Results tagged “Namibia” from Olwen Evans Photography

Nestled in the Ongava Reserve, adjacent to Etosha National Park in Namibia, lies a Namibian gem - Ongava Tented Camp (OTC).

Located in a wooded area of Mopane trees, both the dining area and Meru-stlye tents all overlook a waterhole teeming with bird and animal life including the occasional lion and rhino. Relaxing OTC-style includes lounging around a pool, or enjoying dinner with brightly coloured weaver birds constructing their nests overhead while overlooking a waterhole and wallow with their ever-changing visitors.

The appeal of Ongava Tented Camp lies in the fact that one is literally part of the surroundings, the proximity of game, while still maintaining the luxury of excellent accommodation and food.  OTC is enhanced by staff and guides with extensive knowledge and experience and its small guest numbers.

 Ongava Tented Camp is the place for close-up animal encounters.

African safaris are always special, but now and then one finds one that is not only different, but makes a difference. The opportunity to track the critically endangered black rhino with Save the Rhino Trust, Namibia (SRT), is a safari in a category all on its own.

SRT is a NGO founded in response to the large scale poaching of rhino and other species of wildlife. Comprised of a group of local people and conservationists concerned about the destruction of their country's wildlife, they began a collaborative effort to protect the remaining desert-adapted black rhino and encourage its recovery. The Kunene region is home to the largest concentration of black rhino on earth to survive on land that has no formal conservation status. One third of the worlds black rhino are found in Namibia - a testament to the collaboration between the Namibia Ministry of Environment and Tourism, SRT and the local tourism industry.

Based at Wilderness Safaris' luxurious Desert Rhino Camp you get the opportunity to track black rhino on foot and hopefully not get too close. An experience never to be forgotten! While enjoying an early breakfast, the tracking team of Save the Rhino Trust set out to hopefully locate these impressive, solitary animals. Keeping in contact with them by radio, following them by Land Rover takes you through the stark landscape of red rocks, spotted with the toxic Euphorbia damarana which comprises a large part of the black rhino's diet. It can be hot, really hot, and spotting 'wet poop', as out guide Clement put it, a real relief.

From there it's on foot over those same red rocks, as quietly as the terrain allows, stalking these skittish animals, but the thrill of seeing these magnificent, almost prehistoric-looking animals, makes it all worth while. All the excitement is followed by lunch at a nearby spring, during which the trackers complete their logs and talk about the work of the trust.

For those who want a more interactive experience than the standard OESODES (observe-eat-siesta-observe-drink-eat-sleep) safari, this is an experience I highly recommend! I would though, suggest starting your safari in an area of higher wildlife density and visiting Desert Rhino Camp later in your itinerary.

With so much to experience beyond the borders of the capital of Namibia, most visitors treat Windhoek as a springboard, but time spent in the city can be treated as an opportunity to gain perspective on the complexities of this young nation.
From the colonial architecture, to the bustling markets, craftspeople and streets of the black suburbs, time spent in Windhoek is a great starting point before exploring the wild country beyond the city limits.
Wilderness Safaris' staff, Ellis and Barnabas, know the city and people in a way that makes one get the most out of a city tour in a safe and comfortable way.
For more details on visiting Namibia, Chris McIntyre's Bradt Guide to Namibia is the best out there.

When thinking of a safari it's usually wildlife that comes to mind. Wilderness Safaris Namibia offers a unique experience - one where wildlife is only part of the journey. The vast, stark landscape and the diversity of its peoples makes Namibia an obvious choice of destination. One gets to experience a balance of cultural and ecotourism unparalleled in Africa, in settings where observes and feels part of an harmonious co-existence of indigenous people and wildlife. These are a few of the images captured over the past few weeks in Damaraland. Enjoy!

Namibia Wilderness. The Land, The People. An exhibition at the National Art Gallery of Namibia, at the start of International Red Cross week on 3 May 2010.
Namibia, twice the size of California, is one of the most sparsely populated countries on earth. A vast land of contrasts and diversity and to me, one of the most beautiful countries. Join us to pay tribute to the volunteers who form the backbone of the Namibia Red Cross Society.

A flying safari with the legendary Schoeman family of Skeleton Coast Safaris in Namibia is the experience of a lifetime. Andre Schoeman, a former South African precision flying champion, and his brothers Bertus, Henk and Leon are Namibians who grew up with the Skeleton Coast as their playground and Andre's awesome flying skills and intimate knowledge of the country and it's natural history make this safari a photographer's dream. Chat to Charlotte at Aardvark Safaris for booking info.