordon Bleu. 

After spending 17 years teaching Physical Science 

and Biology and being a school psycholigst, 

Cass was a home economist for Tastic 

rice for eight years, and a freelance caterer for 

16. 

Cass was a consultant for the establishment 

of various restaurants including eateries like 

Jonkershuis at Spier, The Cape Malay Kitchen 

at Cellars Hohenhort, The Cape Kitchen 

at Lanzerac and De Waterblommetjie Restaurant 

at the Castle of Good Hope. Currently 

she’s helping to set up a restaurant at the 

historic Zomerlust in Paarl. She also devised 

menus and trained staff at all these establishments. 

Cass was involved with the development and 

promotion of various Cape products locally 

and abroad. She has represented South Africa 

and showcased South African cuisine overseas 

on many occasions, including in Thailand, 

Malaysia, Sweden, Denmark, Germany, 

the USA, France and the United Kingdom. 

Don’t miss these two culinary masters in action 

at the Namibia Travel Expo. ■ 

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expo 

Antoinette 

Stills her 

Hungry 

Heart 

By Gerine Hoff 

Antoinette de 

Chavonnes 

Vrugt• Photo: 

Gerine Hoff 

Conference • Accommodation 

• Team-building 

Tel. 062 50 3840 • Fax. 062 50 3170 

e-mail: info@rock.lodge.na • www.rock.lodge.na 

Things will really be 

cooking at this year’s 

Namibia Travel Expo, 

no doubt in part because local 

food fundie, Antoinette 

de Chavonnes Vrugt, will be 

launching her recipe book, My 

Hungry Heart – Notes from a 

Namibian Kitchen, filled to the 

brim with “local is lekker” and 

a bit of other worldy cuisine. 

Antoinette is a master at making 

the best of what’s available. 

Her sense of humour, flavour 

and adventure forms the 

basis of her recipes. It may 

not always be obvious, but 

everyone who has ever fallen 

in love with Namibia will 

recognise in these recipes: the 

red sand of the Kalahari, thorn 

trees covered in plush yellow 

blossoms, the textures of 

dunes, of camel-thorn bark, 

the happiness of a braai and 

a beer on a sultry summer 

evening and the smell of the 

first rain. 

Says Antoinette: “This book is 

a dream come true! My three 

biggest passions are my husband 

and children, food and 

to travel with friends. Wherever 

I travel, I collect cookbooks 

because I feel that you can truly get to 

know the people of a country through their 

food culture. I realised that visitors to Namibia 

might also be browsing through bookshops 

in search of something that will translate 

our own food traditions and passions, 

which is why I compiled this book: it reflects 

how I live my life and how I cook,” she says. 

Namibian cooking, like life here in general, 

1 Parsival Street, Southern Industrial Area, Windhoek 

Tel: +264-61-269075 or +264-61-269981, 

Fax: +264-61-269982 

6 

is a matter of making the best of what you 

have. 

“We always have a lot of meat. We mostly 

have fresh produce from the sea when at the 

coast. The rest is always a brilliant basket of 

possibilities and surprises. If it does rain and 

life hands you a wild mushroom, you make 

a magical omajova pasta. If you’re hundreds 

of kilometres away from civilisation, camping 

June 2009 

Abenteuer in nAmibiA 

SAfAriS • JAgen • Angeln 

out in the open air and your 

child asks you for bread, you 

dig a hole in the ground, fill it 

with fire and bake one!” says 

Antoinette. 

In Antoinette’s view Namibian 

recipes have a strong taste of 

history based on old South African 

Afrikaner food traditions, 

that resonate with the unique 

tastes from other influential 

visitors – German, Cape Malay, 

Dutch, French, Chinese, Indian, 

African, Portuguese, and so 

on. “In this book I tried to embrace 

the culture of Namibia as 

well as that of other countries, 

which is why you will also find 

recipes from many other countries,” 

she adds. 

The book boasts beautiful photos 

taken by well-known Namibian 

photographer, Hentie 

Burger. 

He says that he used to eat 

food without giving a thought 

to photographing it. “My culinary 

expertise in the outdoors 

is restricted to canned 

bully beef and long-life bread, 

washed down with a beer!” He 

adds that he cannot lay claim 

to any stylist experience either. 

So why become a food photographer? 

“Simply put: You do not argue with a fiery, redheaded 

chef who is convinced that your destiny 

lies in outdoor food photography, especially 

with the irresistible offer that you may eat all the 

food once photographed!” 

To get your hands on a copy of Antoinette’s 

book, visit the Gourmet Hall at the Namibia 

Travel Expo. n 

Only: N$ 69 000.00 

20 Copper Street, Windhoek 

Contact: J.C.Nel 

• 061 269 127 (T) • 061 269 133 (F) • +264 811246958 

Site Engineers, travelling or recreation, the Tiny caravan caters for all! 

Besuchen 

Sie uns auf 

der Namibia 


Expo in der 

Präsidentenhalle.

expo 

Motor show 

bigger and 

better 

than ever 


A 

motor show was introduced at the Namibia 

Tourism Expo for the first time 

2007 in conjunction with Bank Windoek. 

It has proved to be a runaway sucess. 

ver the last two shows more than 200 veicles 

to the value of more than N$30 million 

ere sold. 

his provided a significant injection into the 

ocal economy with vehicle traders smiling all 

he way to the bank. 

he Bank Windhoek / Republikein Motor 

how provides a platform for both Bank 

indhoek, to promote its Vehicle and Asset 

inance branch, and the motor vehicle indusry 

that can benefit from the unique selling 

pportunity presented by the show. 

r Chris Matthee, Divisional Executive: Speialist 

Finance at Bank Windhoek, said at the 

aunch of this year’s show: “Our involvement 

n the Motor Show demonstrates Bank Windoek’s 

commitment to building and strenghening 

our relationship with all stakehold- 

HEAD OFFICE & WAREHOUSE 

15 Newcastle Street 

PO Box 726, Windhoek 

Tel: (+264 61) 295 6000 

info@cymot.com 

ers in the motor vehicle industry. The feedback 

received from motor dealers on the previous 

two events has been very positive and 

the general feeling is that the Bank Windhoek 

/ Republikein Motor Show creates an important 

marketing platform for all participating 

parties.” 

Mr Matthee further commented: “At Bank 

Windhoek’s Vehicle and Asset Finance Branch, 

we understand the excitement around purchasing 

a motor vehicle and therefore, it is 

of utmost importance to enhance this experience 

for our clients. We pride ourselves in delivering 

quick and reliant service to clients.” 

During the 2009 Bank Windhoek / Republikein 

Motor Show, staff from Bank Windhoek’s 

Vehicle and Asset Finance Branch will 

be available to provide assistance and information 

on vehicle financing. The Vehicle and 

Asset Finance branch has an excellent team 

of sales advisors with many years of experience 

in the motor vehicle industry. The sales 

advisor team will analyse clients’ needs and 

help them to choose the best finance solution 

that will satisfy their financing needs. 

Bank Windhoek’s special offer, only valid during 

the 2009 Bank Windhoek / Republikein 

Motor Show, will be announced on 26 May 

2009 at a motor dealer function. The special 

offer is expected to facilitate the positive outcome 

of the previous two Bank Windhoek / 

Republikein Motor Shows and thereby give 

the motor vehicle industry a much needed financial 

boost. 

More information on vehicle financing can be 

obtained by visiting the Bank Windhoek Vehicle 

and Asset Finance Branch at the WKH 

Building, Ausspannplatz, in Windhoek, or by 

phoning (061) 299 0400. 

The organiser of the Bank Windhoek / Republikein 

Motor Show, Jan Grobler, is available 

on 081 128 2024 should any further information 

on the Motor Show be required. 

Last year boats, motorcycles, quad bikes and 

everything the 4 X 4 enthusiast can dream of, 

was introduced at the show and this continues 

this year. Bushwackers will this year exhibit 

a very unique socalled Bass Boat, imported 

from the United States of America. Mr. Grobler, 

is excited about this year’s show. All availa- 

WINDHOEK 

SWAKOPMUND OTJIWARONGO OSHAKATI 

LÜDERITZ 

60 Mandume Ndemufayo Ave. 

Tel: (061) 295 7000 

Tel: (064) 400 318 Tel: (067) 302 454 Tel: (065) 220 916 Tel: (063) 203 855 

KATUTURA 

WALVIS BAY 

TSUMEB 

RUNDU 

ROSH PINAH 

Tel: (061) 237 759 Tel: (064) 271 400 Tel: (067) 221 161 Tel: (066) 255 668 Tel: (063) 274 853 & S.M.B.A accepted 

7 June 2009 

ble space has already been fully booked. 

“Motor dealers see this show as a platform to 

display their latest models and see this event 

as a unique marketing opportunity,” Grobler 

added. 

Feedback from participants of previous motor 

shows has been extremely positive. They are 

impressed with the type of visitor the show attracts 

and sees it as a wonderful networking 

forum and a place to make contact with new 

potential buyers. 

New exhibitors this year include Namibia 

Commercial Vehicles that will be exhibiting 

Iveco; Zimmermann Garage with a range of 

Volkswagen vehicles; Wespa scooters will 

show a variety of these popular vehicles for 

the younger generation and KTM motorcycles 

will also be on display. 

“The motor show at the Namibia Tourism 

Expo is the motor show in Namibia and all 

car dealers realise this. More than 40 brands 

of vehicles will be respresented at the Expo 

and many will exhibit several models,” Grobler 

said. Only new vehicles will be represented 

at the show. n 

*Awesome 

Expo Special 

Offers!! 

* Special offers only valid for the duration of the Travel Expo 2009 or while stocks last

advertorial 

House of 

Wine 

This year’s Namibia Tourism Expo promises 

to be a treat for wine lovers and connoisseurs 

with the House of Wine taking over the whole 

Karakul Hall! 

Various wines from 15 different wine estates 

in South Africa will be represented. 

Wine lovers will get the opportunity to sample 

wines from Backsberg, Cabriére, Delheim, 

Ernie Els wines, Lutzville, Muratie, Nico 

van der Merwe Wines, Ridgeback, Anthony 

Rupert, Rust en Vrede, Schalk Burger & Sons, 

Saxenburg, Springfield Estate, Tokara and Villiera. 

According to the directors 

of House of Wine, 

Ernest Dukes and Dieter 

Jentsch experts 

will be on hand to give 

advise on the various 

wines. Informative 

presentations will 

also be hosted by experts 

on the various intricacies 

of wine and a 

variety of wine related 

topics. 

Dieter Jensch (left) and 

Ernst Duke (right) will 

be the hosts at the 

House of Wine exhition 

at the Namibia 

Tourism Expo. 

“Our slogan at this year’s Expo is: ‘We are 

here to meet you’, giving customers the opportunity 

to meet with the various wineries 

and winemakers. Eight of the estates will be 

represented by their wine makers giving Namibians 

a unique opportunity to really get 

some inside information on the wine industry. 

Jazz music will help create the ambience for 

a very special wine tasting and learning experience. 

In addition olives and olive oil from Tokara 

will be on sale. 

Customers who fall in love with a particular 

wine, will also be able to purchase wine at 

market related rates. 

Traders will be able to taste for free, but for 

the general public a small fee of N$20 for 

five tastings or N$40 for 10 tastings will be 

charged. n 

Just 1½ hours from Windhoek Airport. The closest Kalahari gets to Windhoek. 

Experience pure Namibian hospitality in a timeless African setting. Relax in our delightful 

chalets and charming rooms. Enjoy a rustic yet peaceful & artistic atmosphere with 

a Karakul carpet weavery, farm gallery & jewellery studio. Beautiful gardens & pool 

offering breathtaking Kalahari views. Just taste our classic, mouth-watering Namibian 

cuisine. Take a refreshing sundowner on our evening game drive. Understand & appreciate 

how real Namibian farm operates. Enjoy our spectacular hiking trails across 

mountains and veldt and a stargazing visit to private observatory. 

We’ll be your first, your last, your memories for ever. 

The ideal place to begin or end your holiday! 

T27-1-11 


Guest Farm Kiripotib • Claudia & Hans Georg von Hase 

Tel/Fax: +264 62 581419 • Cell +264 81 2432628 • hans@kiripotib.com 

www.kiripotib.com 

8 

AfriSerenity African Day Spa Experience 

Imagine being able to hear the ancient echo of 

African drum beats pounded on the rich soil of 

the motherland whilst indulging in a scrumptious 

breakfast as your eyes wander towards a 

sparkling pool. Welcome to AfriSerenity. A bush 

haven just fifteen minutes outside Windhoek 

where the spa treatment experience is not only 

authentically African but includes rituals used 

by the local tribes since the very dawn of the 

nation. 

Join us for a lingering hand and foot ritual then 

suspend your imagination as you immerse 

yourself in the country’s staple food and feel 

the nourishing effects of mielie meal exfoliation. 

And then just when you think your senses 

couldn’t be more a-tingle douse yourself in 

the healing waters of a Vichy Shower topped 

with a hot stone or calabash full body massage 

whilst overlooking the proud flora of the Khomas. 

Once your senses have been subtly soothed 

and sated, a three course gourmet lunch is 

the order of the day just before a spine tingling 

head and shoulder massage. Time ticks timidly 

to a stand still at AfriSerenity and should you 

choose an all day package you will be treated 

to no less than 7 treatments, two scrumptious 

meals and drinks of your choice throughout this 

heavenly experience. A day of pampering, perfecting 

and pleasure. 

But wait there’s more! 

AfriSerenity Intimate Villa 

If you are celebrating an anniversary or looking 

to spoil that special somebody in your life why 

not book into one of our luxurious villas and 

have your loved one waited on like the Queen 

she is in this tranquil oasis of opulence. 

Sounds wonderful doesn’t it. But you’re too 

busy and you can’ get away? 

Introducing… 

AfriSerenity Mobile 

June 2009 

Bringing all the joys of the day spa right to your 

doorstep all in a mobile and malleable, massage 

experience. 

Sparties: 

Girls Nights In, Baby and Bridal Showers. The 

AfriSerenity Mobile Spa is just a phone call away 

to turn your big day into an unforgettable experience 

of sea salt scrubbed skin with the lingering 

scents of marula. 

Corporates 

Treat your trusted and tired staff to a hearty 

hand massage and watch the week’s stress 

wash away in a whisper of marula oil, sea salt 

and lemon grass. 

AfriSerenity 

An exceptional experience from the very heart 

of our heritage, 

Due to zoning issues, we were unable to open 

as planned, but we will be re-launching and 

opening on the 4 th July 2009. 

Join the amazing team of therapists in the Main 

hall; stall M5 at the Tourism Expo, from the 27 th 

-30th May to sample their rejuvenating massage 

mastery for the introductory price of N$50.

expo 

Cape Minstrels are back at the 

Namibia Tourism Expo 


One of the highlights to look forward to at this year’s Namibia Tourism Expo, is the 

performance of Dsix Ghouma Entertainers, one of the reknowned groups of Cape 

minstrels. 

D6 Cape Town Ministrels like to entertain people with colourful faces and a spectacular 

performance by their brass band and minstrel singers. 

Each year this group performs at Green Point Stadium in Cape Town in front of around 80 

000 people and every New year’s day they parade through the streets of Cape Town. 

Beyond their performances, D6 Cape Town Minstrels also takes care of their social 

responsibility by working closely with the Cape Town police who identifies troubled youths 

and refer them to the minstrels for guidance. 

With the South African rugby team’s triumphant return to the country after winning the 

Rugby World Cup in France, the minstrels accompanied the Springboks with a 50 member 

brass band during the victory parade through the streets of Cape Town. 

The band has also performed at the opening of the Cricket World Cup; at the opening of 

the South African Parliament; at the Klein Karoo Arts festival as well as at various other 

festivals throughout South Africa. 

This is the second year the minstrels will entertain Namibians at the Tourism Expo 

and those who witnessed their performance last time, can testify to the sheer joy and 

entertainment they bring. n 

Grow Namibia 

Grow Namibia is a recycling project based in 

the sleepy town of Omaruru, in the Erongo 

Region. The project, initially discussed between 

four friends, became the reality of 

Michael and Bryony van der Merwe. 

Inspired by the numerous clean-up operations 

at the quirky town, ways of sustaining 

the environment by recycling waste were discussed. 

They decided to start recycling paper 

– into new, fortified (with products ranging 

from field flowers to elephant dung) paper, 

waste metal and glass, from old, used bottles 

of liquor into beautiful drinking glasses. 

Some ideas were thrown around and Grow 

was finally formed in early 2008. They 

feel they have found their ideal location on 

Omaruru’s Wilhelm Zeraua Street which is 

the town’s main road. The new location is 

a large warehouse with paper and glass recycling 

operations on-going at the back. All 

the employees are from the community and 

mostly female. They have also employed a 

disabled man. 

Perley Kavela, who works for Grow Namibia 

has seen how the project has grown and 

come to employ more and more people. 

“I am always surprised by all the different 

things we can do with litter, I have really 

seen some creative things come from 

the back there,” she said. 

The front of the building houses a shop 

where all their wares are displayed. This 

area is manned by Wendy Christiaan, 

receptionist and handy paper maker. 

She has not been at Grow long and yet 

she seems to love her job. “I enjoy the 

administrative side of the job and I also 

enjoy making my cards with my own 

designs and I am always busy which is 

good for me, “ she beamed. 

Christelle Maasz, Floor Manager at 

9 June 2009 

advertorial 

Grow says that they produce a maximum of 

300 textured and lined paper per day. 

“I really enjoy everything I do here at Grow. 

I like learning to design cards and boxes, I 

enjoy my admin work, l really just like everything 

I do here, I know that I am appreciated. 

I am excited about the future too,” she said. 

She continued saying: “ I hope we sell lots, 

get lots of orders so that we can expand and 

open branches in other towns.” 

Christelle informs us that there they have 

quite a variety of paper styles that they are 

introducing this line at the expo. 

“The paper range includes A4 and A5 varieties 

of paper fortified with dung, flowers and 

herbs. We also produce unique hand made 

cards, envelopes boxes, gift bags and dried 

flowers. We also make tea lights made from 

old beer bottles and glasses made from beer 

bottles cut in half. There are chandeliers, 

which are made with the waste metal.” 

Waste metal is transformed into desk pads 

with recycled paper in them, candle holders, 

holders for flyers, desks and chairs, pen holders, 

CD case holders etc. 

To get more feet into the shop, Grow is repainting 

the shop front to reveal an impressive 

logo and contact numbers and they will 

start serving home made lemonade to passer’s 

by. n

Namibia Tourism Expo 2009 

We have a large bird life for the 

Bird Lovers 

We have the following available 

for your convenience: 

Open Bar facilities and an A la 

carte restaurant. 

 

 

 

Visit Ondangwa Rest 

Camp and Tours to enjoy 

the peace of Nature in 

the Town of Ondangwa! 

5 Camp Sites 

with electricity and water points. 

N$50.00 per person per night. 

Africa a continent as real as … 

Those who dare to explore it … 

2 Permanent Tent sites 

with electricity and water points. 

N$180.00 per person per night. N$200.00 

Double per night. 

Contact Cecile Liebenberg for your bookings at 

Cell: 081 279 4164 or 065 240351 

10 

June 2009 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ERONGO PLATEAU CAMP 

im Erongogebirge 

Ideal für Naturliebhaber mit Freude am 

Wandern. Ein Campingplatz, an dem Sie Ihre 

Seele baumeln lassen können. Natur pur! 

Atemberaubende Aussicht 

Tel.: +264-64-570837 / Fax: +264-64-570387 

E-Mail: erongo@iway.na 

www.erongo.iway.na 

T 83-5-7

11 June 2009 

Namibia Tourism Expo 2009 

Impala 

Tours cc 

Individuelles Reisen 

leicht gemacht 

Selbstfahrer und 

geführte Rundreisen 

Flug Safaris 

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Namibian 

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com 

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Handy: +264 (0) 81-1273447 

impala@africaonline.com.na 

impala@iway.na

Wir sind wieder auf der NAMIBIA TOURISM 

EXPO und haben viel Neues zu bieten! 

