Rosh Pinah Nama Padloper Route: Linking the splendours of the south
The mining companies at Rosh Pinah in Southern Namibia have for years unlocked immense mineral wealth below the desert terrain, but in a new development are now also becoming the catalysts in the opening up of latent tourist potential in the region.
A new tourist route was launched at a function in Amica Lodge at Rosh Pinah at 27th of April. The launch function was attended by community leaders, executives from the mining and business community and stake holders in tourism. The new, so-called "Nama Padloper Route", takes its quaint name from one of the smallest tortoises in Southern Africa. The Nama Padloper ("Homopus bergeri") is a relatively new scientific discovery, with a very limited distribution range in southern Namibia. The small desert-hardy reptile occurs nowhere else in the world. The name also conjures up linkage with the original inhabitants, the San-speaking Nama people, and the concept of travel or "walking along the road".
The facilitator for the establishment of the Nama Padloper route is the Open Africa Initiative, a non-governmental organization, which has been instrumental in initiating an extensive series of traveller's routes in six African countries. The Nama Padloper Route is now part of Open Africa's network of 61 other travellers' routes in Southern Africa. It's the third Open Africa route initiated in Namibia. The others in Namibia are the Four Deserts Route, grouping together the wonders of the southern deserts; and the Caprivi Wetlands Paradise Route in the north, which showcases the extensive wetlands of the region. Operations manager of Open Africa, Francois Viljoen says tourism has the potential to broaden the base of economic development in Southern Namibia. He believes it opens up long term economic activity which may even have the potential to outlive the life expectancy of some of the mineral resources. It also dovetails with the social responsibility commitments of the big corporations. The new route forms part of Open Africa's broader vision, to link the splendours of Africa in a network of community-based tourism routes from Cape Town to Cairo.
The corporate sponsor for the new Nama Padloper Route is the Anglo Skorpion Zinc mine at Rosh Pinah. This huge mining industrial complex came on stream in 2001, and has since transformed a small dusty town into a thriving community. The mine's wealth is apparently the single biggest contributor to profits of the Anglo base metal division. General Manager of Skorpion Zinc, Gerald Boting has now also turned his hand to gentler endeavours and has played a prominent role in establishing the tourist route, which is aimed at attracting visitors to the area for the sheer enjoyment of its natural beauty, wide open spaces and adventure opportunities.
Paddling the tranquil waters of the Orange River; scrambling up barren hillsides to discover rare succulents; browsing about on the site of an historic abandoned mine, or negotiating rugged terrain on an exciting four by four drive are but a few of the travel options available in the area. The Nama Padloper route has five subdivisions. The link along the Orange River opens up an exciting alternate gateway to a visit in Namibia. The 160 kilometres of gravel road from the border post at Noordoewer/Vioolsdrift to Rosh Pinah skirts the river's embankment. It offers rugged spectacular mountain scenery; accommodation at lodges, camp sites and opportunities for canoeing and bird watching. On reaching Rosh Pinah, the town has five establishments offering accommodation and provides every modern convenience.
Branching out from the town are two alternate routes, which head north. The 'Kyk in die Pot' sub-route, is quaintly named because a particular sharp and steep bend made it possible to peep into the cooking pots on the stove of a roadside farm house. The Witputs Route offer interesting opportunities to explore the countryside and its attractions. The easier link to the north is via the new tar road direct from Rosh Pinah to Aus. This is an easy base from which to see the famous wild horses of the Namib desert. n
Full details of the Nama Padloper Route and other routes in the Open Africa network can be found on www.africandream.org.
A new tourist route was launched at a function in Amica Lodge at Rosh Pinah at 27th of April. The launch function was attended by community leaders, executives from the mining and business community and stake holders in tourism. The new, so-called "Nama Padloper Route", takes its quaint name from one of the smallest tortoises in Southern Africa. The Nama Padloper ("Homopus bergeri") is a relatively new scientific discovery, with a very limited distribution range in southern Namibia. The small desert-hardy reptile occurs nowhere else in the world. The name also conjures up linkage with the original inhabitants, the San-speaking Nama people, and the concept of travel or "walking along the road".
The facilitator for the establishment of the Nama Padloper route is the Open Africa Initiative, a non-governmental organization, which has been instrumental in initiating an extensive series of traveller's routes in six African countries. The Nama Padloper Route is now part of Open Africa's network of 61 other travellers' routes in Southern Africa. It's the third Open Africa route initiated in Namibia. The others in Namibia are the Four Deserts Route, grouping together the wonders of the southern deserts; and the Caprivi Wetlands Paradise Route in the north, which showcases the extensive wetlands of the region. Operations manager of Open Africa, Francois Viljoen says tourism has the potential to broaden the base of economic development in Southern Namibia. He believes it opens up long term economic activity which may even have the potential to outlive the life expectancy of some of the mineral resources. It also dovetails with the social responsibility commitments of the big corporations. The new route forms part of Open Africa's broader vision, to link the splendours of Africa in a network of community-based tourism routes from Cape Town to Cairo.
The corporate sponsor for the new Nama Padloper Route is the Anglo Skorpion Zinc mine at Rosh Pinah. This huge mining industrial complex came on stream in 2001, and has since transformed a small dusty town into a thriving community. The mine's wealth is apparently the single biggest contributor to profits of the Anglo base metal division. General Manager of Skorpion Zinc, Gerald Boting has now also turned his hand to gentler endeavours and has played a prominent role in establishing the tourist route, which is aimed at attracting visitors to the area for the sheer enjoyment of its natural beauty, wide open spaces and adventure opportunities.
Paddling the tranquil waters of the Orange River; scrambling up barren hillsides to discover rare succulents; browsing about on the site of an historic abandoned mine, or negotiating rugged terrain on an exciting four by four drive are but a few of the travel options available in the area. The Nama Padloper route has five subdivisions. The link along the Orange River opens up an exciting alternate gateway to a visit in Namibia. The 160 kilometres of gravel road from the border post at Noordoewer/Vioolsdrift to Rosh Pinah skirts the river's embankment. It offers rugged spectacular mountain scenery; accommodation at lodges, camp sites and opportunities for canoeing and bird watching. On reaching Rosh Pinah, the town has five establishments offering accommodation and provides every modern convenience.
Branching out from the town are two alternate routes, which head north. The 'Kyk in die Pot' sub-route, is quaintly named because a particular sharp and steep bend made it possible to peep into the cooking pots on the stove of a roadside farm house. The Witputs Route offer interesting opportunities to explore the countryside and its attractions. The easier link to the north is via the new tar road direct from Rosh Pinah to Aus. This is an easy base from which to see the famous wild horses of the Namib desert. n
Full details of the Nama Padloper Route and other routes in the Open Africa network can be found on www.africandream.org.
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