Wilderness Namibia newsletters – November 2024

Weather and landscape

 

Damaraland! When it comes to summer weather, we regularly record the hottest temperatures of all our camps – and the summer of 2024, as I am writing this, is no exception. Our temperatures this month ranged between 18 and 40° Celsius.

 

We must acknowledge our team who deal with the sweltering sun and searing heat here in Damaraland. Their endurance is a test of their resilience, and a reminder of human perseverance in the face of nature’s extremes. 

 

 

 

 

We gave our guests wet kikois to drape over themselves to ease the heat, and looked forward to the nights, which arrived on a cool breeze. We offered ice buckets filled with chilled drinks, asking our visitors to bear with us in the heat.  

 

Wildlife

 

As usual, elephants and giraffes were seen in the dry river bed, and surrounding stream beds, attracted by the natural springs in the vicinity that feed the surrounding vegetation. 

 

Exciting news from the guides were the groups of elephants spotted out around the water points. Good sightings of wildlife were also recorded by our guides out on nature drives – these included springbok, Cape foxes, and ostriches.

 

Damaraland Camp embraces cultural diversity

 

Our Area Manager, Ms Lena Florry, was once a young livestock herder in the Torra community. Now the circle is complete, as she is part of the Joint Management Committee, getting out there to represent and give back to the conservancy residents, affirming our partnership, and honouring our cultural diversity.

 

Guest comments

 

• Special experience breakfast up on the hill; dinner up at the ‘Patio’
• Hospitality, food, friendliness and team spirit
• Almost everything. I like that we are called by name
• Cool box in the room, shower at the pool 

 

Managers, guides & other staff

 

Collin Ananias Netope (GM), Monika Edward (Assistant General Manager), Sem Alweendo (Mechanic), Mr Pinehas, Ashley, Pauline and veterans Josephine and Emelia (Kitchen), Hansina-Anna, Riana, Annalise, Virginia, Martha, Elizabeth and Fina (Housekeeping)

 

Managers Christelle and George are always on standby to fill in the gaps for Operations (Team Solid)

 

Guides: Enos, Joas, Nicky and Frankie
FOH: Donavan, Emmy, Leonie, Moreen and Dios
Men in Overalls: Oupa Wellem, Sylvester, Nivelle (Team No Sleep)

 

Newsletter by Monika N. Edward

Weather and landscape

 

Up here on the Kunene River, we experienced warm and dry weather, with daytime temperatures between 30°C and 38°C, and cooler nights around 18°C to 22°C. There was minimal rainfall, with mostly clear skies, and occasional afternoon wind.

 

In November, the river at Serra Cafema transforms dramatically and what has been a ribbon of crystal-clear water turns a muddy brown as dry river debris from eastern Namibia flows in, carried by early rains upstream. The river’s calm, reflective beauty shifts to a powerful current, reminding visitors of the dynamic nature of this desert oasis. 

 

Wildlife and birds  

 

 

 

 

Private guide Abner Simeon captured this amazing sighting of a western banded snake-eagle, well out of its usual range. A lovely rarity for Serra Cafema birding enthusiasts. 

 

Impact - Educate

 

Otjinungua Primary School is Children in the Wilderness Namibia’s partner school in the Marienfluss Conservancy. Mathew Shanyenge, our GM, was delighted to have been invited to deliver a speech on their career guidance day recently.

 

 

 

 

Camp news  

 

We were thrilled to host return guests for a 12-night stay this month.

 

We were also delighted to welcome Patricia Randall – all the way from Canada – to Sarah Kofima! During her visit, Patricia organised a small reception for our staff, treating everyone to a variety of snacks and platters. 

 

The team came together to reorganise the space, ensuring everything was perfect for the occasion. The atmosphere was filled with joy, and it was heartwarming to see everyone enjoying the gathering. 

 

Patricia expressed her happiness at the warm reception, and the staff truly appreciated her generosity and thoughtfulness. It was a wonderful experience, and we are grateful for the positive energy she brought to Sarah Kofima. 

 

Thank you, Patricia, for making this a memorable day for all of us!

Weather and landscape

 

We experienced cool to cold temperatures in the mornings and evenings at Hoanib Skeleton Coast Camp, with the prevailing westerly wind coming through in the late afternoons.  

 

It was quite a thrill to see the waters of the Hoanib River come down on the 22nd of November 2024. However, the river stopped flowing within 24 hours. 

 

 

 

 

Wildlife  

 

The usual desert-adapted specialists were seen from nature drives, including this beautiful springbok herd.

 

Camp news

 

We hosted an Ineos Grenadier group that had driven from Serra Cafema to Hoanib in their vehicles – they were quite the sight to behold when they arrived in camp!

 

The weather wasn’t really conducive to outside functions, but we did create some wonderful sundowner set-ups, as well as a traditional braai at the pool.

