Wonderful interaction at Guest Farm Kiripotib.

Some five years ago, one of weavers engaged on Farm Kiripotib, Thomas Iliaser, approached employers Hans and Claudia von Hase on behalf of his twenty five colleagues with an intriguing initiative. The workers had collected N$ 250 between themselves and wanted to build a church close to their farm dwellings. The already admirable relationship between farm owners and staff was further enhanced by the decision of Hans and Claudia to match all funds collected dollar for dollar. To raise the money needed, the workers gave choir recitals on both Kiripotib and neighbouring farms, travelling distances of up to ninety kilometres and generated still more funds through collections at their church meetings. Now the church structure stands proudly alongside their homesteads in the veldt but sadly Thomas Iliaser passed away earlier this year just before his dream was finally realised.

Hans von Hase had operated personalised safari tours since 1995, but the construction of three guest rooms, the ever growing burden of running a modern day working farm, combined with the continual growth of Claudia's Kirikara African Art business prompted the couple to concentrate solely on hosting tourists at their farm and thus, earlier this year, Guest Farm Kiripotib was born. The two most recently built chalets, each offering an additional child friendly bed, have brought guest accommodation to twelve in all. Two twin bedded safari tents that remain from the erstwhile touring era - complete with open air showers et al - may still appeal to more hardy and budget conscious visitors. All three guest rooms and especially the new chalets have been most imaginatively designed and beautifully fitted out under the artistic eye of the talented Claudia.

Guests staying on Farm Kiripotib can enjoy a host of activities whilst relishing also an abundance of freshly prepared and well presented farm cuisine. Owner Hans will be happy to give farm visitors a detailed and interesting insight into the holistic management routines introduced some ten years ago after a period of debilitating drought, and the subsequently successful turn around of the livestock husbandry on Kiripotib.

There are three newly developed hiking trails on the farm: an Aloe trail, a Game Camp walk and the rigorous but scenically beautiful hike in the nearby Karubeams Mountains. The swimming pool, set in a delightful shaded garden area, will offer guests respite from the African sun. Tourists can also take game and sundowner 4x4 drives, and expect to spot zebra, Oryx, Springbok, Blesbok, Red Hartebeest and Ostrich. Visits to a nearby private observatory for stargazing and to the Anin embroidery project can also be arranged.

Best of all is undoubtedly the Kalahari Nature Experience (Wild horses and all), a half day excursion into the scintillating rich red Kalahari dunelands nearby. All around is extraordinary vegetation, flourishing in this harsh, arid yet beautiful semi desert area, with lovely acacias including camelthorn trees harbouring huge social weavers nests, shepherd trees - so called for the welcoming shade they offer those tending small stock - and bush savannah all making the contrast of green against red fabulous to behold.

Scenery may take the honours, but game too enjoys this 4000 hectare area of pristine Kalahari with Oryx, Springbok, Steenbok and Kudu likely be seen grazing. Of great interest too will surely be the possibility of seeing a tribe of wild horses - thought to now number sixty - and almost certainly related to the famous feral desert steeds of Aus in the Namib. In the eighties, during a prolonged period of terrible incapacitating drought, Nature Conservation feared that these critical conditions might possibly lead to the extinction of these fascinating wild horses from the desert areas around Aus. So they offered these horses - at no cost - to anyone who could organise transport at their own expense and collect them from the Namib. Hence the horses now are thriving amongst the usually plentiful stipagrostis grasses in the Kalahari close to the guest farm.

Another highlight of any visit here will doubtless be a guided tour of the Kirikara workshops and gallery, so to view Claudia's engaging and diverse African Arts enterprise at first hand. The Kirikara weavery first began in 1988, with the weavers having to undertake an apprenticeship of between two to three years to become fully trained. Their motto is 'learning by doing' and experienced weavers such as Abed Angombe, one of the first apprentices to join the studio, now looks out with his colleagues for talented youngsters to also learn their trade. All processes are carried out by hand, from the spinning and dyeing of the wool yarn to the weaving itself. Indeed visitors will be able to witness every production stage of these sublime karakul wool carpets and rugs, and interact with the spinners and weavers alike. Likewise, in the jewellery studio, an opportunity to watch a goldsmith at work creating unique and exquisite pieces. Next into the gallery, where finished carpets and rugs sit alongside jewels superbly fashioned from precious metals, gemstones and other exotica including the sought after Ekipa buttons. Moreover there is a fine selection of unique handmade arts, crafts and curios sourced from all over Africa. Guests can discuss their own ideas and requirements with the designers themselves, place orders for onward shipment or purchase any of the exceptional pieces on display. Such is the success of African Kirikara Art that Claudia has now opened outlets in Swakopmund (Am Ankerplatz in Sam Nujoma Drive) and also in the charming old post office building in Hout Bay, one of Cape Town's prettiest suburbs.

Fact File

Guest Farm Kiripotib is just a two hour drive from both Windhoek and the International Airport, via the B6, C23/MR33 and D1448 routes. The chalets and guests rooms can provide accommodation for 12. 2 twin bedded safari tents await more hardy souls. Tel/Fax +264 (0)62 581419: E-mail [email protected] : Website www.kiripotib.com