Experience a unique Kalahari Safari

Willie Olivier Leonardville, Aranos and Gochas are the only towns developed as service centres for the surrounding farms in the heart of the Kalahari. Settlements on the western fringes of the Kalahari include Kalkrand, Stampriet, Hoachanas, Duineveld and Tses. Many cattle and small-stock farms in the Kalahari have given way to game farms. Visitors nowadays have a wide choice of lodges that offer guests the opportunity to experience the Kalahari. Typical Kalahari wildlife to be seen on a game drive include Blue Wildebeest, Plains- or Burchell’s Zebra, Gemsbok, Springbok, Giraffe, Eland, Kudu and Red Hartebeest, while exotic species such as Black Wildebeest, Waterbuck and Impala also occur. Ground Squirrel, Meerkat (Suricate) and Bat-eared Fox are among the smaller species, while Aardvark and Aardwolf are nocturnal inhabitants of the Kalahari. AUOB COUNTRY LODGE The Auob Country Lodge was among the first establishments along the Auob River, if not the very first, which enabled visitors to experience the unique atmosphere of the Kalahari. Situated along the usually dry course of the Auob River, the lodge opened its doors in the 1990s and is conveniently situated for travellers to- and from the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park which is just 150 km away, as well as travellers exploring the attractions of southern Namibia. Accommodation is available in 25 spacious rooms (with en-suite facilities), some of which overlook the swimming pool. Other facilities include a spacious lounge area, restaurant and a bar. A campsite with communal hot water ablutions, electricity points and braai facilitiesis situated immediately opposite the lodge. A variety of antelope can often be seen at the water point beyond from the campsite. A thatched boma provides the setting for a three-course buffet dinner offering a variety of dishes. Guests help themselves to starters and the buffet, while desert is served by the restaurant staff. After dinner, guests are entertained to a variety of songs by the choir formed by the lodge staff - an experience which is thoroughly enjoyed by guests. The lodge, which is situated on a 14 000 ha game farm, offers morning and afternoon game drives with sundowners on the dunes, as well as dinner on the dunes with prior arrangement. The more adventurous can explore the area along three marked trails of 6 km, 9km and 13 km. There are also plans to introduce mountain biking trails in the near future. BAGATELLE KALAHARI GAME RANCH Bagatelle Kalahari Game Ranch is set amongst 10 000 ha of spectacular red Kalahari dunes. The ranch is owner-managed by Etienne and Angela Carstens who acquired the farm from the previous owners, Fred and Onie Jacobs, six years ago. They were recently joined by Angela’s brother Kurt Southgate, a qualified chef. The main thatched complex comprises of the reception, lounge area, curio shop, restaurant, bar, and swimming pool. Accommodation ranges from spacious wooden chalets built on stilts on top of a red Kalahari dune with spectacular views and chalets in a valley between the dunes to garden court and pool rooms next to the lodge. Campers are catered for with five campsites set against the backdrop of the red Kalahari dunes. Each site has its own ablution block with hot water, shower, wash basin and flush toilet. Guests have a choice of two starters and two deserts served by the attentive and friendly staff at dinner, while the buffet offers a variety of dishes prepared under Kurt’s expert guidance. The innovative and scrumptious buffet dishes are simply delicious! Before or after dinner, guests can explore the incredibly clear night sky through a computerised telescope. In addition to morning scenic drives and afternoon nature drives which include a sun-downer on a dune, guests can also go on a night drive with the possibility of seeing nocturnal species such as Aardvark and Aardwolf. Other options include horseback safaris (suitable for beginners), a Bushman walk to a traditional village and cheetah feeding and viewing. With so many varied activities, Bagatelle is most definitely not worthy of just a one-night stayover! Travellers who need to relax after a long journey can make an appointment for a Bagatelle Signature Treatment. And you can even book a haircut and shave with Kurt to complete your pampering. The ranch is ideally situated for visitors exploring southern Namibia, the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park and other Kalahari destinations. KALAHARI RED DUNES LODGE The Kalahari Red Dunes Lodge, one of six establishments in the Ondili portfolio of lodges, has been in operation for the past eight years. The main lodge building, which accommodates the reception, restaurant, bar, lounge area, swimming pool and sun deck, is situated on a usually dry Kalahari pan, while the chalets are arranged along the edge of the pan. Elements of the former stock farm’s history and the environment have been incorporated in the main building and the chalets to create a warm, earthy atmosphere. The emphasis of Kalahari Red Dunes Lodge is on exceptional service, luxury and space. Accommodation ranges from a superior chalet with its own swimming pool and deck and six luxury thatch and canvas chalets consisting of a spacious lounge area, bedroom, en-suite shower and toilet, covered deck and outside shower to five standard chalets. The standard chalets are being upgraded systematically by the addition of the lounge area. A gourmet five-course dinner consisting of an amuse bouche (complimentary appetizer), starter, palate cleanser, main course (with a choice of two dishes) and desert is served by the restaurant staff. The presentation as well as quality is superb! Activities include morning and afternoon game drives (with sundowners on a dune), three self-guided walks ranging between one and four hours and guided walks. Visitors can also explore the area by mountain bike. For the more adventurous the overnight guided Trans Kalahari Walk is conducted throughout the year for a minimum of four participants. Situated just 6 km south of Kalkrand and 3 km off the B1, the lodge is conveniently situated for travellers to and from the south of the country and other Kalahari destinations.

Experience a unique Kalahari Safari

Kommentar

Allgemeine Zeitung 2024-11-14

Bitte melden Sie sich an, um einen Kommentar zu hinterlassen

Experience a unique Kalahari Safari

Kommentar

Allgemeine Zeitung 2024-11-14

Bitte melden Sie sich an, um einen Kommentar zu hinterlassen

ANMELDUNG