The fastest animal in the world, the cheetah is a severely threatened species and climate change adds to its plight. Since its establishment in Namibia over thirty years ago, the Cheetah Conservation Fund (CCF) near Otjiwarongo has played an important rol
Flowing dry rivers and washed-out roads - that's what tour guides are reporting from north-west Namibia. Especially north-west of Opuwo it has rained heavily. According to a post by the Namibia from the Roadside Group on Facebook, a bridge on the C 43 gra
In southern Namibia there are several protected areas established by private initiatives like Gondwana Collection Namibia and the Namib Rand Nature Reserve. They have tourism lodges and camping – or rather glamping - facilities in spectacular landscapes
With technology evolving at a rapid pace, the protection of wildlife through tracking is also becoming more sophisticated.
In the recreation area around the reservoir on the eastern edge of Windhoek, walkers have been confronted with a curious sight for the past two weeks. On the floodplain-like lowland on the south-eastern shore of the lake, photographers stand next to each
Its wood is not only yellowish, but also hard and termite-resistant. This is why it is often used as a building material and for making fence posts and furniture. Namibia officially unveiled the Silver Cluster-Leaf (Terminalia sericea) as the Tree of the
Drought conditions also affect wildlife. In southern Namibia with its spectacular wide-open spaces another impact can be strong sand storms, blowing sand layers over grass. This prevents livestock and wild animals from grazing.
The non-governmental organisation “Elephant Human Relations Aid (EHRA)” has recently fitted another desert-adapted elephant with a collar carrying a satellite tracking device to monitor its movements.
Environmentalists in many countries celebrate World Rhino Day on 22 September to raise awareness for these animals, which are critically endangered due to poaching and illegal trade with their horns.
September 16 is the annual World Cleanup Day. The aim is to mobilise everybody worldwide, governments and the private sector alike to clean up their surroundings or a specific area.
Giraffe experts are baffled: In Namibia, a young giraffe was born without a spot pattern - only a few weeks after the same thing happened in a zoo in the USA. However, the two cases involve different giraffe species.
Instead of stones and gravel, suddenly blossom after blossom as far as the eye can see. This miracle of nature can currently be experienced in the southwest of Namibia.
On 21 August, the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism (MEFT) explained it has in the past three months intensified its patrols at the Okaukuejo rest camp and surroundings as more wire snares were noticed.
Its natural protection is also its greatest mortal danger: the armour of the pangolin, which consists of scaly horn plates. This is because the scales are considered a remedy in Asia, similar to the horn of the rhinoceros. Although scientists have not fou
The most plant species in the smallest space can be found where it rains a lot. Like in the Amazon rainforest. The plant genus Petalidium, however, seems to turn this rule of thumb on its head. Because 37 of its 39 species, which are known worldwide so fa
The University of Namibia (UNAM) is one of the few institutions in the world that trains its veterinary students in the treatment of game. This was explained by the experienced veterinarian and lecturer of the School of Veterinary Medicine at UNAM, Dr Mar
Namibia's weather is pressing all the buttons this winter. After exceptionally heavy winter rain at the end of June and a severe sandstorm lasting several days in mid-July, the country was hit by a cold front last weekend.
In the scientific debate about the cause of the mysterious bald circles in grasslands on the eastern edge of the Namib Desert, the termite theory remains the only sound explanation. This is the result of the article "Sand termite herbivory causes Namibia'
Wild animals, birds, reptiles and lately even plants in many countries need more and more protection and Namibia is no exception. Rhinos, elephants and pangolins are the main targets of international syndicates.
N7 trunk road closed, Vioolsdrif/Noordoewer border post closed: Rain floods cause blockage of main Namibia-South Africa highway.
In southwestern Namibia, a cold front is currently causing an unusually high amount of rain. "From Monday until now, we have already measured more than 50 mm," reports Piet Swiegers from Desert Horse Inn near Aus yesterday noon. "In the adjacent Tsau ǁKh
Namibia is to help 'film' a black hole for the first time. Heino Falcke, professor of astroparticle physics and radio astronomy at Radboud University in Nijmegen, said this at the Namibia Scientific Society in Windhoek earlie
The month of June is particularly important for the environment of our planet when the international Day of the Environment is celebrated on 05 June, followed by the World Ocean Day three days later later on 8 June and rounded off with the Desertification
It is considered extinct in seven countries in Africa. It no longer exists in almost 90 per cent of its 1700s range. Only just under 30 per cent of the areas where it occurs today are protected in the form of national parks. Their total number is estimate
In South Africa and Namibia, rhinos often have their horns removed so that poachers do not find it worthwhile to hunt them. But many conservationists and researchers criticise the measure as harmful to the animals concerned. A study published this week pr
The new drinking trough at the Garub 1 borehole has been completed and the Garub 2 borehole has been cleaned. This means that the water supply for the Wild Horses of the Namib close to the historic railway station Garub near Aus in southwestern Namibia is
The cheetah reintroduction programme in India has suffered another major setback. Three of the four babies born in March died last week. The fourth is apparently well. The mother had arrived in Kuno National Park in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh last
Namibia's forests do not correspond to the usual ideas or definitions. However, if one uses the classification of the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), an estimated 66,000 square kilometres fall into the category of forest are
Namibia offers a huge variety of attractions and tailor made tours are available for geology fans, stargazers, hobby botanists, bird lovers and snake and lizard enthusiasts.