Besuchen Sie uns in der Main Hall (Stand M21) 

und erkundigen Sie sich bei uns nach den 

Spezialangeboten für Namibier. 

Für Nachfragen stehen wir gern zur Verfügung: 

Nesi, Steffie oder Vida 

Tel: 061 222 281 

Frans Indongo Lodge 

Gelbingen Lodge 

Hohenstein Lodge 

Kaisosi River Lodge 

Living Desert Adventures 

Lüderitz Nest Hotel 

Mesosaurus Fossil Camp 

Mola-Mola Safaris 

Namtib Desert Lodge 

Nubib Nature Camp 

Okahandja Country Hotel 

River Guesthouse 

Rostock Ritz Desert Lodge 

Ruacana Eha Lodge 

Sandune Lodge 

Sandwich Harbour 4x4 

SeaSide Hotel & Spa 

Zelda Game & Guest Farm 

12 

June 2009 


Namibia jetzt 

als E-Paper 

Namibia bequem 

am eigenen PC 

entdecken! 

Klicken Sie 

einfach auf 

www.az.com.na 

MW20081952

13 June 2009

journey 

The road less travelled: 

Namib Naukluft Park offers a rewarding detour to the coast 

The fascinating Welwitschia Mirabilis occurring 

along the popular Welwitschia drive. 

By Marc Springer 

It is a recurring and distinctly Namibian 

phenomenon: As soon as a public holiday 

presents the chance for some relaxation 

over a long weekend, thousands of vacationers 

flock to the coast. 

Feeling pressed for time most of these travellers 

use the main tarred road (B2) connecting 

the central areas of the country to the popular 

seaside towns of Swakopmund, Henties Bay 

and Walvis Bay, thus depriving themselves of 

World of Hygiene cc 

63 Calcium Street Prosperita • Tel: 061 242210 

• Cleaning Detergents SABS 

& HACCP approved products 

• Washroom dispensers 

• Cleaning trolleys 

• Industrial vacuum cleaners 

• Floor cleaning machinery & equipment 

• Full hygiene colourcoded range 

• Full hotel amenities, 

accessories & hotel linen 

• Guestroom 

interior 

designing 

A lone quiver tree rises from the plains in the vicinity 

of Blutkopje. • Photos: Marc Springer 

the much more scenic, albeit slightly more 

time consuming routes through the northern 

section of the Namib Naukluft Park. 

Holidaymakers who resist the collective rush 

to the coast and want to reward themselves 

with a leisurely journey through unspoilt nature 

can choose between three picturesque 

mountain routes – being the Bosua, Us and 

Gamsberg Passes – leading over the central 

plateau of Khomas Hochland and descending 

westwards towards the coast through 

the Namib section of the Naukluft Park. The- 

We also do food 

hygiene management 

systems, 

hygiene auditing 

& staff training 

Come and visit us at the TOURISM 

EXPO in the Lifestyle Hall, B 

14 

se three public roads (C28, D1982 and C14) 

don’t require a permit and offer a relatively 

direct, if comparatively slow route to the 

coast. 

For people wanting to explore this unique 

part of the Namib desert nestled between 

the Kuiseb and Swakop rivers it is, however 

advisable to get a permit at Namibia Wildlife 

Resorts (NWR), required to drive on the 

various restricted gravel tracks traversing the 

park and allowing them to spend a night at 

one of the eight campsites in the area. 

June 2009 

View from the top of Blutkopje with the Langer Heinrich 

Mountain in the background. 

Flora and fauna 

Such an overnight stay is virtually a must in order 

to fully appreciate the vastness and isolation 

of the northern section of the Naukluft Park 

which may seem like a barren wasteland at 

first glance but has much to offer and warrants 

a closer look. After all the true magic of the desert 

often reveals itself in small details which 

are not readily apparent to the hasty traveller 

hoping to reach his destination at the coast in 

the shortest possible time. 

People who pause to take in their surround- 

Do you have relatives visiting? Offer them a chance to see Namibia with short trips to the dunes or Etosha starting from N$2600 pp for 3 days. 

Wild Dog Safaris 

29088 Namibia Expo Ad.indd 1 5/19/09 9:21:12 AM 

Tourismus im Internet: www.az.com.na 

Tel: 061-257642 

Fax: 061-240802 

www.wilddog-safaris.com

ings will be richly rewarded 

by this section of the Namib 

which features few dunes 

commonly associated with 

deserts. Instead the area is 

characterized mostly by expansive 

open plains which 

seem flat and featureless 

except for a few rocky outcrops 

and occasional quiver 

trees and camel thorns. After 

a rare rain shower this 

granite escarpment is transformed 

into rich grasslands 

attracting herds of springbok, 

gemsbok and even 

Hartmann’s mountain zebra 

that often gather around artificial 

waterholes like Gemsbockwater, 

Hotsas and Zebrapan. 

Campsites 

Fittingly for the surreal landscape 

they are located in, the 

campsites have alien sounding 

names like Ganab, Bloedkopje, 

Kriess-se-Rus and 

Mirabib. And like their desolate and inhospitable 

surroundings they offer no facilities to speak 

of so visitors need to bring there own firewood, 

water, fuel and provisions. But then these secluded 

sites are not designed for the demanding 

camper expecting luxury but rather for nature 

lovers wanting to enjoy the solitude and tranquillity 

of a night under the stars. 

The most popular of the campsites is the one 

at Bloedkopje (or blood hill), a large granite inselberg 

named after the dark red colour it assumes 

in the glowing sunlight during early morning 

or late afternoon. The outcrop rises from 

the Tinkas Flats near the Swakop River and offers 

the chance to explore the many bizarre rock 

formations in the immediate surrounding of the 

camp site. A climb on top of the granite protrusion 

provides a panoramic view over the plains 

below, dotted with large quiver trees and aloes 

with the prominent Langer Heinrich Mountain 

rising in the distance. 

Two other interesting inselbergs where campers 

can spend the night among the fascinating 

rock sculptures carved out by the wind are located 

at Mirabib and Vogelfederberg. At the former 

there is evidence that this rock overhang 

was used as a shelter by nomadic people as 

early as 9000 years ago. The latter of the two sites, 

being the closest to the ocean, receives the 

most moisture from oceanic fog, sustaining a 

In unserem Kopierwerk kopieren wir Auflagen 

ab 10 Stück im Expressdienst. Wir 

bedrucken CD/DVD in Farbe. 

Für die Verpackung bieten wir an: 

1. Die Jewel Box mit Standard Tray, die Verpackung 

für Musik CD und DVD. 

2. Oder die Slim Box 5,2 mm mit schwarzem Tray, 

für CD,1 Covercard oder Booklet, schön flach und 

sicher. 

3. Die große DVD Video Box für 1,4,oder 8 DVDs mit 

A4 Papiereinlage und Booklet. 

Entwürfe für CD / DVD Aufdrucke und A4 Papiereinlage 

tätigen wir Inhouse und kostenlos. 

Erkundigen Sie sich über unsere Sonderangebote für 

Musiker CDs und DVD Pakete. 

Weitere Dienste des Buschkino Studios: 

Digitalisieren von Videobändern auf DVD High 

Definition Videoschnitt, BLU RAY DVD Mastering HD 

Namibia Video Archief und High Res Namibia Bilder 

(Bitte beachten: Keine Kopien von kommerziell erworbenen 

Datenträgern oder Datenträgern von denen das Kopieren ausdrücklich 

verboten ist). 

Nachfragen an Gert Keding 

Buschkino Namibia cc 

Tel (061) 220961, Fax: 088613720 

buschkino@iway.na 

A rare thunder storm brewing over the arid northern section of The Namib Naukluft Park. 

whole range of fascinating succulents. 

Kuiseb River 

Another interesting campsite is the one at 

Homeb, in relatively close proximity to the 

abandoned Hope Mine and Gorob Mine. Situated 

at the banks of the Kuiseb River this area is 

home to a settlement of the Topnaar. The Kuiseb 

divides the dune belt and the gravel plains 

of the Namibib and acts as a natural boundary 

to the shifting sands to the South. Though dry 

throughout most of the year, the Kuiseb comes 

down in periodic floods preventing the dunes 

from moving further North. 

Positioned directly at the bank of the Kuiseb and 

shaded by big acacia trees, the camp site offers 

visitors the chance to climb the dunes on the 

other side of the ephemeral river and see how 

it separates the two different environments to 

the North and South of it. The unique convergence 

of these vastly different landscapes and 

their distinct ecosystems has generated much 

scientific interest and is one of the reasons why 

Namibia’s Desert Research Centre Gobabeb 

(see story elsewhere) is situated on the Kuiseb 

to the West of Homeb. 

The Kuiseb is not just exceptional on account of 

being a natural barrier to the dune belt, but also 

by virtue of having created the famous Kuiseb 

Canyon. A picnic site located at the top 

of a vantage point overlooking the canyon 

provides a spectacular view over 

the rugged canyon beneath with the distinctive 

shape of the Gamsberg in the 

background. From the view point a footpath 

leads to a nearby overhang where geologists 

Henno Martin and Hermann Korn found refuge 

for three years during World War II as recounted 

in Martin’s book The Sheltering Desert. 

Welwitschia Drive 

Apart from the lagoon at Sandwich Harbour 

near the coast which is fed by fresh water and 

serves as a sanctuary for a large number of 

coastal birds, the most popular attraction in the 

park is the Welwitschia Drive. This round trip, 

which takes about three hours to negotiate is 

mostly used for short excursions by day visitors 

from Swakopmund and features 13 numbered 

stone beacons indicating particular points 

of interest. 

Among them are the otherworldly Moon Landscape, 

the famous Welwitschia Plains, the astonishing 

lichen fields and the oasis of Goanikontes. 

Some sections of the picturesque route 

follow the course of the Swakop River which 

has carved out the lunar Moon Landscape best 

seen in the slanting light of early morning or late 

afternoon. It came into existence as the river cut 

through the softer surface deposits which were 

laid down some 460 million years ago when 

the area’s climate was wetter than today. The 

scenery is characterized by dark strips of dolerite 

rock which were formed when lava welled 

up through cracks in the existing grey granite. 

After cooling it formed dark, hard bands of rock 

which resisted erosion more than the granite 

15 June 2009 

and thus formed the spine of 

many ridges in the area. 

Equally fascinating are the extensive 

lichen fields which cover 

some areas along the route and 

consist of small plants which 

are in fact the result of a symbiotic 

relationship between an 

alga, producing food by photosynthesis, 

and a fungus, providing 

a physical structure. Some 

of the lichens that look like fragments 

of dead plant material 

that lie loose on the surface 

are thought to be hundreds of 

years old, and all are exceedingly 

fragile. They grow excruciatingly 

slowly, something an old 

ox wagon track attests to which 

was left decades ago and is still 

clearly visible because the lichens 

that were destroyed at 

the time have not yet fully re-established. 

Since they grow less 

than 1 mm a year it is extremely 

important for the ecology of the 

area that motorists should keep 

to the existing roads at all times. 

The lichens survive by extracting moisture from 

fog in the air and change colour very rapidly if 

sprinkled with water. 

A similarly fascinating plant found along the way 

is the Welwitschia Mirabilis which is endemic to 

the Namib and grows on the expanse of gravel 

and sand in the area. The oldest specimens 

of this celebrated plant are thought to be between 

1500 and 2000 years old. Most of these 

plants, among them the big Welwitschia which 

is fenced in are concentrated east of the confluence 

of the Khan and Swakop Rivers. The Welwitschia 

consists of only two leaves which are 

broad and flat and usually split into several different 

sections. The leaves can grow to a length of 

between 2 and 4 meters, keeping the soil under 

them cool and moist. The plant survives the arid 

conditions by absorbing moisture from fog condensing 

on the leaves and from underground 

water it extracts through roots that can grow up 

to 30 meters deep. 

Like the Welwitschia the northern section of the 

Namib Naukluft Park is unique and well worth 

a visit. So the next time you take a trip the coast, 

consider using the road less travelled and go on 

a journey of discovery through this exceptional 

environment. n 

For further information: 

Namibia Wildlife Resorts 

Tel: ++264 (0)61 285 7200 

Fax: ++264 (0)61 224 900 

Email: reservations@nwr.com.na 

Web: www.nwr.com.na

Travelling to the Waterberg Plateau Park 

resembles a journey back in time. This 

holds true both in a geological sense and 

in the context of Namibia’s history. 

From a scientific perspective a visit to Waterberg 

feels like a trip to the past, providing a rare glimpse 

into the genesis of the earth. The birth of the 

ancient sandstone formation can be traced to 

the Triassic period up to 200 million years ago, 

when dinosaurs ruled the planet. Some of these 

prehistoric reptiles left their legacy in the form 

of foot impressions embedded in the sandstone 

A journey back in time: 

Discover the secrets of Waterberg Plateau Park 

on top of the plateau, a permanent testimony to 

the millions of years the massif has endured. 

Geology 

Created when pressure in the earth’s crust lifted 

the so called Karoo layers millions of 

years ago, the plateau owes its elevated position 

to the resistance of the hardy sandstone 

against the forces of weathering. As a result 

the table mountain towering about 200 meters 



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above the surrounding plains remains as a relic 

of the sedimentary rock that was raised above 

the landscape below. The product of the seismic 

forces that gave rise to the Waterberg is imposing 

and visible from afar: The table mountain 

is about 48 kilometres long and between 8 

and 16 kilometres wide – impressive measurements 

by any standard. 

The most striking feature of the formation is 

the vertical cliff that surrounds the plateau like a 

halo and divides it into two separate and clearly 

visible strata. These two layers comprise a 

lower one of about 350 meters consisting of a 

conglomerate of various sediments and a top 

section of sandstone which forms the perpendicular 

cliffs of between 70 and 75 meters encircling 

the plateau. 

This characteristic Geology is generally considered 

to be responsible for the name Waterberg. 

It refers to the phenomenon that the permeable 

sandstone of the plateau absorbs rain water 

which seeps through the porous rock until it 

16 

reaches the impervious clay layers beneath and 

emerges further down the slopes in form of various 

fountains. It is this steady flow of water 

which supports the seemingly subtropical flora 

on top of the highland giving it a lush green appearance 

contrasting sharply with the acacia savannah 

at the bottom of the plateau. 

Animal sanctuary 

Another trait of the unique crown of cliffs surrounding 

the mountain is that this natural barrier 

makes the plateau virtually inaccessible and 

journey View from the plateau 

of the Waterberg 

showing the vertical 

cliff that surrounds the 

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thereby creates an ideal haven for animals. This 

attribute was one of the reasons the area was 

declared a national park in 1972 creating a protected 

area of 405 square kilometres that serves 

as a sanctuary for rare and endangered animals. 

In the following years several artificial watering 

places were set up on the plateau and 

some rare species released, among them sable, 

white and black rhino, eland, and buffalo. 

June 2009 

In addition the park harbours many other common 

antelopes, including kudu, impala, gemsbok, 

klipspringer and steenbok as well as predators 

like leopard, cheetah, brown hyena, caracal 

and black-backed jackal. Of particular interest 

to ornithologists are the over 200 species 

of birds, including the only colony of the rare 

and endangered Cape vulture in Namibia who 

benefit from a feeding programme near Okarakuvisa. 

In 1984 the plateau was proclaimed a wilderness 

area ensuring that it retains its pristine cha- 


racter. The untouched nature of the park is what 

attracts most visitors, who can explore the area 

on foot using one of the many nature trails that 

meander around the Waterberg Rest Camp situated 

at the foot of the mountain and named 

after the first director of Namibia’s Department 

of Nature Conservation, Bernabé de la Bat. 

Hiking trails 

Among those trails the one winding to the roof 

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of the mountain is the most popular, leading to 

a viewpoint on top of the plateau which rewards 

the hiker with a magnificent panorama of the 

surrounding area. For adventurous visitors there 

are unguided hikes available on the plateau. 

Some of these walks require several days and 

lead past basic huts where hikers can spend the 

night. Furthermore nature lovers can accompany 

an armed game warden on one of the guided 

hikes on top of the plateau offering a perfect 

opportunity to explore the diverse flora and 

fauna of the area. The hikes have to be booked 

in advance and participants need to bring and 

carry their own provisions and sleeping bags. 

For less energetic travellers who are unwilling 

or unable to investigate the plateau on foot, 

park rangers offer game drives to the top of the 

highland. While endangered species roam freely 

in the natural enclosure created by the cliffs 

en-circling the plateau sightings of rare animals 

are not guaranteed as the vegetation is rather 

dense and the shy animals often elusive. Game 

drives leave in the early morning as well as mid 

afternoon and can be booked at a fee at the 

camp office. Private vehicles are not allowed to 

drive to the top of the plateau. 

Camp Site 

Nestling at the foot of the plateau lays the 

Bernabé de la Bat Rest Camp, managed by Namibia 

Wildlife Resorts (NWR) and considered 

by many to be one of the most attractive in Namibia. 

The camp huddled directly beneath the 

towering cliffs above was designed to blend in 

with the surroundings. As such little of the natural 

vegetation was disturbed and reddish brown 

sandstone bricks were used during construction 

of the facilities that echo the colour of the rocky 

outcrops guarding the camp. 

The recently refurbished lodgings can accommodate 

over 200 people and offer 69 chalets 

sleeping between 1 to 4 people that are equipped 

with a hotplate, refrigerator and kettle. There 

are also shaded camp sites with communal 

ablution facilities as well as a petrol station 

and a shop available where frozen meat, tinned 

goods and curios can be bought. The restaurant, 

bar and kiosk are housed in what used 

to be a Rhenish mission station, constructed in 

1873 and later destroyed. In 1891 the historic 

structure was rebuilt and in 1908 converted to 

a police station before being turned into a restaurant 

when the rest camp was established 

in 1989. Other amenities include an open air 

swimming pool with a spectacular view of the 

plateau. 

Because the camp site is not fenced and the- 

re are various paths extending from the site 

through the bush, guests regularly come into 

contact with game wandering around freely in 

the environment. While this offers the chance 

of viewing animals like the diminutive Damara 

Dik-Dik foraging around the camp it does pose 

some danger as well. This is particularly true for 

the many baboons that frequent the bungalows 

on a regular basis looking for food. 

Turbulent history 

In close proximity to the camp an old graveyard 

can be seen as a testament of one of the most 

tragic events in Namibian history occurring at 

the Waterberg. It was here at the foothills of the 

mountain that in August 1904 about 40.000 

Herero were surrounded by troops of the German 

colonial forces and almost annihilated. 

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The surviving men, women and children were 

forced to flee eastwards in the direction of the 

British protectorate Bechuanaland (today Botswana). 

During their retreat thousands of Herero 

were killed by pursuing soldiers of the Schutztruppe 

and many others perished due to a lack 

of food and water while crossing the Kalahari 

Desert. 

While the old cemetery serving as the last resting 

place of more than 70 soldiers of the 

Schutztruppe is a painful reminder of one of the 

darkest chapters in Namibian history there are 

other more uplifting remnants of the past to be 

found at Waterberg. These are the inheritance 

of the San people who were the first human inhabitants 

of the area and left rock engravings 

believed to be several thousand years old concentrated 

around a large waterhole at Okaraku- 

17 June 2009 

The old Rhenish mission station now 

houses the restaurant of the rest camp. 

visa on top of the plateau. 

Being situated between Windhoek and Etosha 

the Waterberg Plateau Park is often treated as a 

mere stopover between these two destinations. 

Considering its diverse flora and fauna and its 

rich natural history the park is however a most 

rewarding attraction in its own right and deserving 

of a more prominent position among the 

many places of interest Namibia has to offer. n 

For further information: 

Namibia Wildlife Resorts 

Email: reservations@nwr.com.na 

Web: www.nwr.com.na 

The old cemetery 

serves as a 

painful reminder 

of one of the darkest 

chapters in 

Namibian history. 

• Photos: 

Marc Springer 

Waterberg Wilderness Lodge 

Email: info@waterberg-wilderness.com 

Web: www.waterberg-wilderness.com 

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activities 

escending into 

nother world: 

ave diving 

n Namibia 


Being an arid country aptly named after 

a desert, Namibia is not generally 

associated with recreational diving. 

hough the country boasts a coastline exending 

over 1500 kilometres the oceanic 

onditions are mostly unfavourable for divng 

due to strong currents, rough seas and 

oor visibility. Equally unsuitable for underater 

excursions are the few artificial storage 

ams, which are predominantly shallow and 

urky. So what does Namibia have to offer 

ivers looking for adventure? 

