Waterberg Wilderness, Namibia

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Forward roll against attack with quills - December 2006
The palm trees around Waterberg Wilderness Lodge can heave a sigh of relief. Early this month some of their worst adversaries were banished: porcupines. Until then they had dug up the young trees one by one and gnawed their inner parts. In the beginning of December we put paid to the havoc – with a box trap containing a juicy potato as bait. We caught five porcupines in as many days and released them on the other side of our park.

When we bought the farm in 1999 porcupines had been eradicated. It was only in June 2000 that we were given two of them by a neighbour – in exchange for a Sunday roast.

These nocturnal animals can cause considerable damage and may even become dangerous – when all of a sudden they switch into reverse to drive their quills into their pursuer. One year ago our dog Arthur almost bled to death after such an attack. Since then he has developed great respect for porcupines. The same goes for Joachim: when the fifth porcupine was caught he stumbled over another big one in the dark. As it reversed towards him he saved himself with a forward roll over the prickly creatures – and sprained his ankle in the process.

Porcupines play an important ecological role. Some plants are only found in porcupine habitats. At Waterberg Wilderness they also devoured the syringa which hails from Asia and had spread quite aggressively in our gorge.

After its release the porcupine quickly disappears into the bush. The photographer keeps a respectful distance. Photo: Sven-Eric Kanzler

Waterberg Wilderness hosts Ju/Hoansi Bushmen - October 2006
To look at Namibia with the eyes of a tourist – this was the reason why Ju/Hoansi San (Bushmen) from Grashoek went on safari in their own country and also visited Waterberg Wilderness. The Ju/Hoansi community runs the ‘Historic Living Village’, some 200 km northeast of Grootfontein, which introduces tourists to the San culture.

Delighted Ju/Hoansi San admire our gushing spring.
Photo: Bwana Tucke Tucke

About 20 adults with children pitched their tents on our camping site in September. We took them to our plateau mountain and showed them around the lodge. They were particularly impressed by the little pond overgrown with bamboo and by the gushing spring. In return they presented their project and performed dances and songs. They also offered their arts and crafts, including beautiful ostrich shell necklaces. Our son Martin was totally taken with a bow and matching arrow of love which has to be aimed at the beloved’s backside. Martin’s brother Achim, on the other hand, spent the entire day trying to light a fire with the Sans’ twirl sticks. The fire stubbornly refused to be lit, but his hands were blazing red in the evening – and so badly swollen that he could barely hold his fork...

For more about the Historic Living Village of the Ju/Hoansi contact tour operator Bwana Tucke Tucke

Investment in tranquillity and convenience - September 2006
Guests of Waterberg Wilderness Lodge can now enjoy even more convenience. The reason: a new solar power plant supplies the lodge with electricity (220 volt) around the clock. This enables guests to recharge camera batteries in their rooms or blow-dry their hair whenever it suits them. Previously this could only be done at the reception - when the diesel generator was running. Now the generator is operated at peak times only and the peace and quiet at the lodge is even more tangible during the day. The new plant cost N$ 150,000 (about 17,000 Euro). It consists of 12 solar panels of 80 watt each, 24 glass batteries with a total capacity of 48 volt and a 4 KVA transformer. This is enough for two washing machines, a rotary iron and a large deep-freeze. The cold stores are next in line for having solar units installed. The long-term goal is to use the generator only as a backup. Far away from the power lines in the vastness of Namibia, tiny villages, farms and lodges have to rely on diesel power.

Final Homecoming of a Herero Chief - August 2006
He set out on a journey to foreign parts to bring his grandfather’s mortal remains back to the ancestral land – now he himself had to be brought home in a coffin. This is the sad background to the funeral which was held at the burial ground of the Herero Royal House of Kambazembi at the Waterberg in the end of July. Herero Chief David Tuvahi Kambazembi died of a heart attack on 14 July at the age of 73. He had been on his way to Lephalale in South Africa where he wanted to arrange for his grandfather David Kaunjonjua Kambazembi’s mortal remains to be taken back to his home country. In August 1904, after the Herero people had suffered the decisive defeat at the hands of the German colonial forces,

David Kambazembi fled to South Africa with his family via Botswana - and died in exile. David Tuvahi settled down in Botswana. When Namibia gained independence in 1990, he - and another 2.000 Herero - returned from exile. He later took up residence in Okakarara. The tomb of the Royal House of Kambazembi is situated on private farm grounds at the foot of Waterberg and is not open to the public. Our guests, however, can join a guided tour into Hereroland for a thorough introduction to the history, traditions and culture of the Herero people.

