Written by Michael Clark on 29/09/08, filed under Namibia Safari | No Comments
Of all of the lodges in which I worked during my 6 years in Namibia, few places had guests as speechless as when they entered Mowani for the first time! Mowani truly is a delight on the eye; the main building and dining area with their mushroom shaped thatch roofs blend seamlessly with the granite mountainside in which the lodge is set.
There are 12 luxury tents, and 2 private suites all with stunning views over the surrounding Damaraland landscape which is made up of golden coloured savannahs and numerous, ancient mountain ranges. The lodge is held in high regard and it is not uncommon for guests to simply relax around the pool or in their tent instead of partaking in any of the activities the lodge offers.
Should one want to venture out, the highlight of the area is definitely the rare, endangered Desert Elephant population which inhabit the area during the dry southern African winter months. These Elephants originally migrated from the Damaraland area to the Etosha National park throughout the year; but due to human encroachment these Elephants now have to eke out an existence year round in the desert, spending the winter months in the dry seasonal rivers which possess an abundance of tall Acacia trees. It truly is the most awe inspiring setting in which to view these majestic giants of the Namib! Combined with this are the Bushmen engravings of the Twyfelfontein cliffs; now a World heritage sight, these engravings and paintings date back thousands of years and provide a wonderful insight into how they lived off the land and its animals, and a glimpse into their spiritual past.
Damaraland is often bypassed on Namibian itineraries but it is quintessential to the wild, remote reputation for which Namibia is renowned. For me it is a must for any safari to this amazingly diverse country.
Written by Robyn Grieves-Cook on 07/05/08, filed under Namibia | No Comments
Namibia, often an overlooked holiday destination, is a fantastic location to enjoy haunting desert landscapes, unique nature and a fascinating culture. When people think of holidays in Africa, thoughts turn to destinations such as Egypt, Kenya and South Africa, and often people don’t realise what countries such as Namibia have to offer.
For those looking to experience a safari holiday, Namibia is a great choice, and while it may not have the huge herds of game that you find in some East African Safari destinations, it still has an incredible diversity of wildlife and many unique desert species.
Visit Walvis Bay on the coast to see flamingos and a great array of birdlife, or head east to the Kalahari Desert to view ostrich, springbok and oryx.
For a wondrous spectacle, head to Cape Cross to view the amazing fur seal colony – literally hundreds of thousands of bull seals, sleeping, feeding and staking out their territory!
For those who love choice, Etosha National Park is home to no less than 114 species of mammals, like the rare black-faced impala, black rhino, elephant, cheetah, lion, leopard, hyena to name a few.
When you begin to consider the chance to see exotic wildlife and experience both a fascinating and sometimes surreal landscape, Namibia starts to become a really exciting option, from the huge red dunes at Sossusvlei – ideal for sand boarding and quad biking, to the eerie Skeleton Coast, referred to as “The Land God Made in Anger” by Namibian bushmen, and so called because of the bleached whale and seal bones and skeletal ship wrecks which line the coast.
Consider the following four hotels and lodges when looking to get the most out of your stay in Namibia:
Ongava Lodge
The Ongava Lodge at Etosha National Park is perfectly placed for game viewing. Located on a hill overlooking the surrounding plains, the Ongava Lodge offers luxury accommodation within thatched chalets, beautifully appointed and affording great views of the surrounding savannah.
Sossusvlei Wilderness Camp
The Sossusvlei Wilderness Camp at the Namib Naukluft Park in the Namib Desert is located on a private reserve, built on a mountain to provide stunning views over the desert.
The camp is ideally situated to experience the beauty of the Namib Desert within accommodation that affords privacy within each of the nine guest rooms.
Skeleton Coast Camp
Skeleton Coast Camp, located centrally on a private reserve is a tented camp built in the dried up Khumib river bed. The camp is set amid a spectacular range of scenery, from skeletal bones of seals and whales lining the coast, to shipwrecks, canyons and saltpans.
The Burning Shore Lodge
Located in Swakopmund among the largest sand dunes in the world, the Burning Shore Lodge is perfectly located to experience this beautiful region, with the opportunity to enjoy a range of activities such as dune quad biking and sky diving.
If you are interested in a holiday in Namibia, contact Africa Sky to book or enquire on 0870 9040 925
Written by Robyn Grieves-Cook on 02/05/08, filed under Kenya Beach | No Comments
Voyager Beach Resort is now the number one beach hotel on the Trip Advisor travel review website.
Voyager is a great family focused resort which offers a huge range of activities to keep all the family as active or relaxed as they choose to be.
The beach at Nyali is one of the best in Kenya, lovely white sand and blue sea. It offers a fantastic dive and watersports centre, with qualified Scuba instructors and a good range of windsurfers, Topper dinghies, canoes and Laser Fun Boats.
The resort is a good size with 232 rooms, or ‘cabins’ - the hotel runs on a ship theme! There are different categories of rooms from standard to larger family rooms and it offers all-inclusive, which is ideal for a family.
Voyager Beach Resort is a great destination for a family beach holiday on the Kenya Coast.
Of all of the lodges in which I worked during my 6 years in Namibia, few places had guests as speechless as when they entered Mowani for the first time! Mowani truly is a delight on the eye; the main building and dining area with their mushroom shaped thatch roofs blend seamlessly with the granite mountainside in which the lodge is set.