The simple answer is cave diving”, says 

tephanus Viljoen, owner of Otjikoto Diving 

nterprises (ODE). His company is named afer 

Lake Otjikoto, a sinkhole located near the 

ining town of Tsumeb about 450 kilomeres 

north of the capital city Windhoek. While 

t is not the only one of its kind, it is a lot more 

ccessible than similar sinkholes like Harasib, 

ake Guinas and Dragons Breath and thus 

he premier site for cave diving in Namibia. 

ake Otjikoto is situated en-route to the Etoha 

National Park and derives its name from 

he Herero language which loosely translated 

eans “the place too deep for cattle to drink”. 

SOLITAIRE GUEST FARM 

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The popular tourist attraction was formed 

when the roof of an underground dolomite 

cave collapsed leaving a steep cylindrical hole 

with a diameter of about 102 meters and a 

surface area of 7075 square meters. As was 

the case with nearby Lake Guinas the cave 

evolved when subterranean dolomite rock 

was dissolved over millions of years by carbonic 

acid contained in water that slowly percolated 

through cracks in the rock formation. 

This lead to an underground grotto filled with 

water that was partially exposed when a section 

of its roof caved in. 

Believed to be part of an underground ri- 

ver system, the lake tapers into a lateral cave 

system making it impossible to determine 

Walter & Simone Swarts 

Tel.: +264 62 682033 • Fax: +264 62 682034 

E-mail: solgf@iway.na oder 

reservations@solitaireguestfarm.com 

Website: www.solitaireguestfarm.com 

T16-3-7 

18 

Ammunition 

boxes 

dumped 

into the lake 

by retreating 

German 

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E-Mail: rapmund@iafrica.com.na 

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June 2009 

MW20081584 

Divers ascending 

to the 

surface of the 

lake. • Underwaterphotos: 

Stephanus 

Viljoen 

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Lake Otjikoto is the premier site for cave diving in Namibia. • Photo: Marc Springer 

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its exact depth, estimated to be in access of 

142 meters. Many legends surround Otjikoto 

among them the myth that it is either bottomless 

or connected to other inland lakes 

and contains a safe filled with Millions of gold 

coins deposited there by retreating German 

soldiers during the First World War. Other stories 

tell of the ghost of a German soldier who 

drowned in the lake haunting the site and of 

whirlpools dragging swimmers and divers 

down. 

While these rumours are most likely little 

more than fairy tales what is true is that 

the lake contains weapons, artillery and ammunition 

wagons dumped into the water by 

German soldiers on the brink of surrender to 

Union troops in 1915. Some of this material 

the German Schutztruppe didn’t want to fall 

into enemy hands was retrieved and a few 

of the recovered and restored field guns are 

now exhibited at the museum in Tsumeb. 

“These relics are the main drawing card attracting 

divers to Otjikoto”, says Viljoen. But 

he is quick to point out, that diving in the lake 

is potentially dangerous and requires special 

skills learned through advanced technical 

training. While this kind of tuition is offered 

locally by certified diving instructors like Viljoen, 

he stresses that it is very intensive and 

time consuming. For a novice with no experience 

in deep diving it takes several weeks 

of theoretical and practical training before being 

able to decend to a depth of beyond 30 

meters. “Scuba diving in Otjikoto is thus not 

geared to the ordinary tourist who only stays 

in Namibia for a short period and has no prior 

experience in deep diving” Viljoen emphasizes. 

Being classified as a type III sinkhole by 

the World Underwater Federation (CMAS) 

all qualifications are closely scrutinized prior 

to allowing an applicant to descend into 

the chasm. In addition a qualified diving in- 

19 June 2009 

structor is required to accompany each dive 

for safety reasons. 

Applicants need to be at least 12 years old, 

should have some experience of cave diving, 

and ought to have completed at least 75 

to 100 dives of which 50 should be below 

40 meters. Practice in buoyancy control is of 

particular importance at Otjikoto as the entire 

bottom of the lake and walls of the overhangs 

are covered in fine sand and silt which can 

reduce visibility to zero when churned up by 

divers. 

Other than the required diving qualifications 

clients need to submit a medical fitness test 

certifying that s/he is not suffering from Asthma 

or Diabetes. Furthermore they ought to 

have some experience in decompression diving 

and be in possession of DAN insurance to 

cover all medical and evacuation expenses in 

case of an accident. 

“Otjikoto is classified as an underwater museum 

and managed by the Namibian Underwater 

Federation (NUF) on behalf of the National 

Monuments Council”, explains Viljoen 

and continues: “For that reason the lake is not 

accessible to the general public for diving but 

only available to people that are assisted and 

accompanied by members of the NUF”. Since 

being declared a national monument it is illegal 

to add or remove anything from the lake. 

This rule is strictly enforced by the three organisations 

allowed to use the lake for diving 

purposes being Otjikoto Diving Enterprises, 

Windhoek Underwater Club and Skeleton 

Coast Divers. 

Because the site is kept undeveloped for aesthetic 

reasons divers need to carry their full 

equipment down to the edge of the lake. 

From there they have to climb down a ladder 

for six meters or jump down with full kit 

to enter the water. The NUF has a small piece 

of land available at the site that is used for 

camping purposes during diving expeditions 

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and features basic sanitary facilities as well as electricity 

connections. 

Except for the historical weaponry a further point of 

interest for divers are the eight different species of 

fish that occur in the lake, among them the critically 

endangered Tilapia guinasana, which is endemic to 

and was discovered in nearby Lake Guinas and introduced 

to Otjikoto to aid in its conservation. The 

fish in Otjikoto, many of which are brightly coloured, 

have attracted much scientific attention by virtue of 

having evolved in such a closed environment and 

having adapted their behaviour accordingly. 

When asked to describe a dive in Lake Otjikoto, Viljoen 

pauses for a while and says: “When you dive 

down into the abyss it’s like submerging in a world 

of absolute peace, silence and tranquillity. You leave 

all your problems at the surface and immerse yourself 

in a weightless environment where you feel suspended 

in space and time. Though I have dived in 

Otjikoto on many occasions it is a thrilling and unique 

experience every single time.” 

For safety reasons divers have to follow a line into the 

lake leading to various points along the way, among 

them the `reef´ at 28 meters depth, the kudu horn` 

(38 meters) and the `toilet` (at 42 meters). These orientation 

points were named by divers and refer respectively 

to a natural sand and silt formation, a well 

preserved kudu horn and a ceramic toilet that was 

dumped in the lake. 

Except for these signposts divers use another landmark 

55 meters below the surface that they refer to 

as the `shopping mall´. “The shopping mall is situated 

directly beneath the overhang from where divers 

enter the water”, Viljoen explains and adds: “Because 

many divers prefer to jump into the water with full kit 

rather than use the ladder, some of them loose items 

Besuchen Sie den Stand von 

Tourismus Namibia auf der 

Namibia Tourism Expo in der 

Präsidentenhalle. 

like torches or watches that accumulate on the ledge 

we started referring to as the shopping mall.” 

So what makes Otjikoto different and special compared 

to other diving sites in Namibia? “The most 

obvious advantage is that Otjikoto offers good visibility 

compared to the rather gloomy conditions prevailing 

along the coast and in local storage dams”, 

Viljoen explains. Because Otjikoto is an isolated lake, 

fed mostly by water seeping through the surrounding 

limestone it is not muddied by sediment introduced 

through rivers. As a result, the water in the 

lake is usually clear with visibility reaching 15 meters 

on good days. 

While the water level in the lake has 

fluctuated and risen by 2.5 meters in 

recent months what is constant is its 

temperature which remains steady 

at between 22 degrees near the surface 

and 18 degrees in the lower layers. 

Coupled with the complete absence 

of any currents this makes Otjikoto an ideal 

place for diving – something the 80 to 100 clients 

hosted there annually by members of the 

Namibian Underwater Federation can attest to. 

When asked what fascinates his clients most about 

diving in Otjikoto the reply from Viljoen is prompt: “I 

think most of them are particularly captivated by the 

old armaments situated at a depth of between 45 

and 55 meters. Due to a lack of oxygen in the water 

the relics are very well preserved and their presence 

elevates a regular dive into a journey into the past.” 

In order to share this unique experience with as 

many people as possible, Viljoen also offers customized 

diving excursions for individuals and makes the 

required equipment available which can cost up to 

8000 Namibian Dollars, excluding wetsuit, snorkel, 

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20 

MW20084543 

June 2009 

An old Kudu 

horn is one of 

the attractions 

for divers. 

fins and mask. While it is more lucrative to 

take several clients on a diving excursion simultaneously 

Viljoen offers a simple explanation 

for considering individuals as well: 

“For me it is not about the money but about 

the love for diving that I want to share with as 

many people as possible.” n

21 June 2009

Von Jan Grundmann 

Am Swakopmunder Flugplatz komme 

ich mit Verspätung an, deshalb 

geht es sofort los, keine Zeit mehr 

zum Nachdenken über das, was da noch 

kommen mag: Paul, mein Tandempartner, 

nimmt mich gleich zur Seite. „Hier, 

das ist deiner“, sagt er und reicht mir einen 

farbenfrohen rot-gelben Ganzkörper- 

Anzug. Ich stülpe ihn über meinen Körper, 

dann beginnt das Trockentraining: Wie 

man sich kurz vor dem entscheidenden 

Moment, dem Absprung aus dem Flugzeug, 

zu verhalten hat, nämlich den Kopf 

weit nach hinten lehnen, an Pauls Schulter 

möglichst, „und dann nicht vergessen 

zu atmen“, sagt der 36-Jährige, erklärt mir 

weiter, wie man dann frei fällt, die Arme 

am besten nicht ganz ausstrecken, sondern 

anwinkeln. Ich liege also auf dem 

Boden und winkel meine Arme an, noch 

schaue ich auf eine Trainingsmatte, doch 

in einigen Minuten werde ich auf die Erde 

schauen, 10 000 Fuß über dem Boden, 

das sind exakt 3048 Meter, die goldgelbe 

Wüste unter mir. Diese Vorstellung setzt 

das erste Adrenalin frei, mein Herz beginnt, 

etwas schneller zu schlagen, beruhigt 

sich aber wieder, als wir in den Minibus 

steigen und Richtung Rollfeld fahren. 

DV8 SAATCHI & SAATCHI FNB103/09 

freizeit 

Mit 220 

Stundenkilometern 

durch den 

Himmel rasen 

Die karge Vegetation der Wüste zieht an 

mir vorbei, etwas teilnahmslos schaue ich 

aus dem Fenster, sehe gelben Sand, kleine 

Sträucher – und in der Ferne unsere 

Chessna stehen. Ich trage bereits mein 

Gurtzeug, das hat mir Paul bereits während 

der Trockenübung umgeschnallt, 

doch so richtig realisiere ich das Leder 

an meinem Körper erst jetzt. Unser Pilot 

Matthias Röttcher bittet uns, in der weißen 

Propellermaschine Platz zu nehmen. 

Ich folge den Anweisungen, etwas paralysiert, 

die Aufregung nimmt wieder zu, als 

Matthias die Maschine anlässt und wir in 

Richtung Himmel abheben. 

Eine knappe halbe Stunde dauert der Flug 

bis auf 10 000 Fuß, unter uns ist nichts 

als gelber Sandboden, über uns ist nichts 

außer blauem Himmel und einer gleißenden, 

weißen Sonne, Swakopmund liegt 

heute leider unter einer dicken Nebelglocke, 

auch die Dünen und der Atlantik werden 

von Wolken bedeckt. Unterwegs verbindet 

Paul unser Gurtzeug mit mächtigen 

Karabinerhaken, er besänftigt mich, 

fragt, ob alles okay sei, ich nicke, die Vorstellung, 

dass er mein Engel auf dem späteren 

Direktflug zurück zur Erde werden 

Visit the 2009 Tourism Expo and pay for your special domestic 

holiday with your FNB Visa Debit or FNB Visa Credit Card and you 

stand a chance to win double tickets to be a part of the soccer 

fever at the FIFA Confederations Cup 2009! 

Terms and conditions apply 

22 

wird, macht mir 

erstaunlicherweise 

nichts aus, 

vielleicht liegt es 

auch daran, dass es sein 4258. s e i n 

Sprung wird. Die Zahl schafft in meinem 

Körper beruhigende Sicherheit, während 

Pilot Matthias die Chessna auf 10 000 

Fuß Höhe hochschraubt. Dann gibt er das 

Startsignal, alle Springer haben zudem ein 

GPS-Messgerät am Arm, das ihnen die aktuelle 

Höhe anzeigt, doch egal, jetzt wird 

es Ernst: Auch ein Kameramann ist an 

Bord, damit der Sprung auf Fotos und Videos 

verewigt werden kann, jedenfalls öffnet 

Kameramann Dries van Zyl jetzt die 

Tür, steigt mit einem Fuß auf den Reifen, 

hält sich am Rahmen fest, und der ohrenbetäubende 

Krach des Flugwindes sorgt 

für einige Adrenalin-Ladungen, die mein 

Körper jetzt und für die kommenden fünf 

Minuten unaufhörlich ausschütten wird. 

Zunächst aber fliegt ein weiteres Tandem- 

Win tickets to the FIFA 

Confederations Cup 

2009, with Visa! 

You can also win 1 of 8 uniquely FNB branded soccer balls 

All you need to do is SMS the words “FNB Tourism” to 34778. 

FNB Namibia Ltd and Namibia Tourism Board invite you to pay for 

your domestic holiday offered by any of the participating Namibian 

tourism businesses as displayed in the NTB’s Affordable Holidays For 

Namibians brochure, to stand a chance to win tickets. 

June 2009 

Mit mächtigen 

Karabinerhaken 

verbunden sausen 

Paul Tripodi und ich 

gemeinsam zur Erde. 

Paar zurück zur Erde: Beide rutschen 

auf dem Chessna-Boden 

bis zur geöffneten Tür, dann lässt 

Kameramann van Zyl die Hände los, 

Sekundenbruchteile später verschwindet 

auch das Tandem-Paar aus dem Flugzeug 

und stürzt in die Tiefe. Meine Augen 

liegen konzentriert auf dem Platz, an dem 

die Beiden kurz vor dem Freifall noch gesessen 

haben, mein Herzschlag wird immer 

schneller, und jetzt gibt mir Paul das 

Startsignal, an die Tür zu rutschen. Unser 

Kameramann David James hat Position 

bezogen, ein Bein auf dem Reifen, ein 

Bein im Flugzeug. Ich sitze am Rand der 

Chessna, ich kann den Erdboden sehen, 

ich lehne meinen Kopf zurück an Pauls 

Schulter, mein Herz rast, ich wehre mich – 

doch dann fallen wir schon. 

Was ich zunächst spüre, ist der Druck in 

meinem Kopf, was ich höre, ist der unglaublich 

laute Wind, der uns umgibt, 

was ich sehe, ist unsere weiße Chessna 

von unten, V5-NSK steht auf ihrem Flü-

gel, wir drehen uns weiter, jetzt sehe ich 

die Erde, wir stürzen auf den gelben Boden 

zu, Paul zündet einen ersten, kleinen 

Schirm, der unsere Geschwindigkeit verringert 

und Stabilität geben soll, mein Körper 

fühlt sich unglaublich schwer an, wie 

ein Stein, mein Magen wird ganz leicht, 

dann gibt mir Paul das Signal, ich könne 

jetzt meine Arme bewegen, ich versuche 

es, und ja, es geht, ich fange an zu jubeln, 

zu schreien, das Atmen fällt schwer, 

der Wind ist bei 220 Stundenkilometern 

nicht gerade zimperlich, der Kameramann 

ist direkt vor mir, ich schreie ihm zu, verdammt, 

ich bin jetzt im Himmel, das fühle 

ich aber nur, das sage ich nicht, ich kann 

nichts sagen, nur schreien, fast beginne 

ich zu strampeln, es ist, als tauche man 

in tiefes Wasser ein, doch jetzt sehe ich alles 

um mich herum, ohne Orientierung, 

wie hoch wir noch sind, weil das wüstige 

Hochland so flach ist, es sind 30 Sekunden, 

in denen wir 5000 Fuß, also 1500 

Meter tief fallen, es kommt mir vor wie 

mehrere Minuten, das merke ich jetzt, da 

Paul den Fallschirm zündet, Gott sei Dank, 

er geht auf, doch mein Körper, besonders 

mein Magen drückt weiter nach unten, 

der Fallschirm aber zieht uns wieder 

mehrere hundert Meter nach oben, dagegen 

ist jede Achterbahn wohl ein sanftes 

Spielplatz-Vergnügen für Mimosen. Jetzt 

atme ich das erste Mal, seitdem wir die 

10 000 Fuß verlassen haben, wieder bewusst 

und beginne, diese Freiheit im Himmel 

zu genießen. Wir sind jetzt auf einer 

Höhe von 5000 Fuß, und Paul lässt mich 

die Schlaufen probieren, die die Flugrichtung 

des Fallschirms steuern. Ich ziehe die 

linke Schlaufe etwas nach unten, der Fallschirm 

dreht nach links, wir sitzen schräg 

zur Erde und drehen nach links ab, dann 

übernimmt wieder Paul, jetzt fällt mir auch 

das längliche Gebäude am Boden auf, das 

wir ansteuern, ja, es ist unser Startplatz, 

wir drehen noch mehrere galante Kurven 

und landen schließlich nach fünf Minuten 

Sinkflug wieder auf dem Wüstenboden, 

der Fallschirm sackt hinter uns zusammen, 

Kameramann Davis steht vor mir, 

ich hebe meine Arme in den Himmel und 

schreie ein weiteres, letztes Mal. 

Viele Minuten sitze ich nun im Sand, mein 

Körper kehrt ganz langsam wieder zu normalen 

Funktionen zurück, das Adrenalin 

ist aufgebraucht, der Herzschlag beruhigt 

sich. Ich schaue einem weiteren Tandem- 

Der Moment, 

an dem das 

Herz stehen 

zu bleiben 

scheint: Der 

Absprung aus 

der Chessna in 

einer Höhe von 

10 000 Fuß, 

direkt im freien 

Fall in Richtung 

Erde. 

23 June 2009 

Damit der Sprung 

für immer in 

Erinnerung bleiben 

kann, wird das 

Tandem von einem 

Kameramann 

begleitet. Unser 

Fotograf Davis 

James nach 

sicherer Landung 

mit Technik- 

Equipment am 

Kopf, einer digitalen 

Spiegelreflex- 

Kamera sowie 

einer Videokamera. 

• Fotos: Ground 

Rush Adventures 

(3), Grundmann (1) 

sprung zu, zwei ältere englische Damen 

sind nun an der Reihe, als die beiden nach 

einer halben Stunde wieder auf der Erde 

landen, ruft eine von ihnen: „Wow! It was 

better than Sex“, ich lächele und atme tief 

durch, dieser Nachmittag war beides: absolut 

gigantisch und absolut grenzwertig. 