The cheetah reintroduction programme in India is facing setbacks. A female died from fatal injuries sustained during mating. This means that three of the 20 cheetahs from South Africa and Namibia that had been brought to India's Kuno National Park have no
Tourists coming to Namibia enjoy the cultural exchange with different population groups to discover more about their traditions, lifestyle and their centuries’ old knowledge about wildlife and the use of plants.
Welwitschia, Quiver tree, Hoodia. Lithops, Baobab. Not to forget the camel thorn tree. Despite its rather dry climate, Namibia has an amazingly diverse and fascinating flora. A good overview and introduction is provided by the new website of the Botanical
The newly published book "Fairy Circles of the Namib Desert" does not provide a sensational new discovery about the bare circles on the eastern edge of the Namib Desert. The riddle of the fairy circles has long been solved, their mystery "disenchanted" ye
In Namibia locals and visitors alike enjoy sharing their photos of animals, birds and interesting plants, which they encounter on their trips, on social media.
The country has the highest wandering sand dunes in the world, like at the tourism hotspot Sossusvlei, but did you know that they are now also regarded among the fastest moving dunes and this since a million years.
Those who want to drive from the Noordoewer border crossing to Rosh Pinah in southern Namibia will have to take a long detour. The DR 212 road along the Gariep (Orange) River is now closed until further notice, Namibia's Roads Authority (RA) announced.
In October 2022, he had still spread it on thick in his media release: The mystery of the fairy circles in the Namib had finally been solved. It was not termites that produced the bald circles, he claimed, but the grasses themselves. This was confirmed by
Two local families and their friends from Austria had a rare and fascinating encounter on a camping tour in Namibia recently. The shy creature full of scales almost looks like a small dinosaur. "Our tour guide told us it is a scaly ant eater, also call
Among several local words tourists quickly pick up when they visit Namibia is ‘oshana’. It is the Oshiwambo word for low-lying areas or depressions in the white sands among omulunga palm trees so characteristic for the north-central regions. During a
It looks like a phantom and there is a whole forest of them in the Etosha National Park; when their seeds ripen and the pods burst open, it makes quite a loud pop: but the Moringa tree can do even more, for its medicinal benefits are immense. It is not fo
A new study by researcher Getzin claims to have solved the mystery of the fairy circles in the Namib. But the "solution" is well-known and questionable.
Namibia, with its clear skies, is a popular spot for stargazers, amateur astronomers and scientists. The country hosts the largest array of telescopes, to explore cosmic gamma rays, worldwide since 2002. The scientific fraternity celebrated the array’s
The fight against poaching also suffers repeated setbacks in Namibia. Only a week ago, Environment Minister Pohamba Shifeta announced the current number of discovered poached rhinos: 55. That is already eleven more than in the entire year 2021. Four days
The remote Skeleton Coast in northwestern Namibia, where mountains and sand dunes meet, and the rough seas. of the Atlantic Ocean swirls around the rusty frames of many shipwrecks. However, the Skeleton Coast offers other unusual experiences as well – l
Cheetahs are back in India. Seven decades after this cat species was declared extinct there. Two days ago, eight cheetahs from Namibia arrived in Kuno National Park in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. According to reports, the three males and five fema
Climate change is real and is not only noticeable in Africa. Europe has also experienced it in recent months, with very low rainfalls, rivers drying up and an increase in forest fires.
A fierce cold front has hit the south and centre of Namibia and temperatures have dropped below freezing point in some areas. A low pressure area has caused freezing rain or hail in some areas. On the farm Orion on the D 804 about 90 km southeast of Malt
Namibia's forests are under threat. This was one of the key messages at a conference in Windhoek. Under the motto "The Future of Namibia's Forests", representatives of the Namibian government and experts from home and abroad discussed the problems and sol
70 years after it was declared extinct there, the cheetah returns to India. Namibia will provide the first cheetahs for the reintroduction. This is provided for in an agreement between India and Namibia, which was signed yesterday in India by government r
The Gondwana Kalahari Park is recovering well from the last drought. According to the latest game census, the total number of game animals in the private nature reserve has increased by almost 50% within one year.
