Wilderness Namibia Newsletters – August/September 2024

Early summer weather at Doro Nawas

The temperatures at this time of year vary from day to day, and even touched 40° Celsius at one point. The wind came up during the day, becoming very strong in the afternoons with occasional sandstorms, so we were thrilled to receive 3mm of rain on the 25th of September.

Seen from nature drives around the concession

Wildlife sightings included beautiful red hartebeest, giraffe and springbok, with elephants seen enjoying their favourite devil-thorn flowers. Other desert specials seen were ostriches, African hawk eagle, Rüppell’s korhaan, Namaqua sandgrouse, head-stander beetles (toktokkie) and scorpions.

Community, Culture and Conservation 

We celebrated Wilderness Heritage Day at the end of August in camp and our staff represented their cultures with great enthusiasm, and looked amazing in their spectacular traditional attire.

 
Camp news 

We particularly enjoyed hosting our Boma dinners, and did a special set-up for a honeymoon couple.

The staff village is currently undergoing a revamp.

Staff news 

We were pleased to welcome new chef, Johannes Shiklepo, as well as a new guide, Ronaldo Awarab.

 
The Training team came into camp from head office in Windhoek to run refresher training for Kitchen, Front of House and Housekeeping staff.

Guest comments

“The rooms are beautiful, clean and well maintained! We loved the warm and comfortable beds with hot water bottles to keep us warm on the cold desert nights”.

“Everything! But I really appreciate your conservation efforts. No plastic bottles. Great food – especially the vegetarian choices”.

“The friendliness of the staff made us feel so welcome. We have been all over the world, but the hospitality in Africa is the best. Your lodge staff should be commended, food was excellent”. 

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 

Weather  

This is the start of summer and it is already hot here in the Namib Sand Sea, with temperatures heading up to 38° Celsius.

Wildlife and Birds  

The usual desert-adapted antelope like oryx and springbok were spotted around the Kulala Wilderness Reserve, and interestingly, we have noticed an increase in the number of ostriches. 

Community, Culture and Conservation 

To celebrate our Wilderness Heritage Day, we offered guests traditional cuisine which they enjoyed very much. The staff looked amazing in their traditional attire. 

Guest comments

“The place is lovely – service outstanding, Marcus was considerate and knowledgeable”. 

Staff in camp

 
James Muzamai – Little Kulala Manager
Wilson Paulus – Food & Beverage Manager
Peneyambeko Paulus – Assistant Manager
Treandy Muyunda – Assistant Manager