Beim anschließenden Bier in der Flughafen- 

Bar stelle ich fest, dass ich ein irgendwie geartetes 

Vertrauensverhältnis zu Paul aufgebaut 

habe: Der 36-Jährige Paul Tripodi, er 

war mein Engel, der Herrscher im Himmel 

über Leben und Tod. Er erzählt mir noch, 

wie er früher in Windhoek als Computertechniker 

gearbeitet habe, doch dann hätte 

ihn dieser Bürojob gelangweilt. Seit seinem 

ersten Fallschirmsprung vor 17 Jahren genieße 

er die Freiheit, das Alleinsein und den 

Rausch im Himmel. Schließlich machte er 

sein Hobby zum Beruf - inklusive unserem 

Tandemsprung bisher bereits 4258 Mal. n 

Kontakt: 

Ground Rush Adventures 

www.skydiveswakop.com.na 

Tel.: 064 – 4 02 841 

oder 081 – 12 45 167

People don´t ask “where is Gobabeb?”, 

they ask “what is Gobabeb”. First of 

all, it is the place of the fig tree, origial 

in Khoekhoegowab (Nama): !Nomabeb – 

here the usually dry river bed of the Kuiseb 

iver negotiates a rocky bottle neck in the Naib 

Naukluft Park . – But foremost Gobabeb 

s an oasis of research and learning. 

fter some 50 years of research in the Naib 

desert Gobabeb has become an internaional 

brand name for ecological science of 

eserts and arid regions. The first researchrs 

ventured out into the forbidding Namib 

o trace phenomena of climate, insects, repiles 

and flora, fascinated by the astonishing 

urvival strategies and adaptations of animals 

Research can also contribute 

to minimising the 

destruction that unthinking 

tourists cause. 

and plants facing extreme conditions. The 

amount of knowledge about fauna, flora, the 

geological history and climate of the desert 

has grown by leaps and bounds over the past 

five decades. Yet, old and new findings and 

research results have never lost their charm 

to both layman and researcher alike. 

But as the human world has changed tremendously 

over half a century, similarly the questions 

and problems scientists and desert ecologists 

attempt to address and to solve today 

have changed. Whereas scientists five decades 

ago compiled data and records strictly 

within their separate domains, for instance of 

meteorology and entomology, the emphasis 

now is placed on integrative and interdisciplinary 

research for the benefit of sustainable 

human and environmental development 

through the sustainable utilisation of natural 

resources in the socio-economic environ- 

sience 

Gobabeb 

50 years persistent research and fascination 

24 

By Eberhard Hofmann 

June 2009 

Meteorology always plays a 

prominent role in the program 

of research at Gobabeb. This 

crystal ball records the intensity 

of the rays of the desert sun. 

ments and arid lands of both Namibia and 

the Southern African Development Community 

(SADC). The central message of the concept 

Gobabeb is that all forms of life are precious, 

must be protected and cannot be taken 

for granted. Since 1997 Gobabeb features as 

a “SADC Centre of Excellence” for research, 

training and networking in support of the 

United Nations Environmental Conventions, 

particularly the UN Convention to Combat 

Desertification, thereby gaining specific significance 

in Southern Africa. 

While the research station Gobabeb, situated 

squarely on state property inside the national 

Namib-Naukluft Park , is covered by a truly 

unique partnership concluded in 1998 between 

the Ministry of Environment and Tourism 

and the Desert Research Foundation of 

Namibia (DRFN), public funding and financial 

maintenance is by no means a given. 

The research station therefore, like its supporting 

foundation DRFN are increasingly 

project driven in order to generate income. 

Scientists and researchers accommodated for 

their tasks at Gobabeb have to pay fees. Further 

more, after a long process of negotiation 

with government Gobabeb in February 2009 

has received an official tourism concession 

which will be operated by a concessionaire 

on the account of Gobabeb to supplement its 

income. 

Adventurous beginnings 

When towards the end of 1959 a desert expedition 

of eleven well known international scientists, 

experts and seasoned science scouts 

of then South West Africa returned from the 

lower Kuiseb River to Windhoek they made 

headlines in the local press. “Wüstenforschungs-Institut 

in Südwest” - Desert Research 

Institute in South West - the Allgemeine Zeitung, 

the German language daily, blazoned as 

a lead story on 26 May 1959, when the sovereign 

name of modern Namibia had not yet

een coined. After a museums congress earlier 

that year in Windhoek a motley group of 

scientists and local experts had set out to the 

lower Kuiseb area of the central Namib to find 

a suitable location for a desert research station. 

Dr. Charley Koch, entomologist and honorary 

curator of the Transvaal Museum, was the scientific 

leader while Attila Port, a veteran of the 

colonial war in Namibia, acted as geographical 

guide of the group which identified the Gobabeb 

area as the ideal site for a field station to 

facilitate research in the Namib. 

“The more we know about 

the functioning of the 

Namibian environment, 

the more successful 

we will be in putting it to sustainable 

use.” 

The location of Gobabeb, about 90 km from 

Walvis Bay, was selected for the combination 

of three ecological features found there and – 

crucial in the desert – the availability of drinking 

water in the river bed. The three features 

being the riverine oasis of the Kuiseb, the vast 

Dr. Mary Seely 

The management of the desert research station 

is marked by continuity of staff and purpose. 

Dr Mary Seely became the director of 

Gobabeb after the first head of the outpost, 

Dr Charles (also known as Charley) Koch, 

had passed away in 1970. Dr Seely directed 

the station and its research for over three 

decades, supervisingvarious 

research 

projects and 

obtaining 

funding for 

the support 

organisation, 

the Desert 

Reseach 

Foundation 

(DRFN), domiciled 

in Windhoek, 

which 

she serves executivedirector. 

She is the author and co-author of dozens 

of publications, some of which serve as 

desert guides for tourists. 

Dr Joh Henschel 

The present director 

of Gobabeb, 

Dr. Joh 

Henschel, first 

came to Gobabeb 

some 30 

years ago to 

pursue some 

research on hyenas. 

Before he 

became director 

of Gobabeb 

in succession to 

Dr Mary Seely, he partly worked for the Desert 

Research Foundation from Windhoek, frequently 

visiting Gobabeb as a data manager, 

also assisting scientists and researchers with 

data analysis. It is during his term of heading 

the research station that aside the continuous 

scientific ecological tasks carried out, the 

station will also become the hub of a tourism 

concession, a first in its history of half a century 

and an opportunity to raise awareness for 

ecological tourism in the desert while generating 

some income towards the functional upkeep 

of the research station. 

25 June 2009 

Looking at Gobabeb on the northern embankment 

of the riverine oasis of the Kuiseb 

river as seen from the dune slopes. 

• Photos: Eberhard Hofmann 

dune fields south of the river bed and the gravel 

plains to the north of it. 

Three of the eleven participants, namely Koch, 

Port and businessman Bernhard Carp of Cape 

Town, organiser and financer of the expedition, 

had ventured a year before into the Gobabeb 

area and to Sossus Vlei to study the little known 

insect fauna of the Namib. The idea to establish 

a desert research field station was then 

born. However, the present location was finally 

determined during the expedition of 1959 

when the research party of eleven camped 

and worked for 20 days from the waterhole of 

Gobabeb, but also ventured as far as Sandwich 

Harbour. Most of the other participants are also 

well known: Willy Giess – botanist from Windhoek, 

Dr. W. Hoesch – ornithologist from Okahandja 

and from further afield the herpetologist 

(expert on reptiles) Dr. C. Brain, the entomologists 

(insects) Dr. L. Vari, Dr. Brown (Pretoria) 

and Dr. R. Paulian (the latter of Madagascar), 

Dr. R. Lawrence (expert on spiders and scorpions) 

as well as another ornithologist, Dr. O. Prozesky. 

n 

Am Rande der Kalahari ist die Bitterwasser Lodge, eine 

grüne Insel des Lebens und Ausgangspunkt für viele unvergessliche 

Touren. Gehobener 

Service und eine exzellente Gastronomie für 

bewusste Ernährung, die im weiten Umkreis einzigartig 

ist, machen die Bitterwasser Lodge zu einem unvergesslichen 

Erlebnis für Genießer. 

22 klimatisierte Grasdach-Bungalows - natürlich alles im 

afrikanischen Stil - bieten bis zu 60 Gästen jeden Komfort 

an einem wunderschönen Ort der Ruhe und Entspannung. 

Mehr als 40 Jahre war Bitterwasser das gehütete 

Geheimnis der Segelflieger. 

Private Bag 13003, Windhoek, Namibia 

Tel.: +264-63-265300, Fax: +264-63-265355 

E-Mail: bitterwa@mweb.com.na 

www.bitterwasser.com

advertorial 

The Gobabeb Tourism Concession gateway to desert diversity 

The unusually lush desertscape around 

Gobabeb Training and Research Centre, set 

n the banks of the Kuiseb River in the spectaclar 

Namib-Naukluft Park, is not the only postive 

change experienced here recently. Tener 

new grass shoots will dry out with the first 

ast winds, but the signing of the tourism conession 

awarded to Gobabeb Training and Reearch 

Centre brings with it the promise of good 

hings for many years to come. 

The 26th of February 2009 marked a historial 

moment for Gobabeb when the Minister of 

nvironment and Tourism, Netumbo Nandidaitwah, 

and Gobabeb director, Dr. Joh Henchel, 

signed the first lodge concession awardd 

in the Namib-Naukluft Park. 

The Gobabeb Training and Research Centre, 

joint venture between the Ministry of Environent 

and Tourism (MET) and the Desert Reearch 

Foundation of Namibia, has extensive 

xperience and a proven record of internationaly 

recognised work, ranging from environmenal 

research and training to the implementaion 

of appropriate technology. It has close links 

ith the local Topnaar community, through emloyment, 

training and joint projects, and also 

hrough 50 years of shared history. In the lanuage 

of the ≠Aonin (Topnaar people), /Nomaeb 

(later changed to Gobabeb) is “the place by 

he fig tree”, named after the nearby fig tree in 

he Kuiseb riverbed. 

Established in 1962 as an arid lands research 

nstitution, Gobabeb’s research concerns the 

elds of climate, ecology, geomorphology and 

ppropriate technology. Its location at the inersection 

of three ecosystems: sand dunes, 

phemeral river and gravel plains, offers unique 

pportunities for research by natural scientists 

nd their students. It is also an ideal outdoor 

lassroom in which young people can cleary 

observe the interactions and adaptations of 

esert life and landforms. 

With its rich history and range of experience, 

obabeb holds a fascination for many people, 

nd is well placed to extend its function into the 

ourism market. As a key partner of the joint 

Okomitundu – your 

adventure farm in Namibia 


venture agreement, MET through this concession 

has facilitated relations between Gobabeb 

and the tourism industry, in turn contributing to 

the financial sustainability of this internationally 

recognized Centre of Excellence. 

Not only will this move benefit 

Gobabeb, it has other beneficiaries. 

The Namibian tourism industry 

for one, stands to benefit greatly. 

‘To create a world class Desert 

Tourism Experience that is ecolog- 

One of the new participants in this year’s Tourism Expo is the guest farm Okomitundu. 

It is situated more or less in the middle of the country and covers an area of 

18 000 hectares. According to the managers, Annegret and Horst Fechter, a visit 

to Okomitundu promises sunshine, peace, vast landscapes, red sand dunes, silvery 

grass rustling in the wind, blue mountains in the distance, fascinating desert rock 

formations, wild animals and plants, tropical river banks, warm hospitality, friendly 

and relaxed people as well as pure nourishment for the soul! 

Okomitundu offers a wide range of leisure options such as safaris, archery and 

horse riding. The farm’s vast and varied landscape provides a unique diversity of 

wild animals and plants. At Okomitundu you can go on an exploration trip with your 

family or simply relax in a magnificent setting. The farm is also an ideal starting point 

for trips and flights to the many sights Namibia has to offer. 

The farm Okomitundu was founded in 1903 by the Hälbich family. Forty years pre- 

viously, Eduard Hälbich, the head of the family, had moved to Namibia 

with the “Rheinisch Mission”. He worked for many years as a travelling merchant 

in the area of Otjimbingwe. In 1972 the farm was bought by Senator 

Carl Arthur Frormann from Düsseldorf. He kept sheep and cattle in Okomitundu 

for 20 years before his son Dr. Detlef Frormann took over the farm. The 

latter realised the farm’s tourist potential and installed guest and hunting facilities. 

This turned out to be an excellent decision 

as Okomitundu has been awarded 

the “HAN Certificate of Excellence” of 

the Namibian Association of Gastronomy 

several times, as well as winning the “International 

Award for the Tourist, Hotel 

and Catering Industry” from Spain. 

To get to Okomitundu, take the B1 from 

Windhoek northwards as far as Okahandja, 

then continue for 50 km on the 

B2 towards Karibib to the west; just before 

Wilhelmstal there is a signposted 

turn to Okomitundu. From here take the 

gravel road D1967 which goes to Okomitundu 

(35 km). 

If you are interested in visiting Okomitundu, 

why not pay them a visit at the 

Expo and learn first hand what this special 

guest farm has to offer. 

26 

ically and financially sustainable and which contributes 

to Namibia’s economic development’. 

This is the vision expressed by the Ministry of 

Environment and Tourism in the draft management 

plan of the Namib-Naukluft Park. Now 

the vision can become reality as this unique 

concession, the first of its kind in Namibia, will 

showcase responsible low impact tourism informed 

by decades of research in the area. 

Importantly, the concession promises to benefit 

the neighboring Topnaar community in a 

number of ways. Some of the opportunities include: 

employment during the construction of 

the main lodge and satellite lodges; training and 

employment in hospitality and tour guiding; 

and entrepreneurial opportunities in the provision 

of goods and services to the lodge as well 

June 2009 

as in the curio industry. 

Being in a prime area with magnificent vistas, 

landforms and life forms, the concession is a 

gateway to extensive dune fields and vast gravel 

plains, crosscut by the ephemeral Kuiseb River. 

There is excellent potential for activities such 

as scenic drives, guided walks, mountain bike 

rides, bird watching, scientific expeditions, hiking, 

star-gazing, visits to Gobabeb, and cultural 

tours to the local Topnaar community. The allocated 

concession sites, located between 100 

and 120 kilometres south-east of Walvis Bay, 

have large (2 kilometres radius) privacy buffers 

around them. No other development will 

be permitted within 5 kilometres of the sites. 

Two sites for permanent occupation are located 

along the Kuiseb River with superb views of 

dunes, river and plains. Two temporary camps 

lie deep in the plains, giving that ultimate desert 

experience of unfettered space. 

To ensure a high quality tourism product, 

Gobabeb as concessionnaire will contract the 

operation of the concession (20 years, renewable) 

to a suitable and experienced tourism and 

hospitality operator under a Concession Operator 

Contract agreement. The Request for Proposals 

will be launched on 1 June 2009. The 

registration for bidders opens on 8 June 2009, 

after which detailed information will be available. 

After unusual desert rains and a month-long 

flow of the Kuiseb River, along with new tourism 

opportunities, life in the desert looks promising. 

n 

Please contact Theresa Thatcher at Gobabeb 

for any queries: 

Email: theresa.thatcher@gobabeb.org 

Telephone: + 264-(0)64-694199 

Watch our website: www.gobabeb.org 

Request for Proposals 

Invitation to tender for the 

development and operation 

of the Gobabeb Tourism 

Concession in the 

Namib-Naukluft Park 

Description 

A newly-announced tourism concession, the first of its kind in the Namib-Naukluft 

Park, has been granted by the Ministry of Environment and Tourism (MET) to the 

Gobabeb Training and Research Centre. The concession lies in a prime tourism area 

with magnificent vistas, landforms and life forms. It is ideally located en-route to or 

from Namibia’s major tourism attractions. 

A twenty year lease will allow exclusive rights to a combination of lodge and tented 

sites. The true desert getaway experience is ensured through large privacy buffers, 

as well as routes through remote and pristine landscapes to the north, and the dune 

sea to the south of the Kuiseb River. There is excellent potential for activities such 

as scenic drives, guided walks, mountain bike rides, camping out, bird watching, 

scientific expeditions, hiking, star-gazing, visits to Gobabeb, and cultural tours to the 

local Topnaar community. Due to the exclusive nature of the concession, a distinctly 

upmarket operation is envisaged. 

Gobabeb, a well-established institution with decades of research and environmental 

education experience in the Namib Desert, is well-placed to pioneer this new tourism 

product. As concessionaire, Gobabeb will contract the operation of the concession 

to a suitable and experienced tourism and hospitality operator under a Concession 

Operator Contract agreement. 

Registration and tender process 

• Registration period for bidders opens - 8 June 2009 

• Optional informal site visit - 27 June 2009 

• Registration period for bidders closes - 30 June 2009 

• Bidders’ conference & site visits - 16/17 July 2009 

• Tender bid submission date / Tender opening - 27 August 

Registration fee: N$500.- payable by 30 June 2009. Information packages 

will be made available to registered bidders. 

Contact person: 

Theresa Thatcher – theresa.thatcher@gobabeb.org • Tel: +264-(0)64-694199 

Website: www.gobabeb.org

Startpunkt 

für spannende 

Safaris 

Daniela Kemp 

P.O. Box 407, Otjiwarongo 

Tel 0608012016, e-mail: cdkemp@iway.na 

www.nambia-adventure-tours.com 

Sind Sie ein Käseliebhaber? 

Ich biete Ihnen die größte und beste Auwahl an von mir selber 

hergestelltem Käse „made in Namibia“. In meinem reichhaltigen 

Angebot finden Sie Käsesorten aus eigener Kuh- und Ziegenmilch, 

sowie frisches Farmbrot, - butter und –quark und verschiedene 

Wurstwaren. 

Sie erhalten meine Produkte landesweit, können sie aber jederzeit 

direkt bei mir bestellen. 

Tourgruppen sowie Indiviudalreisende sind herzlich willkommen. 

Lassen Sie sich von meinem außergewöhnlichen 

Picknick Lunch verwöhnen. 

…hmm lekker, lekker! 

EILEEN GÄSTEFARM 


Ihre Gastgeber, Rita & Frederik van Alphen, 

bieten neben ausgezeichneter Verpflegung 

eine gemütliche, familiäre Atmosphäre. 

Natürliches Habitat der 

Leoparden 

Tel.: +264-64-570837 / Fax: +264-64-570387 



Unique Tours & Safaris 

Tel: +264 81 2122580 

Fax: +264 64 404197 

Swakopmund 


Wir verwirklichen Ihren 

Traumurlaub! 

Selbstfahrer und geführte Reisen 

Kulturreisen 

Mountainbiking 

Konferenzen 

Touren für Vogelliebhaber 

Flugsafaris 

Motorrad Touren 

Hochzeitsreisen 

Reitsafaris 

Camping Touren 

Unterkunfts- und Aktivitätenbuchungen 

in ganz Namibia 

und vieles mehr....... 

T 4-2-8 

heike@unique-tours-safaris.com 

www.unique-tours.safaris.com 

Aqua Services-VWS Republikan.indd 1 5/15/09 12:28:23 PM 

Profil 

• Unterkunft: 44 Betten in DZ und Familieneinheiten 

• Bar, Restaurant, Grillplatz, Pool 

• Benzin- und Dieselstation 

• Landepiste 

• Geführte Tages- und Halbtagestouren 

• 355 Sonnentage pro Jahr 

• Jahresregenspende durchschnittlich 

nur 100 mm pro Jahr 

Luxus 

mit historischem 

Hintergrund 

Anreise 

Sesfontein liegt im 

Nordwesten Namibias. 

Die Entfernung von 

Windhoek beträgt ca. 

600 km. Über gut ausgebaute 

Schotterpads z. B. ab 

Kamanjab (233 km) C40/C43 

erreicht man Sesfontein 

in ca. 3,5 Std. 

Für Fly-In-Safaris kann man 

Sesfontein mit Sportflugzeugen 

direkt anfliegen. 

Sesfontein verfügt über eine 

ca. 1.700 m lange Landepiste. 

FORT SESFONTEIN LODGE & SAFARIS Pty.Ltd. 

P.O.Box 3676, Swakopmund, Namibia 

Tel.: 00264 (0) 65-6850 34/32, Fax: 00264 (0) 65-6850 33 

Cell Phone: 00264 811 292377 

www.fort-sesfontein.com 

info@fort-sesfontein.com 

fort.sesfontein@mweb.com.na 

Design: BurkhardNeumann.de © 11/2008 

27 June 2009 

Cobalt Str. 48 Prosperita • Tel. 061 – 22 2411 – Fax 061 -22 3585 

accounts@kfcc.com.na 

The beverage solution for 

your establishment 

The one stop option for quality coffee and tea using a 

superb range of vending and coffee making machinery. 

Ciro, House of Coffees, Lavazza and Illy will guarantee the 

best solutions for your hot beverages requirements. 