 

Staff news 

 

Congratulations to Jonathan who completed all Beverage Intelligence courses and Master classes, and received a total of 9 certificates with an average of 96%. 

 

Diana Rukoro came in to do some training with our chefs, and prepared and demonstrated dishes for the festive season as well.  

 

Guest comments 

 

 

 

 

The staff are all really friendly and knowledgeable & you feel like it’s genuine, not just a job. The camp is really well equipped, with every service & the food was exceptional.
 

Quality of food, premises and service. Staff level of service & knowledge. 

The entire set up, especially the welcome. Loved the singing and dancing. It was perfect. 

 

Professional guides, food all the time high quality and delicious. Friendless of all staff. Songs at the welcome and after dinner. 
Our guide Richard was outstanding. The manager Jonathan is top quality and has a wonderful team. All great. 

 

Newsletter compiled by Bradwin Wilhelm

Weather and landscape

 

At the beginning of the month, we had some nice cloud build-up, though we have not received any rain in camp. Mornings here were cool, but it naturally heated up during the day before cooling down to comfortable levels in the evening again. 

 

The landscapes are looking beautiful as almost all the trees are green now, and it adds a ‘sharpness’ to the environment’s appearance.

 

 

 

 

Wildlife 

 

Apart from guests’ on rhino tracking, we have also seen quite a few elephants in the area lately, which is a big plus. Other notable sightings were of desert-adapted giraffes, and we also saw a few snakes around the camp.

 

Impact - Empower

 

We cleaned up our BOH and removed all the offcut material from our rebuild, distributing the offcuts to nearby communities. We also continue to support and empower our local communities by procuring fresh veggies such as eggplant and lemons from them. 

 

Guest comments 

 

Everything was perfect. The team, the service, the food, the lodges, housekeeping, laundry service, snacks, drinks… and I could easily keep going. Just everything. And of course, the rhino tracking. 

 

The welcome, and attention of the team is fantastic; also the bush dinner. 

 

Love the open tents/ rooms but had to shut all the sides at night b/c of mosquitos.

 

Love the hospitality of all staff, the facility of the camp looks excellent. Appreciate all the support the camp does for the local community/ Rhinos.

 

Staff news 

 

Cendiana Ganuses has been promoted to FOH Supervisor. After starting at Wilderness in March 2016 as a Housekeeper, fast-forward to 2018 and she was promoted to Waitress in 2018. Over the years she has proven to be very hardworking and committed, and understands her duties, always exceeding our expectations. Since 2022 she has been in an acting supervisor role, and that experience has prepared her very well. Over time she has developed strong communication, and soft FOH, skills. Congratulations Cendiana. 
Our Area Manager for the ‘Three Ds’ (Damaraland, Desert Rhino and Doro Nawas camps) is Torra community stalwart, Lena Florry. Our Assistant Manager is Getruider Eises. 

Weather and landscape

 

We had typical desert extremes, with temperatures starting at 10° C, soaring up to 45° by mid-afternoon. 

 
We actually even had a drop of rain though – 0.6mm for the month.
Naturally the landscape is very dry, but it is relieved by the pretty yellow flowers of the devil thorns, as well as near-endemic trees like ringwood (Maerua schinzii) and the endemic bottle tree. 

 

 

 

 

Wildlife and birds 

 

Dryland specialists such as red hartebeest and sweet little steenbok were seen from nature drives, while dusky sunbirds and lappet-faced vultures were among the noteworthy birds. 

 

We always hear barking geckos, which start up in the evenings, but they are a thrillingly rare sighting. Iconic tok-tokkie beetles, which are part of the Tenebrionidae family – also known as darkling beetles – are always a delight to see. 

 

Impact - Empower

 

Representing Doro Nawas at De Riet, we helped the community with their water tank, as well as assisted the TOSCO group (Tourism Supporting Conservation Trust) that was putting up signage for self-drive tourists to avoid off-road driving, and information about what to do and what not to do on drives. 

 

A family of guests brought toys and stationery for the schoolchildren at De Riet village, which were so happily received, and we were proud to be able to facilitate the donation. 

 

 

 

 

Guest comments 

 

• Love the service and the staff – Stefanus was a great guide.
• Made us very welcome and were flexible with our request example leaving early for our outing.
• Your hospitality, the location and sustainability, the perfect guide.
• All-inclusive service welcome towels, drinks, songs.

 

Staff news 

 

Jaques and his team are busy with a renovation of the staff village, while Chef Trainer Siobhan was in camp to train the chefs on the new four-day menu.

 

Managers in camp this month were Agnes & Theodora.

The Kulala Wilderness Reserve: A desert oasis

 

The Namib Desert is typically hot and dry in November, but we were fortunate to experience a brief sprinkle of rain, followed by a light westerly sandstorm – a reminder of the dynamic and ever-changing nature of this environment.