Wildlife crime is a global problem, with criminal networks reaching across international borders and continents. Namibia has made remarkable progress in combating wildlife crime. The number of animals poached has decreased, and the number of successful ar
The Namibian coast, where the hostile Namib Desert meets the roaring Atlantic Ocean, is fascinating in its own way. Shipwrecks and lonely dilapidated buildings bear witness to failed dreams; at the same time, the coast is a paradise for nature lovers, pas
One of the best known and most beautiful antelope species in Namibia is the kudu with the characteristic screwed antlers worn by the majestic bulls. The dainty female animals do not have antlers and this is why the large ears are particularly noticeable.
Namibian President Hage Geingob attended the first ever "One Ocean" summit, in Brest, France in early February. Climate change, pollution, overfishing as well as plastic waste endanger the oceans.
In Namibia, the large, cone-shaped sand towers in the landscape are among the most popular objects for tourists to take souvenir photos with. Tiny creatures - small, beige-white termites that are only two centimetres long – with the exception of the que
The tallest land animal in the world is the giraffe and the home range of this majestic species is the African continent. One cannot imagine that the long-necked giraffes moving gracefully across the plains of northwestern Namibia, browsing leaves from tr
As guests explore the Canyon Village, a lodge situated in Gondwana Canyon Park in southern Namibia, they will come across clusters of curiously beautiful quiver trees along the way, thanks to a project launched by the Gondwana Collection that aims to pres
There are some bucket-list experiences in life - and if you are a hiker yet enjoy some creature comforts along the way - Gondwana’s Fish River Canyon trails may just top your list.
A splash of water suddenly rises, followed by loud snorting. As if out of nowhere, a large grey body rises out of the waves, turns in the air and hits the water surface.
The Desert Grace has reached the final round of the 2021 Sustainable Development Awards in the category ‘Private Sector Champions for Sustainable Development '. The award recognises sustainable approaches to management of energy, water and waste, and pa
At every moment in this incredible adventure of life we have a choice. We are never stuck. In the upheaval of Covid-19 we have the choice to tune in to the fear and negativity that abounds on the planet at this time or to tune in to the immense natural be
Canyon Roadhouse must be one of the very best reminders of the importance of humour and being light-hearted.
Sold along the roadside during the first few months of the year, the gigantic mushrooms provide an income for many in areas where there is little opportunity for work.
A prominent feature in the Fish River Canyon surrounds, the Spiegelberg pinnacle dominates the landscape. Towering above the peaks and plateaus that surround the Fish River valley between the Konkiep and Fish rivers, it is no wonder that it has fascinated
Nestling at the base of a rocky mountain, Canyon Village brings to life the local Nama culture through the paintings on the walls, the donkey cart that takes guests’ luggage to their rooms and of course the staff.
The Namib Desert, with its endless expanses and majestic sand dunes, is the oldest desert in the world. Although the extreme climate with intense heat during the day and cold nights as well as strong winds near the coast, suggests that very few living thi
Namibia has a large variety of activities to offer tourists and a special adventure is definitely a visit to the various underground caves. It is hardly known that the largest underground lake in the world is situated in Namibia.
When I was growing up on a farm east of Windhoek in the late 60s, collecting post felt like collecting treasure because of the attractive stamps that were attached to the envelopes.
Who cannot be awed by the king of trees, the mighty baobab? The hollow centres of some of these majestic trees have been used for various purposes in the past.
In the water and on trees, pink-backed pelicans can be seen in company of egrets and Yellow-billed Storks. In Namibia Pink-backed Pelicans occur in the Zambezi region.
Sunsets along the Namibian coast are quite spectacular, especially on sunny days, and are a lovely way to wrap up a relaxing afternoon at the beach.
Thousands of colourful Carmine Bee-eaters commenced their annual breeding season between Zambezi Mubala Lodge and the Zambezi Mubala Camp on the bank of the Zambezi
The Zambians were not only charged for illegally entering the country but also for violating the lockdown rules of the country, illegal fishing and illegal fishing with mosquito nets.
If one were to build a solid concrete wall one meter high and one metre wide from Cape Town past Keetmanshoop in the south of Namibia, one would need the same amount of concrete that was used to build the recently-inaugurated Neckartal dam west of Keetman
Garth Owen-Smith passed away this morning, 11th April 2020 at the age of 76. He is seen as the Father of Integrated Conservation in Namibia.
Four young visitors to the country, now identified as French and Canadian citizens, spray-painted graffiti on the walls of the old Garub railway station, afterwards posting the photographs on their social media site.
It took Farmer Volker Dickhoff by surprise, when together with one of his employees; he was able to catch a European Roller on his farm near Otjiwarongo on February 28th of this year (2020).