FORT SESFONTEIN 

LODGE & SAFARIS 

Espresso/coffee machines 

Jura, Brasilia 

Vending machines 

Bianchi 

Perculator 

Queen, Animo 

Please visit us at the Expo, Gourmet Hall, G17 

Tel. 081 129 1414 / 081 129 1413 

Mw2009ncu Tourimus 

Historisches Foto von 1962 

Die Lodge. 

Fort Sesfontein wurde authentisch aus den Ruinen eines 

historischen Forts aus dem Jahre 1896 mit großer Liebe 

zum Detail wieder errichtet. Dabei wurde dem Wunsch 

nach heutigem Komfort selbstverständlich entsprochen. 

Fort Sesfontein ist eine Oase in afrikanischer Wildnis. 

Die Lage des Forts zwischen Damaraland und Kaokoveld 

ermöglicht es, eine der letzten unberührten Landschaften 

in Tagestouren zu erkunden.

eise 

Scharfe 

Messer in paradiesischer 

Atmosphäre 

Von Sybille Schott 

Eine kurze Hose, den Hut tief ins Gesicht 

gezogen, die Haut von der Arbeit im Freien 

gebräunt und Hände, die zeigen wie 

viel sie tagtäglich schaffen - so lernt man Renè 

Aebi vom Camp Gecko kennen. Sein freundliches 

Lächeln und der Schweizer Akzent schaffen 

schnell Sympathie zu einem Mann, der Messer 

von besonderer Qualität herstellt. 

Vor fünf Jahren begann der gelernte Maschinentechniker 

in seiner Freizeit mit der Bearbeitung 

von Stahl. Zunächst entwirft er für das jeweilige 

Messer eine Vorlage, wobei es dabei auf 

den Verwendungszweck ankommt. Anschließend 

wird das Stahl gesägt, geschliffen, gebohrt 

und gefeilt, bevor er gehärtet wird. Dazu muss 

der Stahl auf 1050 bis 1080 Grad erhitzt und 

anschließend in Öl abgekühlt werden. Damit 

das Messer nicht zu hart und spröde wird und 

die Gefahr nicht besteht brüchig zu sein, erhitzt 

Renè den Stahl dann abermals auf 200 Grad 

und lässt ihn erneut abkühlen. Dieser Vorgang 

wird zweimal wiederholt. 

Für die anschließende Produktion des Griffes 

verwendet er neben unterschiedlichen Holzarten 

wie Tamboti, Rosewood und Ebenholz, 

Knochen von Tieren wie beispielsweise Zebra, 

Strauß oder Giraffe. „Dabei kommt es besonders 

auf deren Wandstärke an“, weiß Renè, 

„wobei sich Giraffenknochen besonders gut dafür 

eignen“. Auch Kudu- oder Oryxhorn sowie 

Leder werden für den Griff verwendet. Diese 

passt René zunächst an die Form des Messers 

an, bevor er sie auf die endgültigen Maße feilt 

und schleift. 

Bei der Fertigung der Scheide, die zum Schutz 

des Messers dient und aus Rindsleder besteht, 

kommt Freundin Heidi Fink ins Spiel. Sie übernimmt 

die Lederarbeit. Mit einem Auge fürs Besondere 

gibt sie den Messerscheiden einen exklusiven 

Charakter. Jede Scheide wird mit einem 

Gecko-Stempel verziert. Zusätzlich werden 

die „Restmaterialien“ der Messergriffe von Heidi 

zu Schmuckanhängern verarbeitet. 

Insgesamt brauchen René und Heidi zirka 10 

bis 15 Stunden für die Produktion eines Messers, 

je nachdem wie groß und welchem Zweck 

es dienen soll. 

Jedes Messer ist ein Einzelstück und so auch 

für den Käufer etwas ganz Besonderes. „Die 

meisten Kunden sind Sammler aus Übersee 

oder Südafrikaner“, sagt der Schweizer. Aber 

auch Namibier würden bei ihm kaufen. 

Erhältlich sind die exklusiven Werkzeuge al- 

Anticor 

Entspannen am Lagerfeuer - 

den barking Geckos zuhören - 

atemberaubende Sonnenuntergänge 

- glitzernde Sterne - 

- Nahrung für die Seele... 

Tel: +264(0)62 572 017 

E-Mail: geckonam@iway.na 

Besuchen Sie uns in Halle B, 

Stand TL 25 

lerdings nur auf Camp Gecko, einer Farm, die René und Heidi seit 2002 pachten. Der 

Gästebetrieb, der zirka 200 Kilometer von Windhoek entfernt ist bietet seinen Besuchern 

neben einer fantastischen Landschaft drei Busch-Zelte, 2 Hide-Aways und 1 Familien-/ 

Selbstversorger-zelt, die mit Doppel- und Einzelbetten, Dusche, Toilette und jeglichem 

Komfort rustikal ausgestattet sind. Heidi und René verwöhnen ihre Gäste mit Fleisch von 

eigenen Rindern und Wild. Farmprodukte wie Marmelade, Kaktusfeigensaft und Orangen 

gibt es hier ebenfalls. Eigens dazu gibt es auf einem kleinen Berg eine große Lapa 

unter der Heidi die Speisen frisch zubereitet und die dann unter dem Sternenhimmel genossen 

werden können. 

Leaders in Purification 

and Filtration Technology 

Water and Air 

Handgefertigte 

Messer 

28 

June 2009 

Bewundern Sie 

unsere 

handgefertigten Messer 

- Jedes garantiert 

ein Einzelstück! 

Wir sprechen auch 

Schweizerdeutsch 

Den Besuchern 

stehen 

drei Campingplätze, 

die mit 

Braaiplatz, Dusche 

und WC 

ausgestattet 

sind, zur Verfügung. 

Die Camper 

können alle 

Angebote von 

Camp Gecko 

ebenfalls nutzen.Aktivitäten 

sind: Bogenschießparcours 

mit 24 Zielen 

unterschiedlichenSchweregrades, 

Farm- 

Drives, Sundownerfahrten, Reiten (nur für erfahrene 

Reiter) Wandern, Touren ins Kaokoveld und Damaraland, 

usw. Wenn es die Regenzeit zulässt, bietet der in 

der Nähe gelegene Damm die Möglichkeit zum Schwimmen 

und Bootfahren. 

Camp Gecko – ein Ort, der nicht nur durch seine faszinierende 

Landschaft, sondern auch durch die Gastfreundschaft 

von Heidi und René für Erholung pur 

sorgt. 

„Das echte „Out of Africa“-Gefühl genießen und die Seele 

baumeln lassen.“ 

Mehr Informationen unter : www.camp-gecko.com 

E-Mail: geckonam@iway.na 

Die ETUSIS LODGE befindet 

sich im mehr als 

20.000 Hektar umfassenden 

Etusis Naturschutzgebiet, 

welches auch die 

Otjipatera Bergregion mit 

einschließt. Im Herzen Namibias 

können Besucher 

hier außerordentliche Tierbeobachtungen 

in atemberaubender 

Szenerie 

erleben. Übernachtung in 

typisch afrikanischen strohbedeckten 

Bungalows oder 

in komfortablen Zelten. 

Die DORNHÜGEL Gästefarm 

befindet sich im 

Norden Namibias auf dem 

Weg ins naturbelassene 

Buschmannland und der 

Etoscha Pfanne. Unsere 

Gäste können sich unter 

Makalani Palmen entspannen 

und das Tierleben von 

Beobachtungsstellen oder 

vom offenen Auto aus 

erleben. Übernachtung in 

großzügigen, bequemen 

Zimmern mit angrenzenden 

Einrichtungen. 

Windhoek Office: P.O.Box No. 6970 (Ausspannplatz) 

Phone Phone and and Fax: Fax: 061-223994 • eMail: etusis@iway.na

29 June 2009

Last month we discussed a fine example of 

the Strangler Fig at a lay-by along the B8 in 

the Otavi valley between Otavi and Komat. 

Further eastwards along that same road, 

etween the turn-off to Rietfontein and the exerimental 

farm Uitkomst, there is another huge 

trangler Fig as well as the lovely big Namaqua 

ock-fig shown on the main photograph. The 

atter is easily recognizable by the cone of mud 

nd stones protecting its trunk. These two trees 

row quite close to each other, while just a coule 

of kilometres further towards Uitkomst there 

s a Sycamore Fig, shown on the small inset??. 

he heart-shaped base of the dull grey-green, 

eathery leaves of the Namaqua Rock-fig taper 

nto a pointed tip, hence the botanical name corata. 

The diagnostic feature of the Sycamore Fig 

s its almost round, very rough leaf. 

he Namaqua Rock-fig has a pale grey trunk 

hile that of the Sycamore is usually quite yelowish. 

The large fig trees in this area probably 

we their size to underground water in the Karst 

ubstrate on which they grow. Near the turn-off 

o Uitkomst a spring used to bubble under a 

rove of large fig trees, which sadly died after the 

ater table of the entire area has dropped due to 

ncreased pumping of underground water. 

The Namaqua Rock-f Fig occurs on scattered localities 

throughout Namibia, but is never abundant 

but may be locally common. As its common 

name implies it is always found on rocky 

ground along dry rivers and on rocky outcrops. 

Typically, it often grows straight out of cliff faces 

of the western escarpment, the Naukluft or the 

Waterberg and other mountains. It is often associated 

with springs. 

The figs of this species are about 6 - 8 mm in 

diameter and grow stalk-less in the leaf axils. 

They are white, turning yellowish pink with 

white spots when ripe. 

Formerly, the bark of the Namaqua Rock-fig 

was used to tan hides. The fruits attract myriads 

of fruit-eating birds, insects and insect-eating 

birds. They are edible but usually infested 

with insects. Dried and stamped they can be 

mixed with porridge. The wood is very light 

and can be used as the base block for making 

fire by friction. 

Names: G. Herzfeige; A. Namakwavy; H. 

omukuyumbwa 

The large, very rough, almost round leaves and 

a yellowish to orangey smooth trunk tell us that 

the solitary tree on the second photo is a Sycamore 

Fig (Ficus sycomorus). This fig species is 

quite commonl in the dry river courses of western 

EILEEN GÄSTEFARM 


Ihre Gastgeber, Rita & Frederik van Alphen, 

bieten neben ausgezeichneter Verpflegung 

eine gemütliche, familiäre Atmosphäre. 

Natürliches Habitat der 

Leoparden 

Tel.: +264-64-570837 / Fax: +264-64-570387 



Car Hire 

Windhoek, Nickel Street, 

Business Park No 6, Prosperita 

Tel: +264 61 22 33 88 • Fax: +264 61 22 06 50 

Cell: 081 148 4712/3 

Email: esme@smiling-africansun.com 

www.smiling-africansun.com 

Meet the Trees in Namibia’s Road Reserves 

The Namaqua rock Fig (Ficus 

cordata) and the Sycamore 

Fig (F. sycomorus) 

This huge Namaqua Rock-fig (Ficus cordata) along the B8 

between Rietfontein and Grootfontein can easily be identified 

by the cone of clay and sand protecting its trunk. The most 

important identifying feature of the Namaqua Rock-fig are 

lots heart-shaped leaves, blunt to heart-shaped at the base, 

tapering towards a pointed tip. 

T 4-2-8 

T 7-3-7 

Bougain Villas 

Klein Windhoek 

Tel.: 061-222221 

081 127 9798 

Warm up your home/offices/lodges with 

our special collection on sale. 

Visit us at our only showroom in 

Klein Windhoek 

Windhoek, Nickel Street, 

Business Park No 6, Prosperita 

Tel: +264 61 22 33 88 • Fax: +264 61 22 06 50 

Cell: 081 148 4712/3 

Email: esme@smiling-africansun.com 

www.smiling-africansun.com 

30 

June 2009 

nature 

This Sycamore Fig (Ficus sycomorus) is 

also found along the B8 a few kilometres to 

the east of the above mentioned Namaqua 

Rock-fig. 

Namibia where its intensely green crowns form a 

particularly striking contrast to the harsh and often 

very rocky desert surroundings. On the southern 

slopes of the Waterberg, in the sandy soils north 

of Etosha and in the Kavango and Caprivi Sycamores 

often have massively buttressed trunks. 

The buttressing serves to strengthen the trunk to 

such an extent that reportedly these trees cannot 

even be uprooted by elephants. 

This tree is the Sycamore of the Bible, out of 

whose light and very durable wood mummy 

cases were made, which were found in Egypt, 

intact after thousands of years. Along the Okavango 

River Sycamore wood is sometimes fashioned 

into dug-out canoes or drums. Dry wood 

of this kind is also used as base block for making 

fire by friction. 

Making fire by friction involves twirling a pointed 

hardwood twig between both palms inside a 

notch in a piece of wood with a large, soft inner 

core held in place by both feet. Constant friction 

eventually produces some glowing wood dust, 

which is very gently blown into a pile of dry 

grass. The grass ignites and can then be built up 

into a fire by the judicious addition of dry branches 

and heavier pieces of wood. Twirling requires 

so much energy that usually a second person

Sycamore Figs very often develop a highly 

fluted trunk which serves to anchor them in 

the soil so well that even elephants cannot 

uproot them. 

takes over from the first without interruption of 

the process – so remember to be grateful for 

blitz and similar products next time you wish 

to braai. 

The Sycamore bears the largest of all indigenous 

figs in Namibia. The first figs to ripen 

are said to be sweet and good to eat. Later fruit 

reportedly do not taste that well and are used 

to brew an alcoholic drink called “ombike”. An 

elderly gentleman from the north told me: “Our 

mothers put us through school on the money 

they earned brewing this drink”. Fine specimens 

of these fig trees as well as Marula (Sclerocarya 

birrea) trees and the Wild Date (Berchemia dis- 

color) can often be found growing in the mahangu 

fields in northern Namibia, where they 

are the property of one particular person who 

is the sole owner of its fruits. 

Fruit-eating birds and bats, elephant, giraffe, 

kudu, duiker, wart hogs, baboons, monkeys 

and many others feed on the fruit of the Sycamore 

Fig. The leaves stimulate milk production 

in cows and are a valuable fodder in semi-arid 

areas. The large trees provide shelter for many 

insects, birds, reptiles and small mammals. A 

strong rope can be made from the tough inner 

bark. A decoction of the bark and milksap is 

used as a cough mixture. Skin inflammations 

are treated with the sap alone. The finely powdered 

bark is used to treat burns. 

Names : Ficus sycomorus; G. Waterbergfeige, 

Sykomore, Maulbeerfeige; E. sycamore Fig; A. 

wildevy; H. omukuyu 

In addition – some intriguing facts about the 

fruits of fig trees. What we call the fruit of a fig 

tree is in fact the receptacle which thickens to 

engulf the flowers, while the fruits are the tiny 

pips inside the fig. Pollination is accomplished 

by a species of tiny wasp that enters the fig 

through a small opening at the top. A different 

species of wasp is associated with each species 

of fig tree. Thus the survival of these big trees 

actually depends upon the survival of these tiny 

wasps. Imagine the loss if these wasps were to 

be destroyed by the indiscriminate use of pesticides! 

The characteristic features of Fig trees in Namibia 

are: simple leaves, usually with smooth 

margins; smooth pale grey or whitish to yellowish 

trunks which are often fluted; a sticky 

white latex exuded by all parts of the tree when 

injured and the little pointed cap covering the 

31 June 2009 

growth point of each twig. Armed with this 

knowledge you will now also be able to identify 

some additional fig species occuring in Namibia 

but not easily visible from main roads. They 

are the Rock-splitting Fig (F. ilicina), usually a 

rock-creeping shrub found only in rocky areas. 

Its distribution is similar to that the Namaqua 

Rock-fig. The Rock-splitting Fig has particularly 

tough, thick, simple leaves. While it usually covers 

rocks and cliff faces like a creeper it can also 

form small trees. The Sandpaper Fig (F. capreifolia) 

often forms dense thickets along the edge 

of the Kunene River, while the Hairy Rock–fig (F. 

glumosa)is confined to rocky places in northwestern 

Namibia and the Pygmy Fig (F. pygmea)is 

found as a multi-stemmed shrub in the 

Popa Falls area along the Okavango River. n 

advertorial 

Lapa Lange 

By Estekke de Bruyn 

Luise Hoffmann 

Lapa Lange is one of the new exhibitors at 

this year’s Namibia Tourism Expo. 

This haven in nature is located 35 kilometres 

along the M29 road on the way to Gochas on 

the edge of the Kalahari. 

It has sleeping facilities for 21 guests in ensuite 

self-catering units as well as en-suite 

rooms which offer a dinner, bed and breakfast 

service. Camping facilities are also available 

on the lawn or around the water hole. 

Lapa Lange’s restaurant offers uniquely Namibian 

country style cuisine and can also 

serve a la carte meals when required. 

Owners, Piet and Ems de Lange, however 

prefer to introduce visitors to the traditional 

camp fire experience serving potjiekos and 

lapa barbecues. This offers a special treat to 

tourists unfamiliar with this well loved Namibian 

cooking experience. 

According to the De Langes their whole philosophy 

in the operation of Lapa Lange is 

based on the principle of Namibian “Gemütlichkeit. 

Lapa Lange has its own take on so the so 

called Big Eight: beer, braaivleis, biltong, boeretroos 

(coffee) big fires, black diamond (karakul), 

boere music and beautiful black ladies 

in traditional attire. 

After a feast or a long relaxing walk the rock 

pool is the ideal place to cool off and wash 

away every bit of remaining stress. 

Visitors to Lapa Lange can enjoy a wide range 

of activities that include walks in the game 

camp, a game drive or merely relaxing next 

to the water hole and watching a variety of 

game come to drink. 

Twenty different species of game are found 

on the 1 500 hectare of the lodge. 

Sun downer trips and dune rides on the red 

Kalahari dunes are also offered to guests. 

“Lapa Lange is nature friendly and it is our 

aim to bring people closer to nature and its 

wild life,” says Mrs. De Lange. 

For the foreseeable future Lapa Lange is planning 

a self-catering tented camp, constructing 

a Nama/ Damara as well as a San (Bushmen) 

traditional village together with a cultural centre 

where the cultures of all Namibia’s ethnic 

groups will be featured. 

At Lapa Lange visitors to our country will be 

able to enjoy a real Namibian cultural learning 

experience. They will also be able to buy 

hand made items produced by Nama and 

San people. 

Lapa Lange is the ideal stop over for tours 

into the Kalahari. Light lunches for bus tour 

groups can be offered or smaller tour groups 

can spend the night in the rooms or self-catering 

units. 

For more information feel free to contact Pieter 

or Ems de Lange at telephone (00264) 

(063) – 241801, fax: 088614881 or on either 

of these cell phone numbers: 0811283445 or 

0811291085. They can also be contacted by 

e-mail at charfarm@mweb.com.na. Visit their 

website, www.lapalange.com to learn more 

about this jewel of the Kalahari.

south africa 

Elephant Corner 

turned French 

Franschhoek, the ‘French corner’ of South 

Africa, is cleverly capitalizing on its French 

heritage of excellent wines and a culinary 

tradition which is regarded as one of the best 

in the world. Many of the wine estates, guesthouses, 

restaurants and shops have names 

which sound as elegant and appealing as 

French names invariably do, and some of them 

proudly display French colours. A first-time visitor 

may indeed feel transported to a pretty little 

town somewhere in France. 

Come July and Franschhoek is gearing up to 

its ‘Frenchest’ form. During the weekend closest 

to France’s national holiday, Bastille Day on 

14 July, Franschhoek celebrates a Bastille Festival. 

Franschhoek is always beautiful and a great 

place to visit – and yes, there is more to it than 

the lively Main Road with its speciality shops, 

Windhoek 

Tel: +264 61 289 0760 

Swakopmund 

Tel: +264 64 40 42 40 

Walvis Bay 

Tel: +264 64 201 2222 

By Christina Rockstroh 

Oranjemund 

Tel: +264 63 233463 

art galleries, antique dealers, cafés and restaurants 

- but going there for the Bastille Festival is 

simply fun. The entire Main Road is decked out 

in red, white and blue, just about everyone in 

the vibrant little town wears a red or blue beret 

and seems to be involved in the festivities. A 

‘French atmosphere’ is also created by groups 

of people playing boules in unlikely places, a 

chefs’ and waiters’ race, street soccer, a fly-fishing 

competition and above all a wine barrel rolling 

competition which attracts scores of spectators. 