 

KDL, with its 23 rooms all facing the iconic Namib red dunes, offers not just breath-taking views, but also a tranquil environment perfect for relaxation and reflection. As you take in the peaceful surroundings, you’ll be enveloped by the serene beauty of the ever-moving sea of Namib sands, making for an unforgettable desert escape. Don’t forget to pack a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen to protect yourself from the strong Namib sun.

 

 

 

 

Exploring the desert landscape

 

A walk down the dry riverbed at Kulala Desert Lodge reveals hidden desert treasures. One such marvel is the Star of the Namib (Calicorema capitata). This woody, perennial shrub grows up to 1 metre tall and boasts attractive white, woolly flowers with a deep pink star pattern at the centre.

 

Adapted to the harsh desert conditions, the Star of the Namib has evolved to minimise water loss. It is typically leafless, and when leaves do appear, they are reduced in size to limit the surface area through which water can evaporate.

 

Wildlife on the Kulala Wilderness Reserve

 

During one of our nature drives, our knowledgeable guide, Alfred Haneb, spotted a fascinating pair of knobbly beetles (Stenocara dentata) in a romantic encounter.

 

These remarkable creatures have adapted to the extremely dry Namib Desert, where rainfall is scarce and limited to about 10 millimetres per year. However, the desert experiences morning fog approximately six times a month, and it is from this fog that the knobbly beetles obtain their essential water.

 

As members of the Tenebrionidae, or darkling beetle, family, knobbly beetles have fused black wing casings covered in tiny, half-millimetre bumps. In the mornings, these beetles stand on their long legs, facing into the breeze with their bodies angled at 45 degrees. As the fog passes, tiny droplets accumulate on the hydrophilic bumps. When these droplets reach a diameter of about 5 millimetres, they become too heavy to adhere, and roll down the hydrophobic grooves to the beetle's mouth. In a single day, a knobbly beetle can collect an impressive 12% of its body weight in water, earning it the nickname "Six-legged Water Bottle”.

 

 

 

 

Memorable guest experiences 

 

One of our guests shared a truly unforgettable experience at KDL. After being with his partner for six years and planning to propose for the past three, he finally found the perfect location, atmosphere, and team to create a magical moment. With the breath-taking desert backdrop and the lodge's warm hospitality, he popped the question, and she said "YES"!

 

Guest comments

 

“Everyone was so friendly and welcoming! We love the amazing hospitality, wonderful food and even accommodating our dietary restrictions smoothly”.

 

“Great place for family stay, and wonderful guides”.

 

“A unique place to stay with great staff and fantastic guides. Given the remoteness of the camp the facilities were great and would highly recommend especially as it is very close to the park entrance. We stayed as a family with 3 children. They loved sleeping outside under the stars and the animals that came out in the night. The food was good and staff were very helpful. Hot air ballooning is not to be missed!”
Ben M, Tripadvisor.com

 

The Kulala Desert Lodge team

 

The KDL team is a true reflection of Namibia's rich cultural diversity, bringing together individuals from all walks of life. We are united by a shared passion for excellence, we work together to craft unique and memorable experiences for each of our guests, ensuring that every moment reflects the beauty and diversity of our heritage.

 

Management  

 

Edward Liwela – Camp Manager
Emilie N. Sauerbier – F&B Manager
Thereza Kahorongo – FOH Manager
Marnus Smit – BOH Manager

 

Newsletter by: Emilie N. Sauerbier, F&B Manager

Weather and landscape

 

We were lucky to get some good rain showers in the desert this month, which alleviated the heat when temperatures peaked at 42° Celsius. At least it is cool and comfortable at night though, with the temperature going down to 20°.

 

Naturally, the reserve still very dry, and we are hoping for some more rain so we can get to see the beautiful flowers that emerge in the desert after this rare natural event.

 

 

 

 

Wildlife on the Kulala Wilderness Reserve

 

Our guests were very happy to get to see a brown hyena in the mornings, cooling off in the waterhole right in front of camp – it was so interesting to see the animal actually lying in the water for some time. 

 

Camp news and guest comments 

 

We set up pool-side and bush dinners, which our guests enjoyed very much. 

“Everything was done so well, from the greeting every day to the quality of food and variety. The gentle warmth from everyone is amazing. Laundry was excellent, housekeeping and rooms fabulous, Sleeping outside”.

 

 

 

 

“Hospitality, service, friendliness, helpfulness, smiling, fabulous people, experience. Food was best ever”. 

 

“Everything, absolutely everything very impressed”. 

 

Staff news 

 

The staff enjoyed their year-end function, which started with a trip to Sossusvlei and Sesriem Canyon, and later in the evening the staff went out on a sundowner drive. The meals were fantastic and everyone helped to prepare the food.