Wilderness Namibia welcomes summer
Wilderness Damaraland Camp newsletter
We received a few drops of rain twice in September, and most of the time it was cloudy and overcast. The vegetation is actually quite green and alive, with the flowers smelling delightful and attracting bees and flower-petal insects.
Damaraland Camp Activities in Aug-Sep
Scenic drives took in the beauty of Damaraland’s dry river courses, and all its desert-adapted wildlife and vegetation. Visiting the community villages and appreciating the unusual beauty of nature in the desert, and seeing the elephants daily are always highlights.
We celebrated our Wilderness Heritage Week with our staff looking stunning in their traditional attire, happily making each moment special. We offered traditional cuisine, with some of our favourites like mopane worms, spinach, and traditional butter beans in creamy Oshikundu, to mention but a few. That evening the surrounding community and staff members were ready to celebrate all our cultural diversity and share their traditional backgrounds. Indeed, it was remarkable.
Damaraland Camp special set-ups
At Damaraland Camp we are very proud of our diverse offerings, and we strive to make everyone feel at home, while at the same time offering unforgettable experiences for our guests.
We set up a fantastic river lunch; also, gin stops up on the hill and around the fire, which blow our guests’ imaginations as they feel very special. Our welcome singing leaves everyone emotional and our guests take home magical memories. “You sing from the heart, your melody is naturally connected”, said one of our guests.
Guest comments
Our most regular praise is for our delicious food, and the staff’s attentiveness and friendliness, while one party of guests said “It’s all in the little details – paper-bag lights, the bonfire in the Boma, welcome drinks with fresh herbal leaves on every return to camp, floor lights on the deck delightful. This is a healing place indeed”.
Managers, staff and guides
General Manager Collin Ananias Netope with Assistant Manager Monika Edward; Sem Alweendo is our gifted mechanic; Kitchen run by Mr Pinehas, with Pauline, Ashley, Josephine and Emilia – strong chefs and good communicators; Housekeeping supervised by Hansina-Anna Swartbooi, and assisted by hardworking Riana and Elizabeth Simon; our four bush ambassadors are the guiding team of Enos, Joas Nicky and Frankie – knowledgeable indeed.
Compiled by Monika Edward
Pictures by Collin Ananias Netope
Wilderness Hoanib Skeleton Coast Camp newsletter
Early summer weather and landscapes of the Hoanib
The maximum temperature for the month was 38° C and the minimum 8° C. The prevailing wind blew in from the west, creating a nice cool breeze.
The area is very dry, though the morning fog brings some moisture. The Hoanib River is also dry, but the underground water supports a variety of vegetation, which brings the wildlife and makes the drives here so very special.
Wildlife and birds in and around Hoanib Skeleton Coast Camp
As always, the lioness Charlie was seen from drives, and even visited the camp for a drink at the waterhole. The baboons use the waterhole as a bath, but this frustrates the elephants as they mess in the waterhole, and as we all know, elephants do not like dirty water. Our guests saw oryx, giraffes, dassies (rock hyrax), steenbok, springbok, ostriches, of course seals at Möwe Bay, and a variety of birds.
Amazingly, we had all three herds of elephants visiting our camp waterhole, an amazing sight for both staff, and guests, with the best part being they arrived while all the guests were having lunch with a clear view of the waterhole.
Guide William spotted a Gray’s lark with his guests, which is a very rare sighting in the Hoanib Floodplains.
We welcomed a newborn elephant that visited the camp waterhole with its family, and we watched it playing in the water – so wonderful and exciting.
Camp news
We created a wonderful setup at the pool area, decorated by Assistant Manager Hilde, for a special 60th birthday celebration. The guests really enjoyed the party.
The trip to Möwe Bay is always special, and guests cannot stop talking about the paella that we serve on the beach. It is always a highlight. The majority of guests requested the recipe, and even asked if they could take the chef back home with them! Well done, Chef Ester Shinene!
Guest comments
“The entire staff seemed to work as a united team”.
“Spectacular experience, especially the excursion to the Skeleton Coast – should not be missed! Beautiful setting + accommodations, we will miss our guide, Ben he is the best”.
“Made us feel welcome, the warm bottles in the bed (bushbabies) gave us great memories. Better than any other camp”.
Staff News
Bradwin Wilhelm re-joined the Hoanib team as Food & BeveragesManager. We are very happy to have him back at Wilderness with his experience and exciting new ideas. Welcome back Bradwin.
Munya Maposa visited our camp for Bar101 training, and it was very productive and fun as Front of House staff prepared a variety of cocktails which looked amazing.
Siobhan the Food Experience Manager also visited the camp to check on the chefs.
Newsletter by Jonathan Strauss
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