The black weevil with the 2 mm spots in bright red or orange climbs up the stem of a Sandhof lily (Crinum paludosum) without haste and starts to feed on the pedicel.
Climate change adaptation and mitigation is very costly and requires mobilisation of funds and a good oversight during implementation.
After rainfall, when the land is wet, they start digging. The soil is loosened with the teeth and pushed backwards with the front legs.
For only the fifth time ever, the sluices of the Von Bach Dam near Okahandja had been opened at 21.00 hours on Sunday 1st March 2020 to release water after the water level reach the 100 percent full capacity mark.
At the first glance they look scary. Because they represent two animal species that many people are unnecessarily afraid of and loathe: spiders and scorpions.
It is unusual to see a white springbok in the wild. It is even more unusual to see an adult leucistic animal because they cannot blend into the environment as the normal coloured ones.
It is an exceptional experience to see Namibia's largest owl – the Fishing Owl, also known as Pel's Fishing Owl.
The clear night sky over Namibia is always fascinating for tourists and locals. One can also see some shooting stars.
Like the rest of Namibia, Etosha National Park starts to blossom again when the long-awaited rains finally arrive after several years of drought.
A single head-sized rock is like a colourful miniature garden. Measuring just a few millimetres, the fragile orange-red fingers of the Namib Sun (Caloplaca elegantissima) seem to cling to the stone.
After the first good rains from December to February they suddenly appear – in their hundreds. They are seen especially in places where strong sources of light remain switched on all night.
A new project has recently been launched in the Erongo Region. Valuable organic oil is obtained from the nuts of the evergreen jojoba plant
‘There’s something about the outside of a horse that is good for the inside of a man.’ (Winston Churchill)
Less than a meter from the bottom of dried-up Avis Dam on the outskirts of Windhoek, chirping little red and black balls of fluff seem to hover above the fresh greenery.
25 years ago Namibia’s Black Rhino Custodianship programme was launched with the intention to increase the number of black rhinos by ensuring better protection against diseases, natural disasters and poachers.
The only green seen in Etosha National Park in northern Namibia is that of the mopane trees at present (end of November 2019). Not a single blade of grass is left, not even a dry one.
Prosopis was introduced to Namibia more than a century ago. According to local tree expert Luise Hoffmann Prosopis chilensis was imported to then South West Africa in 1912 by the German botanist Kurt Dinter.
The Bateleur Eagle is one of the most colourful raptors in Namibia. Unfortunately, its numbers have dropped sharply.
Animals are unable to judge the speed of an approaching vehicle and often take flight too late – with fatal consequences. And they do not know traffic rules.
Namibia has experienced an increase in natural disasters in recent years with northern areas having to cope with floodwaters in 2008-09; and the drought since 2016 is proof of the opposite extreme.
No water for the animals, a lack of fuel for pumps and vehicles, a lack of finances, a lack of staff and difficult terrain – these are the challenges that nature conservation officials have to cope with in Khaudum National Park.
Legal and illegal networks are threatening the fish stocks in Namibia’s rivers and reservoirs. There are regulatory laws, but control is lacking.
Wattled Cranes are not often seen and they are not easy to spot. They are found on the vast flood plains of the Okavango and Chobe, on the countless islands in the Kwando River and on the wetlands of the Linyanti.
Seeing a leopard in the wilds tops the list of most people heading into the wilderness. It is a secretive, solitary and mainly nocturnal cat – factors which make it extremely difficult to see.
He is nimble, clever, cheeky. A feisty little guy who nevertheless tries to keep safe as far as possible.
At the end of August, after returning from the CITES conference in Geneva, Namibia's Minister of the Environment and Tourism, Pohamba Shifeta, visited a waterhole in the dried up Chobe River
Worker termites industriously carry dry plant material to a small hole in the ground. Others climb onto the few blades of grass and cut them into pieces of two to three centimetres long, ready to be taken into the subterranean nest of the colony.
Travelling via the Skeleton Coast from Swakopmund to Palmwag and Epupa Falls elicits a thrill of excitement. It ticks all the boxes for the adventurous at heart and adds a couple more . . .
A passionate rendezvous unfolds in the north of Namibia where the Chobe River and the Zambezi River come face to face.
The Namibian coast is known for its abundance of fish and this is due to a cold ocean current running from south to north near the mainland.
Namibia's clear night skies away from the larger cities are internationally known among hobby astronomers and certain guest farms often have a telescope ready for them.
Surf fish must be handled with the utmost care, Van Niekerk emphasizes, and not only so that they survive in captivity. Sport and recreational anglers also need to treat the fish gently.
The Swakopmund snake park currently houses some 60 snakes as well as chameleons, geckos, agamas and scorpions.
The bird lover and hobby photographer Pompie Burger launched his latest book tonight (20 June) in Windhoek.
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