The tomb of the Royal House of Kambazembi is not open to the public.
Photo: Senta Frank

Cambodians delighted with Bamboo - July 2006
Waterberg Wilderness has assisted with development aid for Cambodia. Following a request by Namibia’s Ministry for the Environment and Tourism we hosted four delegates from the Far Eastern country in mid-July. They represented the Ministry for Forestry, the Ministry for Agriculture, the local World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and a village community which wants to share in the tourism business. While coffee and sandwiches were enjoyed in the pavilion, Joachim and Caroline Rust explained how they built the lodge and set up the nature reserve, how they cooperate with Waterberg Plateau Park and how they support their staff. The guests from Cambodia then took a closer look at the rooms, the restaurant, kitchen, garden and swimming pool, as well as the electricity generation equipment. They were also shown the chalets of Waterberg Plateau Lodge and the facilities of the camping site. All four of them were delighted with the huge bamboo at the pavilion – a piece from their own country in the middle of Africa...

Not only guests from Cambodia are delighted with the ancient bamboo behind the pavilion. Photo: Stefan Komma

Campaign against Polio - June 2006
The first phase of Namibia’s countrywide polio inoculation campaign ended in mid-June; the second phase starts in late July. With these steps the public health authority is responding to the unexpected outbreak of polio at the end of May. It is thought that 150 people have been infected so far; 17 have died. According to UNICEF this is the first outbreak of polio in Namibia since 1996. Nigeria is seen as the focus of the disease. Holidaymakers in Namibia have no reason to panic. The National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) recommends that tourists get a booster shot about two weeks before their departure. During their stay they should make sure that they drink clean water and wash their hands thoroughly after using the toilet. The virus is mainly spread through faeces. We and our staff have been vaccinated in Otjiwarongo and Okakarara. We routinely maintain high standards of hygiene.

For more about polio see www.unicef.org

Rain works its magic on aquatic plants - May 2006
A rare aquatic plant has been found at Waterberg Wilderness. The discovery of the aquatic plant Aponogeton rehmannii was excitedly reported by freshwater plant expert Gerd Eggers during his visit in early May. The plant is extremely rare in Namibia. It survives dry periods with its bulb in the ground. Leaves, flowers and fruit appear almost immediately after the first rainfalls. Much to his surprise, Eggers also spotted the yellow flowering Aponogeton desertorum at Waterberg Wilderness in February 2004. Since then he is a regular visitor at the end of the rainy season (April, May). By the way, not only aquatic came out in full bloom after the exceptional rainfalls this year: the whole of Waterberg Wilderness was a green paradise for months. Rainfalls between October and May totalled 1,060 mm; the annual average is about 480 mm.

Aponogeton rehmannii in bloom in one of the many puddles at Waterberg Wilderness. Foto © Gerd Eggers

Leisure time spent with Friends - April 2006
Our staffers have moved from Waterberg Wilderness to nearby Okakarara where we bought two plots for them. We renovated the existing two stone houses and put up six prefab houses with shared kitchens and lounges. Now there is ample room for all twelve of our staffers and their families. They are particularly thrilled about the electricity in each house. “I will get a TV for myself”, our chef, Refinia Nomases, announced happily. By providing accommodation in the village we are fulfilling our staffers’ wish to spend more of their leisure time with their families and friends. Since Okakarara is just 28 km away from the lodge, commuting to work is no problem.

Visiting the OvaHerero - March 2006
What is everyday life in a Herero family like? How do young and old view the role of culture and tradition? These and many other questions are answered on the newly-introduced 'Hereroland Culture Tour', a half-day excursion into the nearby communal area of the Herero. The tour, led by a local Herero, includes a visit to a little hamlet, the village of Okakarara, a marketplace, a school and the 'Okakarara Community Cultural Centre', which was built with EU funds. The excursion wraps up with songs and dances performed by women from the community, while guests enjoy coffee and cakes.

Old road in use again - February 2006
Exceptionally good rains turned the D 2512 gravel road to Waterberg Wilderness into a bog at times - which even 4x4s couldn’t manage. Therefore we unceremoniously reopened the connecting 28 km stretch to the D 3827 to Okakarara. This sand road is partly single-track, but it remains fit for traffic during rain, too. Just follow the signposts from Okakarara. For a description of the route see Map/ Route.

Game-proof Fencing put up - January 2006
The completion of our game park is progressing nicely. Last year we put up 18 km of game-proof fencing. The cost per kilometre is about 15,000 Namibia Dollar (or about 2,000 Euro). The fence is 2.20 m high and protects the game against poaching. We have also dismantled all the interior (enclosure) fences on our former cattle farm. This is particularly appreciated by our giraffes which can now roam the park’s Kalahari Savannah landscape unhampered.

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