Teams from the various wine estates compete 

against each other on a short course lined 

with bales of straw. In pairs of two the participants 

do their best to manoeuvre their uncooperative 

barrel to the finishing line as straight 

and fast as possible, but much to the onlookers’ 

delight barrels seem to have a mind of their 



now 

available 

as 

E- Paper 

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Click 

www.az.com.na 

T 85-6-3 

32 

own. 

The wine estates provide another big attraction: 

a procession of decorated floats, led by local 

drum majorettes, slowly makes its way through 

the main street – and back again for good measure. 

The South African clubs of French car 

manufacturers Peugeot and Citroën also join in 

the fun and games with a motorcade of older 

vehicles flying French flags and red and blue 

balloons while parading up and down Main 

Road to the cheers of onlookers. 

Eat, drink and be merry! This is the essence of 

the festival, and there is plenty of opportunity to 

sample great wines paired with gourmet food 

dished up by Franschhoek’s famous chefs. 

Franschhoek Valley boasts no less than 45 active 

wineries, among them household names 

like old-established Boschendal or Bellingham, 

but also less well-known ones like Lynx. Many 

of the most innovative and progressive producers 

in the country are in fact found among 

Franschhoek’s wine farms. And as if barrels and 

barrels of excellent wines weren’t enough, this 

little town has good reason to call itself South 

Africa’s Gourmet Capital. Among its 36 restaurants 

are eight which have made it into the 

country’s top 100, and four of the country’s fivestar 

chefs choose to 

work their magic in 

Franschhoek. 

What is the origin 

of Franschhoek’s 

French connection? 

The beautiful valley 

between towering 

mountains, which 

wear white caps of 

snow in the middle 

of winter, were inhabited 

by Khoikhoi 

tribes until pieces of 

land were allocated 

to Dutch free-burgh- 

a time to make friends: 

June 2009 

Bottled 

to 

Perfection 

Gert 

081-413 3638 

ers as early as 1687. Two years before, Protestantism 

had been banned in France and soon 

afterwards the first groups of French Calvinists, 

or Huguenots, arrived at the Cape. They were 

also granted land in the Franschhoek Valley – 

then known as Olifantshoek (Elephant Corner) 

because at that time large herds of elephants 

roamed the area - between the tracts of land 

given to the free-burghers. These early French 

settlers introduced viticulture to the valley, which 

soon was called Franschhoek, the French Corner. 

They were not allowed to teach French at 

school, however, and within forty years the language 

had almost disappeared. Only the surnames 

– like du Toit, Malherbe, Malan, Labuschagne, 

de Villiers or Cronjé – have outlasted 

more than three centuries. 

This background combined with the origin of 

Bastille Day in France and the fact that Nelson 

Mandela was released from nearby Drakenstein 

Prison in 1990 also provide a more solemn angle 

to the festival in Franschhoek – man’s pursuit 

of freedom. In celebration of Mandela’s 

memorable release a Long Walk from Drakenstein 

Prison to the Huguenot Monument at the 

end of Franschhoek’s Main Road has become 

part of the annual festival. n 

Nur wenige Autominuten von Windhoek entfernt, aber schon mitten im dichten Savannenbusch, liegt 

unsere Immanuel Wilderness Lodge. Sie ist die ideale und bequeme Unterkunft für alle die Windhoek 

besuchen, aber trotzdem gleich nach Ihrer Ankunft in oder vor Ihrer Abreise aus Namibia die Ruhe und 

den Frieden der afrikanischen Wildnis genießen wollen. 

Bei uns sind Sie in guten Händen, wenn Sie bei der Auswahl Ihrer Unterkunft größten Wert auf gepfl egte 

Gastlichkeit, gute Küche und persönlichen Service mit familiärer Note legen. 

Tel: +264-61-260901 • Fax: +264-61-260903 • E-Mail: offi ce@immanuel-lodge.de • Web: www.immanuel-lodge.de 

Einzelzimmer NS 440.00 • Doppelzimmer N$ 590.00 • 3-Bettzimmer N$ 750.00 • 4-Bettzimmer N$ 890.00

south africa 

A haven of tranquillity - 

Birders´ West Coast Paradise 

My fascination with West Coast National 

Park started with a story featuring a 

charming old cottage overlooking turuoise 

waters and unspoilt beaches. A cosy 

lace with a stoep for hot summer afternoons 

nd a fire roaring in the grate on chilly autumn 

nd winter evenings. A place of unrivalled 

eauty and tranquillity in the lap of nature 

here time seems to stand still. The place is 

hurchhaven on the narrow peninsula which 

uts out between Langebaan Lagoon and the 

tlantic Ocean, a mere 120 km north of busting 

Cape Town. 

here are other intriguing names in West Coast 

ational Park (WCNP). Soon after passing the 

ntrance gate off the R27 we come to a sign 

ointing to Abrahamskraal. A lovely Cape 

utch cottage sits in the fynbos, with not a soul 

in sight. Several ostriches are watching us, and 

then we notice a plank way to a wooden structure 

which turns out to be a bird hide at a small 

pond. Redknobbed coot with small chicks are 

lazily paddling about and a tiny sunbird feeds 

from the big yellow flowers on a carpet of succulents. 

If you are into birding, this must be 

one of your favourite spots. The cottage is fully 

equipped for six. 

We watch a tortoise resolutely stomping from 

one patch of green to the next, and then we 

are on our way to the Atlantic View Point, an 

elevated spot a few metres off the ‘main road’. 

The view is indeed fantastic: stretched out below 

are dunes, the blue ocean and 16 Mile 

Beach, seemingly extending all the way to 

Yzerfontein in the south. The bulky remains of 

a ship, wrecked 30 years ago, rise from the sea 

a few kilometres to the north. 

Our next stop: Churchhaven! At last! About 

two dozen cottages and houses are scattered 

between palms and other trees and shrubs on 

a gentle slope down to the lagoon’s southern 

shore. Private property in a national park? “It 

does not pose a problem”, says Pierre Nel, a 

WCNP nature conservation official. “The park 

consists of many pieces of privately owned 

land and there are more cottages in other places 

around the lagoon, about 60 in total. We look 

after nature and the homeowners abide by the 

rules of their Home Owners’ Association.” Settlements 

around the lagoon existed long before 

the park was proclaimed in 1985. Langebaan 

and the sheltered lagoon were already known to 

European seafarers at Jan van Riebeeck’s times 

in the late 17 century. The Dutch East India 

Experience 

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from the Eastern entrance to the world renowned Etosha National Park, the lodge is the gateway to a unique safari offers special rates 

experience, as well as the perfect destination for incentives, conferences, weddings and honeymoons. Relax and 

unwind in a truly unique surrounding and enjoy a variety of indulging restaurants. 

for SADC residents 

starting from N$ 710.00 

Tel +264 61 388 400 • Fax +264 61 388 401 

reservations.mokuti@kempinski.com • sales.mokuti@kempinski.com 

www.kempinski-mokuti.com • www.kempinski.com 

KEMPINSKI - A COLLECTION OF INDIVIDUALS 

33 June 2009 

Company had its ships repaired in the lagoon 

Churchhaven is as tranquil and beautiful as expected. 

Some of the cottages are available as 

holiday accommodation. A family by the name 

of Church seems to have given this little haven 

its name. 

The most amazing accommodation, by any national 

park’s standards, must be the two houseboats 

which are securely and permanently 

moored at Kraalbaai in the south-western corner 

of the lagoon. Imagine a luxurious floating 

mansion with nine bedrooms on two decks, 

or a cosy smaller one with two bedrooms. 

Kraalbaai has braai places with glorious views 

next to the road, and steps lead down to the 

beach, hidden from sight, to reveal wondrous 

rock formations like the enormous ‘preekstoel’ 

(the pulpit). There are more picnic spots a little 

per person sharing in a 

Deluxe Room inclusive all 

taxes, buffet breakfast and 

dinner buffet in Tambuti 

Restaurant.

further on, right next to the ocean, at Tsaarsank 

where the terrain is flat and covered with 

owers in spring. This is also the prime lookut 

spot for whales during winter. Tsaarsbank 

s the furthest you can go – unless you happen 

o visit the park in August or September. Then 

he Postberg section is open to the public, and 

o be able to see this privately owned part of 

he park really is the proverbial cherry on top of 

n experience which makes you want to come 

ack again and again. 

hile driving through dense fynbos with just osriches 

in sight and tortoises attempting to cross 

he road behind every bend you start to wonder 

here the antelope might be hiding of which 

he park is supposed to have several hundred. 

ass the Postberg gate, drive up the first little hill 

nd all of a sudden there they are, the whole lot 

f them, grazing on an open plain. There are 

50 eland, 80 red hartebeest and smaller numers 

of blue wildebeest, grysbok, bontebok 

nd steenbok. Unexpectedly we count four batared 

foxes frolicking among them. “Yes, we 

ave quite a large number of bat-eared foxes”, 

ays Pierre Nel. The omnipresent ostriches, by 

he way, number 800 in total. 

he last stretch to the top of Postberg is a 

ashed out bumpy one-way track, but an orinary 

city car will make it without harm, and it 

s absolutely worth the effort. From the parking 

rea on top you look down on Langebaan and 

he entire lagoon, and to the north you can see 

olumbine lighthouse at Paternoster! 

his park has so much to offer. It also has an 

ducational centre and accommodation failities 

for school classes or other groups. And 

ven though visitors arrive by the busload durng 

the flower season it is a far cry from the 

illing crowds at Cape Point. Spring flowers 

nd birding are considered to be the biggest 

ttractions of West Coast National Park. With 

he exception of Langebaan proper, the park 

urrounds Langebaan lagoon for good reason: 

he lagoon is a world Ramsar site. Many of the 

wader species are Palaearctic migrants and are 

best observed from the Geelbek hide near the 

restaurant when the tide comes in. 

No visit to the park can be complete without 

stopping at Geelbek Restaurant which - among 

other accolades - has been voted Best Restaurant 

in the West Coast Region. But hurry, the 

wonderful place with its culinary temptations 

closes at 17h00 every day. This grand former 

34 

farmhouse is a national monument. Its heyday 

was probably in the 1920s when Geelbek was 

owned by Governor-General Henry Steytler 

who bred mules for the British army and was 

otherwise famous for his extensive parties. Totally 

oblivious of the environment he had the 

lagoon dredged to allow boats to come closer 

to the homestead. His wine cellar was reputed 

to be the largest in the country. These days 

June 2009 

Geelbek is a popular wedding 

venue. 

On the way back to the main 

gate we pass the turn-off to 

the Duinepos Chalets, another 

accommodation facility in the 

park. These eight chalets are 

well hidden in the fynbos and 

sport a swimming pool. They 

are the result of the Duinepos 

community based tourism 

project which was started by 

the Department of Environmental 

Affairs and Tourism in 

2004 to alleviate poverty in the 

Langebaan community. Unused 

staff houses at Duinepos 

were restored and refurbished 

to full tourism standard and 

members of the community 

were trained to run the chalets. 

Part of the profit is paid into a 

selected community project. 

The park has two gates. On 

the way to the Langebaan 

exit we pass Flamingo Joe’s 

Beach Camp, named for the 

many flamingos which congregate 

in the shallows. Just 

metres from the wilderness 

zone, on a stretch of pristine 

private beach, there are walkin 

safari tents on decks. This 

is an eco friendly camp where 

paraffin lamps are provided 

and water is pumped by hand from a borehole. 

Time has not stood still in West Coast 

National Park, despite paraffin lamps and 

hand-pumped water (other accommodation 

facilities have solar energy and tap water). On 

the contrary, this is a park which embodies 

the ideal of involving the community and the 

public at large in conservation and the sustainable 

use of natural resources. n 

Otjiwarongo Taxidermy 

We offer you 

Taxidermy 

Souvernirs 

Animal Exhibition 

We also collect and deliver 

Tel: +264 67 302692 / Fax: +264 67 302483 

Sylvia Mobile: +264 81 124 1484 

e-mail: otjtaxi@iafrica.com.na 

www.namibia-taxidermy.com

südafrika 

Paradies in den Cederbergen 

Von Eva Dölitzsch-Tatzreither 

„Good morning, Sepp“ – „Guten Morgen, Seppy“ ….der Besucher aus Bayern und der Ranger 

vom Western Cape mit der seltenen Namensgleichheit begrüssen einander freundlich vor dem 

bereits wartenden Safari-Fahrzeug. 

Morgennebel ist heute angesagt in den bereits herbstlichen Cederbergen. Die gepflegten Rasenflächen 

des „Bushmanns Kloof“ sind saftig grün, die malerischen Cottages im kapholländischen 

Baustil, mit ihren weißgetünchten Mauern und riedgedeckten Dächern schimmern in den ersten 

aufgehenden Sonnenstrahlen durch die noch feuchte Morgenluft. In den blühenden Büschen 

und angelegten Beeten beginnen die unzähligen, gefiederten Bewohner den jungen Tag mit ihrem 

Frühkonzert. Auch die Enten und Gänse am großen Seerosenteich haben ausgeschlafen und watscheln 

laut schnatternd und plantschend hinein ins kühle Nass. Ein paradiesischer „Garten Eden“ 

vor der faszinierend skurilharschen Sandsteinkulisse der rötlich-braunen Cederberge. 

Etwa drei Stunden sind wir gestern von Kapstadt aus auf der N7, über Citrusdal und Clanwilliam, 

über den Pakhuis-Pass hierher in das „Bushmans Kloof Wilderness Resort u. Retreat“ wie es genau 

heißt, gefahren. Wir steigen zu Seppy, unserem für das Wochenende persönlich zugeteilten Ranger, 

in das geräumige Safari-Fahrzeug und los geht die erste Morgenfahrt. Langsam bahnt sich die 

Sonne ihren Weg durch die aufreißenden Nebelschwaden und gibt Ausblicke in die Wunderwelt 

dieser Berglandschaften frei. Über 3500 km 2 erstrecken sich die Cederberge, diese gewaltigen, 

on Wind und Regen wild geformten Gesteinsformationen aus so genanntem Tafelberg-Sandstein. 

as ganze Gebiet steht unter Naturschutz, wobei speziellen Pflanzen und Tieren besondere Aufmerksamkeit 

zukommt, wie etwa die 

Clanwilliam-Ceder, der beinahe ausgestorben, 

hier wieder aufgeforstet wird, 

oder die attraktive Schnee-Protea, die 

nur auf den höchsten Berggipfeln und 

nur hier, an wenigen Stellen vorkommt. 

Aber auch das seltene Kap-Berg-Zebra, 

von dem es hier am Bushmans Kloof 

eine eigene Zuchtgruppe gibt. 

Die rote Sandpiste führt uns vorbei an 

verschiedensten Fynbos-Pflanzen, Erika 

und Riedsträuchern. Seppy pflückt 

für uns Blättchen von einzelnen Büschen, 

um uns daran riechen zu lassen. 

Alle duften sehr aromatisch, wenn 

man sie zwischen den Fingern zerreibt. 

Seppy fährt mit uns weiter zum großen 

Damm, es ist Zeit für unser erstes 

Frühstücks-Picknick. An der Stelle mit 

dem wohl allerschönsten Ausblick über 

die weite Wasserfläche machen wir halt 

und genießen unseren, vom Ranger 

auf den Felsen servierten „Early Morning 

Coffee“. Was für eine paradiesiche 

Ruhe uns hier umgibt. Nur vereinzelte 

ogelstimmen lassen sich vernehmen, und auch das gelegentliche Plätschern springender Fische 

m See. Wie wir erfahren, beschäftigt man sich hier mit einem Schutz-Projekt für den gefährdeten 

lanwilliam-Gelbfisch, der nur im Bereich des Olifants-Flusses vorkommt und dessen Jungfische 

ier ausgesetzt werden, um sich in den umgebenden Flußsystemen wieder zu vermehren. 35 Aren 

an Säugetieren, 150 verschiedene Vogelarten sowie mehr als 755 einheimische Pflanzen sind 

m Bushmanskloof beheimatet, wovon einige besonders geschützt werden. 

lötzlich bewegt sich vor uns auf dem Steinsims etwas, wo unsere Thermoskannen und Teller mit 

usks und Muffins stehen: Blitzschnell kommt eine kleine, fette Elefantenmaus aus ihrer Höhle 

ervorgeschossen und schnappt sich einige Keksbrösel. Wie uns Seppy erzählt, hat sich hier eine 

anze Familie einquartiert, die sich über die gelegentlich anfallenden Frühstücksreste hermacht 

nd die dabei sichtlich zahm und rund geworden ist. Diese kleinen Nager haben lange, sehr beegliche 

Nasen wie Rüssel, was ihnen auch ihren Namen eingetragen hat. Es müssen ja nicht 

mmer nur die Big Five interessant sein. Hier am Bushmans Kloof legt man vor allem Wert auf die 

rsprünglich einheimischen Lebewesen aus Flora und Fauna. Afrikanische Fischadler gibt es hier, 

alachit Kingfisher, Kap-Otter, Caracal, Erdwolf , Mangusten und verschiedene Antilopenarten. 

estärkt machen wir uns weiter zu Fuß auf den Weg. Eine der ganz besonderen Attraktionen in 

iesem Gebiet sind die zahlreichen, gut erhaltenen Buschmann-Felszeichnungen, manche über 

10 000 Jahre alt. Meist sind sie unter Überhängen zu finden, wo sie vor Sonnenschein und Regen, 

Wind und Wetter geschützt die Jahrhunderte überdauerten. Am Bushmans Kloof sind es rund 

130 Felswände, die man nur mit einem Führer besichtigen kann. Diese hier, die wir nach etwa 

20 Minuten Wanderung am Flußbett entlang, zwischen den Felsen erreichen, hat den Namen 

„Elefanten-Jagd“. Seppy erklärt uns die Bedeutung der Abbildungen. Meist sind sie symbolisch 

zu interprtieren: Elefanten, Jäger, Eland-Antilopen, sogar kleine Vögel lassen sich ganz deutlich in 

ockerfarben erkennen. Andere Pigmente sind schon verblasst, manche Figuren daher nur teilweise 

zu erkennen. San hießen die usprünglich hier ansässigen Steinzeitmenschen, Jäger und Sammler, 

Buschmänner wie sie auch genannt wurden, die hier ihre faszinierenden Spuren hinterlassen haben. 

Als wir nach unserem interessanten Ausflug in die rauhe Felsenwelt wieder die anmutende 

Lodge zurückkommen, erwartet uns schon ein ganz exquisites Buffet. 

Am Nachmittag bin ich verabredet mit Siyakha Mguni, dem Haus-Archäologen und Felsmalerei- 

Experten, der hier auch Wochenend-Seminare abhält. Wir treffen einander in dem Haupthaus angeschlossenen 

Heritage-Center, das die bekannte Rudner-Collection beherbergt, eine umfangreiche 

Sammlung an San-Utensilien, Jagd- und Musikinstrumenten, Puppen und Schmuck. Deutlich spürt 

man die Liebe zu seiner Arbeit. Er bildet nicht nur Ranger im Wissen, der Analyse und Interpretation 

von Felsmalereien aus, sondern gibt auch Vorlesungen über sein Fachgebiet. Wie er erzählt, betrachtet 

er seine Arbeit als „eine Reise, die einen tieferen Blick in das Leben der steinzeitlichen Jäger 

und Sammler erlaubt, wie sie mit den damaligen Anforderungen ihres Lebens zurecht kommen 

mussten. Ein Lernen auch für uns“. Die Zeit mit dem Archäologen vergeht leider viel zu schnell, es 

gebe noch so vieles zu erfahren. 

In der goldenen Nachmittagssonne entdecken wir jetzt auch Gruppen mehrfarbige Buntböcke, 

scheuen Eland sowie Kuhantilopen. Nun sehen wir endlich auch die Herde seltener, geschützter 

Kap Berg-Zebras. Nachdem es in den 80er Jahren nur noch 400 Stück dieser schön gezeichneten 

Tiere gab, hat sich durch spezielle Schutzpogramme die Population inzwischen wieder verdreifacht. 

Eine der größten Herden mit etwa 40 Tieren befindet sich hier im Bushmans-Kloof- 

Reservat, und man führt darüber ein genaues Zuchtbuch, wie Seppy uns erzählt. Ein weiteres 

Projekt widmet sich den wenigen, in den Cederbergen noch freilebenden Leoparden. Seit 2005 

wurden 12 der scheuen Raubkatzen mit GPS-Halsbändern ausgestattet. Mit Unterstützung des 

Cape-Leopard Trust können diese jetzt regelmäßig überwacht und ihr Verhalten in diesem Areal 

erforscht werden. Am Bushmans Kloof wird Naturschutz eben ganz groß geschrieben. 

Aber natürlich kommt vor allem auch dem Wohlergehen der Gäste ein ganz besonderer Stellenwert 

zu: In den 16 Luxus-Zimmern und Suiten, die alle individuell mit Naturmaterialien in modernem 

Kolonialstil, mit sehr viel Liebe zum Detail, eingerichtet worden sind, werden nur maximal 

32 Gäste betreut. Eine insgesamt 90 köpfige Crew kümmert sich um das Wohl der Besucher. Vier 

Swimming-Pools stehen zur Verfügung, alle mit Blick in die umgebende Felsenkulisse sowie eine 

neue Wellness-Oase. Bei so viel Qualität ist die Liste der Auszeichnungen natürlich lang: National 

Geographic zählt Bushmans Kloof unter anderem zu den „Besten 50 Eco Lodges“. 

Unser heutiges Abendessen a la carte, bei Kerzenlicht im Restaurant „The Homestead“ macht dem 

Küchenchef wieder alle Ehre. n 

Für weitere Auskünfte und Buchungen: Tel.: +27 (0)21 685 2598, www.bushmanskloof.co.za 

35 June 2009 

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advertorial 

Mit Red Earth 

in Namibia reisen 

Seit 12 Jahren lebt die gebürtige Hamburgerin Alexandra Sacharow bereits in 

Namibia. Hier war sie unter anderem als Lodgemanagerin tätig und in den vergangenen 

Jahren als freischaffender Tourguide. So sammelte sie in der Tourismusbranche 

genügend Erfahrung und hat im Dezember 2008 ihre eigene Firma 

gegründet. Red Earth bietet Touren speziell in und um Windhoek, Tages- und 

Halbtagestouren sowie Kurzreisen an. Aber auch Rundreisen durchs Land stehen 

bei Red Earth auf der Angebotsliste. Die Eigentümerin legt besonderen Wert 

darauf, dass alle Touren auf die Wünsche der Gäste abgestimmt werden. Außer 

Campingreisen kann Alexandra so ziemlich alle Wünsche der Besucher erfüllen. 

Mindestens zwei und höchstens sieben Urlauber betreut die Wahlnamibierin 

auf ihren Reisen durch Namibia und kann so einen ganz individuellen Service 

leisten. Aber auch Selbstfahrer können bei Red Earth mit einer professionellen 

Planung geholfen werden . 

Red Earth bietet vom Flughafen bis zum Flughafen sämtliche Serviceleistungen, 

die für das Gelingen eines schönen Urlaubes in Namibia notwendig sind. n 

Weitere Info unter: Red Earth, E-Mail:maja474@gmx.de, Tel: 081-233 7647 

EXPERIENCE NAMIBIA! 

City Tours, Day and Overnight Tours, 

Tailor-made Tours and Transfers 

Karakul Board of Namibia 

The Karakul Board of Namibia together with the 

karakul wool weavers and furriers has choosen 

the Namibian Tourism Expo to showcase its 

product. For this reason they will not be participating 

in the Windhoek Agricultural Show this 

year. 

The main purpose of the Karakul Board is to promote 

the use of karakul/swakara products internationally 

and therefor the Tourism Expo is the 

ideal venue to help them fulfill this purpose. 

Namibia is rich in tourist attractions and it is necessary 

for the tourists through tour guides and 

lodges staff to get in touch with the karakul industry 

which had its centenary celebrations in 

2007. 

Swakara garments, karakul wool carpets and 

a catwalk with “models” wearing swakara garments 

and much more will be seen during the 

EXPO 2009. A lot of information, centenary 

books (to tell the story of Swakara) and DVD’s 

will be available. 

To be part of this uniquely Namibian gem and 

share in the lustre of our indiginous so called 

black diamonds of Namibia, pay a visit to this 

exhibit in in Hall A stand R3. n 

Jagvorbereitung mit 3D Shot Aid 

Die 3D Shot-Aid-Ideee stammt von Hartmut Freyer, 

selbst Jäger in Namibia, und beruht auf seinen 

eigenen Erfahrungen. In Zusammenarbeit mit Andree 

Keller hat er ein Projekt entwickelt, das zum 

ersten Mal auf der Namibia Tourism Expo vorgestellt 

werden soll. 3D Short Aid kann(soll) als Geschenk 

gekauft werden und ermöglicht es, dem 

Jäger und Nichtjäger eine dreidemensionale Jagdsituation 

wiederzugeben und sich so auf die unterschiedlichen 

Gegebenheiten einzustellen. Somit 

kann sich der Jäger mit verschiedensten Jagdsituationen 

vertraut machen und sich auf das jeweilige 

Jagdland besser vorbereiten.Um das Produkt 

weltweit verkaufen zu können, sind acht verschiedene 

Tieranimationen entsprechend der Jagdländer 

oder Gebiete austauschbar. Mehr Infos unter: 

3d-shot-aid.iway.na n 

36 

June 2009

eise 

Der Vogelstrauß: Sein Balztanz spornt zum Eierlegen an 

Von Kirsten Kraft 

Direkt an der „Mondlandschaft“, etwa 17 

Kilometer östlich von Swakopmund, 

liegt Swakop Ostrich Paradise, die 

Straußenfarm von Ralf und Petra Matthäi. Als 

das Ehepaar vor etwa neun Jahren zum ersten 

Mal diesen brachen Grund und Boden betraten, 

sich umguckten und einen atemberaubenden 

Blick über das Swakoptal vor sich hatten, 

waren sich beide einig: „Hier bleiben wir, 

hier bauen wir uns unser eigenes Paradies“. 

Heute beheimaten zusammen mit den Matthäis 

140 Strauße das 80 Hektar große Anwesen. 

Gäste dürfen sich auf Swakop Ostrich Paradise 

ebenfalls zu Hause fühlen. 

Von Oktober bis Ende März herrscht hier Hochkonjunktur 

im Eierlegen. Mit rotem Schnabel 

und Straußenzehen balzt Vater Strauß vor den 

Hennen und zeigt so, dass er für die Fortpflanzung 

bereit ist. 

„Schnappi“ kann das besonders gut. Er ist auf 

Swakop Ostrich Paradise unter all den anderen 

„der Hahn im Korb“, denn „er ist der erste 

Bruthahn, den wir selbst großgezogen haben“, 

sagt Straußenzüchter Ralf Matthäi. Als 

Eigentlich hat diese neugierige „Jugend“ es auf die Brille abgesehen, die Hand ist jedoch näher. 

Strauße schnappen gerne nach allem was blinkt und glitzert. • Fotos: Kirsten Kraft 

Wenn es im Ei piept, nimmt Ralf Matthäi „Straußenvater Gustav“, einen 

kleinen Spitzhammer zur Hilfe und hakt ein Luftloch in die Schale. Nach 

den ersten paar kuscheligen Tagen unter einer Wärmelampe geht es für 

die Küken dann endlich ab ins Freigehege, wo die Hauptbeschäftigung aus 

fressen und gucken besteht. • Fotos: Kirsten Kraft 

Findelkind war das Straußenküken bei Petra 

Matthäi abgegeben worden und erhielt seinen 

Namen, weil er mit Vorliebe nach Schnürsenkeln 

schnappte. Heutzutage ist sein Schnabel 

allerdings eher mit Vorsicht zu genießen. „Ich 

kann ihn während der Balzzeit nicht anfassen“, 

so Matthäi, „dann zeigt er sich von seiner 

aggressivsten Seite“. Schon von weitem 

ist Schnappis Balzgehabe zu erkennen. Mit 

rot verfärbten Füßen tänzelt er vor den Hennen 

auf und ab und schwingt dabei sein Federkleid. 

So viel Aufmerksamkeit muss anspornen, 

denn emsig werden die Eier in die 

Sandkuhlen gelegt, allerdings ebenso emsig 

von den Farmarbeitern wieder eingesammelt 

und zum Kunstbrutraum gebracht. Zwei Brutschränke 

stehen dort für insgesamt 260 Eier 

bereit. „Innerhalb von fünf Monaten könnten 

hier 1500 Eier ausgebrütet werden“, teilt der 

Straußenzüchter mit. Vorab wird jedes Ei auf 

einem so genannten „Eiblatt“ vermerkt. „Man 

muss ja Mutter und Vater kennen“, sagt Matthäi, 

„sonst gibt es schnell Inzucht“. Alle sechs 

Tage werde das Gewicht des Eis kontrolliert. 

„Das Ei muss abnehmen, dann ist es befruch- 

37 June 2009 

tet“. Der Straußenzüchter erklärt: „Durch den 

Stoffwechsel verliert ein Ei an Eimasse“. Am 

39. Tag kommt die große, beige Kugel dann 

in den Schlupfkasten. Jetzt heißt es zusätzlich 

horchen. Griffbereit liegt dafür oben auf dem 

Schrank „Straußenpapa Gustav“, ein kleiner 

Spitzhammer, bereit. „Piept es im Ei, nimmt 

in Natur Vater Strauß seine Zehkralle und hakt 

ein Luftloch in die Schale“, so Matthäi, „ich 

nehme mir ‚Gustav‘ zur Hilfe“. 

Nachdem das Küken endlich das Licht der 

Welt erblickt hat, kommt es vorsorglich für die 

nächsten zwei bis drei Tage unter eine Wärmelampe, 

„bis es kräftig genug ist“, dann folgt 

der erste Ausflug ins Freigehege. Während der 

ausgewachsene Vogel recht robust ist und 

sich den verschiedensten Klimabedingungen 

anpassen kann, reagiert die Brut eher überempfindlich. 

„Die Küken brauchen anfangs 

immer eine ‚Amme‘, die sich lediglich zu ihnen 

ins Gehege setzt“, sagt der Züchter, „dieses 

Federvieh ist so zimperlich, es braucht immer 

was zu gucken, sonst geht es vor lauter 

Langeweile ein“. Aber auch die erwachsenen 

Tiere suchen Abwechslung und wollen ständig 

in neue Gehege versetzt werden. 

Der Strauß ist ein Vogeltier, das vollständig 

verwertet werden kann. Das schmackhafte, 

fett- und cholesterinarme Fleisch findet sich 

auf dem Teller im Ombo Restaurant von Petra 

und Ralf Matthäi in Swakopmund wieder. Auf 

der Speisekarte locken Gerichte wie Straußenleber, 

Straußen-Goulasch, Medaillons oder ein 

Straußenomelette mit Räucherlachsstreifen 

und frischem Swakopmunder Spargel. Damit 

bei der Omelette-Zubereitung das Ei nicht zerbrochen 

werden braucht, wird ein Loch in die 

Schale gestanzt, die Masse mit einem Stab verquirlt 

und dann herausgeschüttet. „Eine Portion 

beinhaltet so viel wie 25 Hühnereier.“ Da 

kein Mensch so viel Ei auf einmal essen kann, 

wird bei den Matthäis auf der Farm die Masse 

in mehreren Portionen verpackt und in ihrem 

kleinen Souvenirladen zum Kauf angeboten. 

Ein Straußenei soll ähnlich wie ein Hühnerei 

schmecken, „nach Ei halt.“ 

Die leeren Eier werden u.a. als Leuchter verziert, 

die Federn in der Modebranche benötigt 

oder zu Staubwedel verarbeitet und aus den 

kaputten Eierschalen fertigen die Matthäis Modeschmuck 

an. Zum Abschluss – ob als Gast 

auf der Farm oder im Restaurant – sollte ein jeder 

den hausgemachten Eierlikör probieren.n

advertorial 

„Nossob-Jagd“ ist erfolgreich gestartet 

Nach umfangreichen Umbau- und Modernisierungsarbeiten 

am Farmhaus hat die Nossob- 

Jagd ihren Betrieb aufgenommen. 

Die ersten Jäger und Gäste waren begeisert - 

von der Landschaft, dem Wildreichtum, der 

Unterkunft und Bewirtung, aber auch von der 

idealen Nähe zum Internationalen Flughafen 

von Windhoek. 

Die Entfernung beträgt nämlich nicht mehr als 

60 km zum Farmgebäude bzw. etwa 40 Minuten 

Autofahrt. Die Jagdkonzession erstreckt 

sich über insgesamt drei Hegegemeinschaften 

(Omitara, Seeis und Namatanga) und bietet 

so Jagdmöglichkeiten auf etwa 60000 Hektar. 

Diese Gebiete sind landschaftlich sehr abwechselungsreich 

und umfassen weite Flächen, Berge 

und Hügelketten. Natürlich sind hier große 

Wildbestände beheimatet. 

Große Herden Oryxantilopen, Springböcke 

oder Hartebeester sind keine Seltenheit. Auch 

Kudu, Gnu, Warzenschwein, Zebra, Strauss, 

sowie Leopard, Gepard und viele weitere 

Wildarten können bejagd werden. Sowohl für 

die Jäger, die zum ersten Mal in Afrika jagen, 

als auch für den erfahreren Auslandsjäger bietet 

Nossob-Jagd viele Möglichkeiten. Nähere 

Informationen findet man hierzu unter www. 

nossobjagd.com. 

Auch für die Entspannung nach der Jagd ist 

bestens gesorgt. Zwei gemütliche und voll 

ausgestattete Gästezimmer stehen für 2-4 Jäger 

zur Verfügung. Die Mahlzeiten bestehen 

fast immer aus eigenen Farmprodukten und 

Wildbret. Der Jagdtag klingt oftmals bei einem 

„Braai“ - dem deutschen „Grillen“ aus. 

Neben der Jagd bieten sich vielfältigste Freizeitangebote: 

Wild- und Vogelbeobachtung, 

Picknick auf idyllischen Bergkuppen, aber auch 

grandiose Abende am Lagerfeuer unter einem 

faszinierenden afrikanischen Sternenhimmel. 

Oder soll es lieber eine Bootstour auf einem 

nahe gelegen Stausee - dem Otjivero-Damm 

- sein? Eine Abkühlung im Schwimmbad hilft 

sehr gut, der afrikanischen Hitze zu trotzen. 

Hunting & Guestfarm 

Ombu is situated 300m north of the 

airport in the heart of the Erongo 

mountain range. The farm covers 11 

600hectares. 

We offer: 

CAMPING • 4 X 4 Trails 

Sightseeing • Rock engravings 

F. Hinterholzer 

Tel.: 264-64-570849 • Fax: 264-64-570 649 

E-Mail: ombu@iway.na 

www.erongo-ombu.iway.na 

38 

Wenn es doch mal shopping sein soll - eine 

Fahrt ins ebenfalls nur 100 km entfernte Windhoek, 

der Haupstadt Namibias, lässt sich leicht 

organisieren. Vor allem das Angebot traditionell 

gefertigter handwerklicher Produkte hat bislang 

noch jeden Besucher begeistert. Man ist erstaunt 

von dem besonderen Flair aus geschichtlichen 

Zeugnissen und auftstrebender Metropole. 

Auf individuellen Wunsch können Touren zu den 

Sehenwürdigkeiten Namibias organisiert oder 

sogar persönlich begleitet werden. Die Möglichkeiten 

sind nahezu grenzenlos, vor allem bieten 

sich der Etoscha-Nationalpark, die Namib*Wüste 

oder die Küstenorte Swakopmund oder Walvis 

Bay an. 

Unsere „Nossob Jagd“ ist ein Erlebnis wert! 

Mehr Infos unter: www.nossobjagd.com 

June 2009 

Solsquare Namibia 

Solsquare Namibia, a subsidiary of Solsqr (PTY) 

Ltd in South Africa opened its doors on the 1 st 

of November 2008 in Windhoek, and offers its 

client’s state of the art, sustainable renewable 

energies technologies. Solsquare Namibia is 

run by Toni Simoes and Gia Wlotzka and will be 

servicing Namibia, Botswana and Angola from 

their Windhoek based office. 

“In today’s times the continuous supply of electricity 

can no longer be taken for granted. In addition, 

environmental issues like global warming 

have become a household topic and solar 

energy indispensable in the fight against it. Our 

goal is to service the renewable energy industry 

with top of the range German solar water heaters, 

immediate delivery, competitive prices as 

well as outstanding service and after sales assistance.” 

Solsquare Namibia stocks and supplies direct 

and indirect thermo siphon products, both 

close couple and split systems in 100 litres – 

300 litres. Bigger systems for industrial and domestic 

use are also available. 

Solsquare Namibia will offer the following 

special at the Namibia Tourism Expo 2009: 

10% Discount on 200 litre and 300 litre Conergy 

TS Solar Water Heating System. Visit them during 

the Expo at the Windhoek Show Grounds, 

at stand #23 in the Tourism & Lifestyle Hall. 

Gia Wlotzka and Toni Simoes 

Lovedale Farm Holidays 

Die Schaf- & Rinderfarm, Lovedale, 

ist eine der ältesten Farmen Namibias. 

Lovedale, auf der C27 gelegen, ist 

der perfekte Zwischenstopp auf der 

sehenswürdigen Route nach Lüderitzbucht, 

Fischfluss-Canyon und Sossusvlei, nur 

19km von Helmeringhausen entfernt. 

Black Eagle & Bateleur Einheiten: 

N$ 200 Einzel / N$ 375 Doppel / 

N$ 565 Familie. Inklusive Holz, Kaffee/Tee. 

Unterkunft für Selbstversorger. 

Camping: 

N$ 50.00 pro Person, inklusive Holz. Viel 

Schatten und Windschutz, heißes Wasser, 

220V Strom, Bad/WC. 

Kinder unter 12 Jahren: 25% Abschlag 

SADAC Länder: 20% Abschlag 

Malcolm and Louisa Campbell, P.O. Box 11, Helmeringhausen, Namibia 

Tel: +264-63-683031, Email: lovedale@iway.na, Website: www.lovedale.iway.na

39 June 2009

Michael and Katrin Weder 

P.O. Box 83, Omaruru, Namibia 

The picturesque vineyards, situated along the 

riverbed in Omaruru, produce predominantly 

two grapes: Colombard and Ruby Cabernet. 

Revel in the provenant atmosphere of Namibia’s 

first wine cellar and taste some of our red and 

white wines as well as a selection of schnapps 

and Nappa. 

Enjoy a tour of the vineyards and 

cellar and/or relax with a glass 

of wine and a meal at our 

little tavern ... 

Tel: 064-570083, Fax: 064-570593 

S p e c i a l EXPO Offer! 

Valid from 01.06.2009 - 31.10.2009 

Accomodation 

Single Room N$ 540,00 

Double Room (per person sharing) N$ 450,00 

(Included: Dinner&Breakfast, Vat & 1% bed levy) 

Self Catering „Villa Kudubergblick“ 

3 bedrooms, lounge, 1 bathroom 

2 Persons N$ 600,00 • 4 Persons N$ 900,00 

• 6 Persons N$ 1200,00 

(Rates are per day, Vat and Tourism levy included) 

Rates are for Namibians & SADC citizens only 

Gold-Award Winner 2008 

Bookings to Acacia Namibia 

Tel: +264 (0)61 229142 

Fax: +264 (0)61 229125 

E-mail acacia@iway.na 

www. okomitundu.com 

MW200910119as 

Wine 

made in 


Susanne Hartwig GOLDSMITH 

Tel: 061 237 385 • E-Mail: sh188@iway.na • Werner List Street • Gutenberg Platz 

Largest stockist of 100ltr to 300ltr solar water heaters in Namibia 

German technology 

Internationally proven 

T (061) 211 675 M (081) 140 45 44 E toni@solsquare.com 

Santorini Inn 

1 BSP = british standard pipe 

Tel/Fax: 065 220 506 or 065 220 457 

E-mail: info@santorini-inn.com 

WE WILL BE FULLY 

OPERATIONAL FROM 

MID JUNE 2009 

W Swimming Pool W Bar 

W Conference Facilities 

W Restaurant with A la-Carte Menu 

W Pizza Hut 

16 Luxury Rooms with Air conditioner and DSTV 

7 Standard Rooms with Air Conditioner and DSTV 

6 Chalets with Mini Bar, Air Conditioner and DSTV 

Security in the evenings 

CAR HIRE FACILITIES AVAILABLE 

CONTACT: Jaco Pearson 081 291 3608 

40 

June 2009 

Solar 

Solutions 

| High density insulation, to reduce storage tank heat loss | Open or closed circuit configuration 

Largest | stockist Vitreous enamel lined of steel 100ltr cylinder for increased to durability 300ltr | Magnesium solar sacrificial water anode for extra heaters protection against in Namibia 

| 

German | technology 

200 and 300 litre storage tanks 

SPECIAL!! 

• 10% discount on 200ltr and 300ltr 

Thermosiphon systems | Technical Data 

Conergy Conergy TS eco TS series solar water heaters 

• German technology 

• Internationally proven 

• Australian certification 

Solar 

Solutions 

Going green is your responsibility 

Getting you there is ours 

| Back-up electric booster to ensure continuous hot water at all harsh water 

times 

| Durable copper collector tubes and aluminium absorber plate 

Powder-coated steel for the storage tank casing 

| Manufactured under ISO 9001 

SOLAR HEAT 

Internationally Offerproven valid 25 April - 31 May 2009 

38 Newcastle Street, Rosch Park, Unit 3, North Ind 

Model 2LC-T 

T (061) 211 675 M (081) 140 45 44 E toni@solsquare.com 

Gross area 1.98 m2 Connections 22 mm tube (Use 22 x 3/4‘‘ BSP1 T (061) 211 675 M (081) 140 4544 E toni@solsquare.com 

Fittings) 

Aperture area 1.87 m 2 

Absorber area 1.80 m 2 

Cover 3.2 mm tempered glass 

Number of risers 6 

Diameter of risers 12.3 mm 

Riser pitch 148 mm 

Riser material Copper 

Header material Copper 

Absorber plate Aluminium 

Absorber surface Non-selective black lacquer 

External dimensions 1,938 mm long 

1,025 mm wide 

80 mm thick 

Weight empty 42.0 kg 

Weight full 44.9 kg 

Frame Zincalume 

MW20098728hm

advertorial 

‚Little Etosha 

of the South‘ 

comes to 

Windhoek 

Pardon me, but what on earth is this? A rhino? 

Here, in southern Namibia, at the Fish River 

Canyon? - It’s not a joke, it’s no mirage. Gondwana 

Cañon Park east of the canyon boasts 

four black rhino since April. And that’s not all: 

with a little luck springbok, gemsbok and ostrich, 

zebra, red hartebeest and blue wildebeest, 

mountain zebra, kudu and klipspringer 

can be seen on both sides of the road... 

The private park east of the canyon has developed 

into the ‚Little Etosha of the South‘ over 

the years. Several game species which used to 

be indigenous to the area but were hunted to 

extinction 100 to 200 years ago were reintroduced 

to the park under Gondwana’s game 

programme. The aim is to restore the original 

variety of fauna and flora as far as possible. 

Visitors to the park also have the opportunity 

to explore and experience the unique nature 

of the area from closest quarters – with, 

among others, mule trekking tours and hikes 

in the northern reaches of the canyon, or scenic 

drives, horseback excursions and shorter hiking 

trips in the central part of the park. 

Visitors to the Namibia Tourism Expo can learn 

more about Gondwana Cañon Park and the 

Fish River Canyon at the stand of the Gondwana 

Collection. Geology, climate, fauna and flo- 

ra as well as the area’s history are portrayed on 

18 display boards. Later they will become exhibits 

at the Canyon Information Centre which 

is planned for Cañon Roadhouse to provide 

guests of Gondwana Cañon Park with information 

on the numerous wonders, big and small, 

of nature in this area. 

Brochures illustrating Gondwana’s four other 

sites - Kalahari Anib Lodge northeast of Mariental, 

Klein-Aus Vista near the Wild Horses of the 

Namib, Namib Desert Lodge north of Sesriem/ 

Sossusvlei and Etosha Safari Lodge & Camp 30 

km south of Okaukuejo – will also be available 

at the expo stand, of course. 

Comprehensive information on the Gondwana 

Card will be available as well. Card holders are 

granted a 50 percent discount on the accommodation 

rate of any of Gondwana’s accommodation 

establishments. About 2,000 cards 

have been issued since the card was introduced 

two years ago. The share of Namibian guests 

has increased from about 1 percent to almost 5 

percent. As before, Gondwana’s stand will be in 

the President’s Hall on the balcony level. 

41 June 2009 

Black Rhino in the boma at Gondwana Cañon Park. 

left: One of the information boards on the stand of the Gondwana Collection. 

• Photos: Gondwana Collection 

Von Sven-Eric Kanzler 

Release of Red Hartebeest in Gondwana 

Cañon Park.

NAMIBIA 

IMPULSIV 

Ihr individuelles Buchungsbüro 

in Namibia. 

Ob Erholung oder Abenteuer, 

gerne beraten wir Sie für einen 

maßgeschneiderten Urlaub. 

Tel: +264-(0) 61-227721 

Fax: +264-(0) 61-227761 

Mobil: +264-(0) 81-253-6968 

E-mail: namibia-impulsiv@gmx.net 

Web: www.namibiaimpulsiv.com 

T 59-1-11 

“Need to rent an affordable car now?” 

Choose from our wide range of vehicles and great 

deals and fi nd the package to suit you. 

Budget, great value worldwide! 

CHANCE 

“Helping Hands” 

Okahandja 

Arts and Craft Shop 

“Help for self support project” 

Voortrekkerstr. 15 

P.O. Box 738 

Okahandja Namibia 

Tel: 081 434 8989 

Fax: 062 501 851 

email: wininam@iway.na 

Mw2009 Tourismus(ncu) 

E-mail res.namibia@budget.co.za 

or call 61 22 8720 

1464 

You will find us 

opposite the 

wood market 

Otjiwarongo 

direction

advertorial 

Botzwana Tourism 


The Botswana High Commission will for the first time exhibit its 

different tourism products at this year’s Namibia Tourism Expo. 

Botswana has diverse cultures and nature. The country is also 

known for peace and tranquility, diamonds and beef. Botswana 

has good transport infrastructure and is accessible by rail, road and 

air. World class accommodation and camping sites are plenty. 

Botswana Tourism Product consists of: 

1. Wildlife and Wilderness- these includes a wide variety of wild 

animals, flora and fauna. The Lion, Elephant, Cheetah, Hippo and 

Rhino. Some of Botswana famous tourist destinations are the biggest 

inland delta in the world, the Okavango Delta, Chobe National 

Park, Moremi Game Reserve, Central Kalahari Game Reserve, Tuli 

Block and the Kalahari Transfrontier Park. 

2. Cultural Tourism- Botswana holds annual cultural festivals to 

showcase its different cultures. The famous of the annual festival is 

the world renowned Kuru Dance festival, which showcases ancient 

San culture and dance. The ancient San rock paintings are found at 

the world heritage site of Tsodilo Hills. 

3. Sports Tourism- Every June, Botswana hosts the annual 1000 

km Kalahari Desert Race organized by the 4x4 Club of SA. The race includes 

motor racing, quad and two wheel motorbike races. 

4. Wild Filming- Most wildlife filmmakers do their sets in Botswana. 

One of the famous wildlife movies “Roar Lions of the Kalahari” was 

shot in Botswana. 

5. Golfing –Botswana has various Golf facilities such as Phakalane 

Golf Resort, Cresta Mowana Golf Club ( where you are sure to meet 

elephants and warthogs in the greens.) 

At the Namibia Tourism Expo Botswana High Commission will showcase 

crafts, pictures, DVDs and Music of Botswana’s Different Tourism 

Products. They will also distribute brochures of different tourism facilities 

and establishments. 

43 June 2009 



now 

available 

as 

E- Paper 

Explore 



Click 

www.az.com.na 

Besuchen 

Sie uns auf 

der 



Expo in der 

Präsidentenhalle. 

Impressum 

Adresse: 

Postanschrift: Tourismus Namibia c/o Allgemeine Zeitung, 

P.O. Box 86695, Windhoek, Namibia 

Straßenadresse: Democratic Media Holdings, 

General Murtala Muhammed Avenue 11, Eros, Windhoek 

Redaktion: Tel.: +264-61-22 58 22, Fax: +264-61-220225 

Doro Grebe (dg): Tel. +264-81-2083416, dgrebe@az.com.na 

Dirk Heinrich (dh): Tel. +264-81-1270254, dheinrich@az.com.na 

Sybille Schott (sy): Tel. 081-1296301, sschott@az.com.na 

Freie Mitarbeiter 

Astronomie: Victor Brandl (brandlv@mweb.com.na) 

Branche: Marc Springer (marc@nawa-namibia.com) 

Flora: Luise Hoffmann (luisehof@iway.na) 

Küste: Heinz Krikkis (krikkis@iway.na) 

Südafrika: Eva Dölitzsch-Tatzreither (eva-d-t@deunet.co.za) 

Anzeigen: Tel.: +264-61-22 58 22, Fax: +264-61-245200 

Bahati Traut: Tel. +264-81-127 1603, bahati@az.com.na 

Design: Uwe Schwesinger (uwe@az.com.na) 

Sybille Schott (sschott@az.com.na) 

Online: 

www.az.com.na (Tourismus) 

Verlag: 

Tourismus Namibia erscheint als Beilage der Allgemeinen 

Zeitung, einer Abteilung von Democratic Media Holdings (Pty) 

Ltd., Postfach 86695, Windhoek, Namibia, General Murtala 

Muhammed Avenue 11, Chefredakteur: Stefan Fischer (fis) 

Die Redaktion übernimmt keine Haftung für unverlangt 

eingesandte Manuskripte, Fotos und Illustrationen. Nachdruck 

ist nur mit schriftlicher Genehmigung des Verlages 

gestattet. Dieses gilt auch für die Aufnahme in elektronische 

Datenbanken und Vervielfältigungen auf CD-ROM. 

Druck: Newsprint Namibia, Windhoek 

Vertrieb: 

Tourismus Namibia ist eine monatliche Sonderpublikation 

der Allgemeinen Zeitung (AZ) in Namibia mit einer 

Druckauflage von etwa 10 000 Exemplaren. Sie erscheint 

12 Mal im Jahr, jeweils am ersten Donnerstag im Monat, 

und wird der Tageszeitung beigelegt. 

Darüber hinaus ist sie in Lodges, Hotels, Pensionen, 

Gästefarmen in Namibia und in 20 verschiedenen 

Reisebüros in Deutschland sowie der Schweiz erhältlich. 

Die Auslandsbüros des Namibischen Tourismusrates (NTB) 

in London, Frankfurt, Johannesburg und Kapstadt erhalten 

weitere Exemplare, ebenso der Tourismusrat in Kapstadt 

(Cape Town Tourism) und etwa 100 Abonnenten in Europa. 

Im Abo für Europa kostet die Publikation 60 Euro pro Jahr 

(inklusive Verpackung und Versand). 

Messe-Teilnahme: 

Mit unseren Partnern Southern Cross Safaris, Bwana 

Tucke Tucke und dem Namibischen Tourismusrat (NTB), ist 

Tourismus Namibia auf Reisemessen in folgenden Orten 

erhältlich: 

Berlin, Bremen, Dortmund, Durban, Frankfurt, Köln, Leipzig, 

London, München, Stuttgart, Windhoek, Zürich. 

Die aktuelle Ausgabe wird am Stand von Tourismus Namibia 

P3A in der Präsidentenhalle auf der Namibia Tourism Expo 

erhältlich sein. 

Titelseite: 

Foto: Skeleton Coast Safaris 

Gestaltung: Uwe Schwesinger 

Aktuell 

Besuchen Sie uns auf der Namibia 

Tourism Expo am Stand P3A in der 

Präsidentenhalle.

12 Nebel hatte das wohl deutscheste 

Kilometer fahre ich vom Strand in 

Swakopmund zurück landeinwärts. 

aller deutschen Kaiserbäder in eine bizarre, 

fast bedrohliche Hülle getaucht, doch mit 

jedem Kilometer, der weg vom Atlantik führt, 

wird der Himmel freundlicher. Inmitten der 

trockenen Namib-Wüste liegt das „Sophia 

Dale“-Restcamp, hier hat Skiprofi Henrik May 

sein Basislager. 

Die Sonne scheint, als der 35-Jährige Ex- 

Profi mich freundlich in seiner Werkstatt 

begrüßt. Er poliert die mit Spezialwachs 

behandelten Skier, dabei philosophiert er 

über die Schwierigkeiten in den vergangenen 

sieben Jahren. 2002 kam ein Freund aus 

Deutschland zu Besuch. Der hatte Skier dabei 

– und brachte May auf die Idee: Skifahren in 

der Wüste, von steilen Dünenkämmen ins 

Tal wedeln. Oder aber per Langlauf durch die 

Namib gleiten, der ältesten Wüste der Welt. 

„Es war jahrelange Eigenforschung“, meint 

May zu den Schwierigkeiten, Skier für die 

Wüste zu präparieren, vor allem in Punkto 

Geschwindigkeit. Sand bremst, aber jetzt hat 

May endlich ein Spezialwachs gefunden, mit 

dem er immerhin 65 km/h erreicht. Noch ist 

die alpine Wüsten-Variante etwas langsamer 

als das Skifahren im Schnee. „Aber mein Ziel 

sind 90“, lacht Henrik. Allzu zerstörerisch seien 

die Sandkörner der Namib aber nicht für die 

Skier, erklärt Henrik, aufgrund des Alters der 

Namib seien die Körner eben rundgewachsen. 

„Aber ich habe viel Geld verbrannt“, sagt der 

Ex-Profi, für die Entwicklung von robusten 

Bindungen, die im so feinen Namib-Sand 

länger halten sollen. 

Genug der Theorie. Henrik packt die Skier 

in den Kofferraum, dann fahren wir an die 

Rückseite der Dünen. Langsam kommen wir 

den in 40 000 Jahren erschaffenen Sandbergen 

näher, sie werden mächtiger, höher, gelber. 

Eine Düne ragt heraus, besonders hoch, 

besonders kantig. „Unser Matterhorn“ grinst 

Henrik. Einer der „schönsten Abfahrtshänge“, 

schwärmt der Ex-Profi. Viele Jahre stand der 

Thüringer im Fokus der Skiszene, in den 80ern 

trainierte er im thüringischen Oberhof an der 

Skischule Nordische Kombination, absolvierte 

viele Wettkämpfe. 

Jetzt stapfen wir in den schweren Skistiefeln 

durch den feinen Namib-Sand, die Skier 

geschultert, der Anstieg zum namibischen 

„Matterhorn“ beginnt. „Es ist ein fast 

müheloser Aufstieg“, höre ich Henrik noch 

sagen, der schon wenige Meter Vorsprung 

EXPO 2009 Special 

freizeit 

Vom „Matterhorn“ durch 

den Wüstensand wedeln 

hat. Ich konzentriere mich auf das Laufen, es 

ist wie Treppensteigen, vernehme ich Henriks 

Stimme aus der Ferne, trotzdem sinke ich 

mal mehr, mal weniger ein. So wie die Quarz- 

Kristalle funkeln, fühlt man sich fast wie im 

Schnee, nur eben wärmer. 80 bis 90 Meter 

ist das „Matterhorn“ hoch, je nach Wind, der 

die Sandkörner abträgt oder aufhäuft. Henrik 

braucht für die 680 Schritte normalerweise 

sechs Minuten und 20 Sekunden, ruft er mir 

entgegen, während mir der Schweiß über das 

Gesicht rinnt. Heute aber sei auch er nicht in 

Top-Form, „schon drei Wochen keine Abfahrt 

mehr gehabt“, höre ich ihn aus der Ferne 

rufen. 

Nach fast 20 Minuten, Henrik hat inzwischen 

auf mich gewartet, komme ich auf dem Gipfel 

an. Der kühlende Wind vom Meer bläst mir ins 

Gesicht, mein Körper richtet sich kerzengerade 

auf, auch weil die Aussicht gigantisch ist. 

Die weichen Dünen liegen in der harten 

Nachmittagssonne, der Kontrast zwischen den 

Namibia Country Lodges once again offers: 

2 nights on B&B basis for 2 persons at any of our lodges 

for N$ 650.00. Single persons pay N$ 450.00 on 

B&B basis for 2 nights. 

Vouchers available only at the Namibia Country Lodges 

stand, No B5 in the Presidents Hall on the balcony. 

P.O.Box 6597, Windhoek, Tel: ++264 61 374750, 

Fax ++264 61 256598, e-mail: reservations@ncl.com.na 

website:www.namibialodges.com 

44 

dunklen Schattenseiten und gleißend-gelben 

Sonnenabschnitten ist gigantisch. Das Auto 

im Tal hat nur noch Miniaturformat. Doch wir 

wollen jetzt die Düne runterbrettern. 

Ich stelle meine Schuhe in die Ski-Bindung. 

Nicht so hart auf Kante fahren, rät Henrik, 

sonst fällt man schneller. „Auf Sand fahren 

ist wie eine gut präparierte Piste mit 20 

Zentimetern Neuschnee“, so seine Erfahrung. 

Also, genug geredet, hilft ja nichts, irgendwie 

müssen wir wieder runterkommen. Henrik 

fährt voraus, galant wedelt er die ersten Meter 

hinab, zieht die ersten Spuren in die nur vom 

Wind gezeichnete Düne. Dann starte ich, etwas 

verkrampft, eigentlich läuft es gut, eigentlich 

ist es tatsächlich wie auf Neuschnee, doch 

dann kante ich etwas zu viel und falle – aber 

der Sand ist weich. Er klebt am Gesicht, auch 

durch die salzige Luft des Meeres, aber kein 

Problem, ich stehe wieder auf und genieße 

die Abfahrt. 160 Meter sind es insgesamt, 

und weil der Sand bremst, bleibt sogar noch 

June 2009 

Von Jan Grundmann 

Zeit, die wunderbare Namib während der Ski- 

Schwünge zu genießen. 

Unten angekommen, möchte ich gleich wieder 

hoch, wieder 20 Minuten Aufstieg, wieder eine 

phänomenale Aussicht, wieder wird gewedelt, 

diesmal aber ohne Sturz. Vier Aufgänge 

schaffen wir, bevor die Nachmittagssonne 

schon fast untergeht. Henriks Rekord liegt bei 

12 Märschen mit anschließendem Talwedeln. 

Und erst, nachdem Henrik im Tal zum Après- 

Ski lädt, merke ich, wie schwer sich eigentlich 

mein Körper anfühlt, wie angenehm eigentlich 

Sitzen sein kann. 

Henrik wird im Sommer sein „Basislager“ 

verlegen: Ende August eröffnet er einen 

Skiverleih mit Skischule in der Swakopmunder 

Innenstadt. So hofft er, noch mehr Besucher für 

sein Angebot begeistern zu können: Geführte 

Nachtwanderungen per Ski unter dem Kreuz 

des Südens durch die Dünen, Ski-Langlauf, 

alpine Abfahrten. Auch Skitouren hat er dabei im 

Angebot – etwa eine sechstätige Durchquerung 

der Namib-Wüste von Sossusvlei bis Walvis 

Bay. Das hat er im März erfolgreich versucht, 

das deutsche ZDF-Fernsehen war dabei, Ende 

August startet die buchbare Wiederholung. 

Gut konditionierte Skifahrer können durch die 

Farb- und Formenvielfalt der Namib fahren 

und dabei Tiere wie etwa Oryx-Antilopen 

beobachten. n 

Kontakt: 

www.ski-namibia.com, 

henrik@ski-namibia.com, Tel: 085 – 55 92 900

Visit our stall at Presidents Hall, P3 A - Allgemeine Zeitung Namibia

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