 |
|
 |
|
|
 |
|
|
| |
News
2008 l News
2006 l News
2005 l News
2004 |
|
|
|
|
|
A
valley full of rare birds - December 2007 |
|
| |
Bird experts are thrilled:
a Senegal Coucal has made himself at home in the Waterberg Wilderness
valley. |
|
| |
According to reference books this cuckoo species is indigenous
to many parts of Africa but in Namibia occurs only in
the northeast. Its name appears on a list of some 150
species of birds which have been spotted at Waterberg
Wilderness. The list contains only those species that
birdwatchers are most likely to see.
It was compiled by experienced ornithologists Keith and
Lindy Offord from Britain ('Wild
Insights') after their latest visit to Namibia. They
mainly focussed on the immediate surroundings of the two
lodges and the camping site.
Our guests receive the list of birds on arrival, and if
they like they can tick off the birds they see during
their sojourn. A reference book with descriptions and
pictures of the birds is laid out in each room. There
are many others to be spotted apart from the cuckoo, even
though a good deal |
|
Senegal Coucal.
Photo: Thomas J. Haslam
Source: Wikipedia
|
|
|
| |
of luck and imperturbable
patience is required: more than 20 raptors, five types of Hornbills,
the rare Rüppell’s Parrot, the African Paradise Flycatcher
and dozens of other fascinating birds. The amazing diversity
of the bird world is due to the different habitats in our park
- the high plateau, steep rock faces, slopes covered with bush,
the valley with its spring and tall trees, the tree and shrub
savannah vegetation of the plain. We recommend that you come
at leisure and bring lots of time and a good pair of binoculars... |
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
Scenic
drive on new wheels - August 2007 |
|
| |
A cross-country drive simply cannot get more comfortable.
This is the unanimous opinion of guests after going on
a scenic drive through our park. Our new Land Rover is
custom-made for game drives and seats nine passengers.
The three rows of seats each consist of three separate
padded seats mounted onto a raised chassis to give each
passenger a good view for watching game or birds. Large
steps make it easy to get onto the vehicle.
Each seat is equipped with a backrest, armrests and a
safety belt. A sturdy roof structure protects against
too much sun (or rain). Canvas blinds attached to the
sides can be lowered and closed. And the rear of the car
still has enough space for the most important piece of
equipment: the cool box with drinks for a relaxed sundowner... |
|
The new Land Rover at the foot of Ferdinand’s Peak
at Waterberg Wilderness.
Photo: Sven-Eric Kanzler |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Paving to prevent erosion - July 2007
The access road to high-up Waterberg Plateau Lodge can
now be driven with eyes almost shut. The zigzag driveway
on the plateau’s slope has been paved up to the
rock terrace and slightly widened. There are also two
passing points for the rather unlikely event of oncoming
traffic. Making the drive to the plateau easier was not
the only reason for the improvement. The paved surface
also helps to protect the road against getting washed
out and prevent possible erosion of the steep slope. The
stretch from the reception to Plateau Lodge is close to
700 metres long and the difference in altitude is roughly
120 metres. |
|
A paved zigzag road leads to Waterberg Plateau Lodge.
Photo: Michaela Kanzler |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Face
to face with wild animals - May 2007
To go stalking in the wilds and with a little luck spot kudu,
hartebeest, gemsbok or even giraffe – this experience
can now be enjoyed in our nature reserve. Situated at the foot
of Waterberg Mountain, Waterberg Wilderness is abundantly stocked
with game. An experienced tracker-guide takes guests through
the reserve and explains flora and fauna. Participants need
to be physically fit, though. Encountering the two white rhino,
released in mid-May, should be particularly exciting. In contrast
to black rhino, which are known to be aggressive, white rhino
usually do not pose a threat to people. They mainly eat grass
and crop it close to the ground like perfect lawnmowers. The
tree savannah is their habitat - they love the shade of trees
and muddy holes for wallowing. |
|
|
|
|
| |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
Both of our
white rhino are from South Africa.
Photo: Dr Hu Berry
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
New
game species released - April 2007
Many of the game species which were indigenous to this area
more than 150 years ago can once again be seen at Waterberg
Wilderness. We took another step towards the realization of
this long-cherished dream in April when we released 30 springbuck,
30 impala, 15 hartebeest and 12 eland. Just a few days after
the stressful transport we were already able to approach the
herds without causing panic-stricken reactions. Our increasing
game population now requires sound park management to ensure
that there is sufficient grazing in dry years as well. Apart
from the newcomers we have an estimated 250 kudu and 80 Oryx
antelope. The small groups of Burchell’s zebra and giraffe
are also doing their best to produce offspring. For effectively
protecting the game we have electrified the 20 km game fence
with solar power, put up two manned gates at the through road
and hired game wardens. |
|
|
|
|
| |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
Hartebeest charge
into their new - and former - home area.
Photo: Caroline Rust |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Arrow
poison shrub discovered - March 2007
Indications are that San (Bushmen) lived in the Waterberg Wilderness
valley at some stage. Recently we discovered another clue on
the slope below Waterberg Plateau Lodge: a single specimen of
the Adenium boehmianum schinzii shrub, which Joachim spotted
because of its conspicuous bright pink flowers. |
|
| |
Usually this poisonous plant is only found in the granite
landscapes of western and north-western Namibia and in
southern Angola.
Both the OvaHimba of Kaokoland and the San obtain a dreaded
arrow poison from the shrub. A springbok dies within roughly
60 minutes after having been struck, larger antelopes
perish after about two hours. The poison contains a substance
which paralyses cardiac activity and is similar to the
one found in foxglove. Apparently there was even some
trade with it when it was processed into a type of latex.
It remains unclear whether the poisonous shrub in our
valley was planted or appeared by coincidence. |
|
The pink flowers of the arrow poison shrub stand out from
a distance. Photo: Caroline Rust |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Cattle
theft facilitated by mobile phones
- February 2007
Thanks to our police force in Okakarara and quite a bit of luck
we put a stop to the dealings of highly professional cattle
thieves in late February. One morning, on our way to Otjiwarongo,
we noticed unusual tracks of cattle and cars just a few kilometres
from our lodge. Filled with alarm we hurried to the cattle pen
where our dairy cows are kept at night. A few animals were indeed
missing and had obviously been loaded onto a vehicle. While
some of our employees followed the tracks we rushed to the police
station in Okakarara, 30 km away. The officers told us that
in many places cattle auctions were scheduled for this very
day and promptly sprang into action. They combed all the places
together with our staffer Lukas Malakia. And with success: In
Okondjatu, 165 km away, Lukas recognized one of his and two
of our cows – despite fresh branding. One of the thieves
fled from the scene but was caught by the police; another one
was arrested a little later. The tracks provided a clear picture
of the course of events: two lookouts with mobiles had been
dropped off to alert the vehicles as soon as the coast was clear.
|
|
|
|
|
| |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
Some of the
stolen cattle. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Rooms
had a makeover - January 2007
Facilities at Waterberg Wilderness have been further enhanced.
During the summer break in December/January we gave all rooms
a fresh coat of paint and also refurbished the rooms of Waterberg
Wilderness Lodge with elegant dark mahogany beds and a newly
arranged lounge area which complements the style. Beautiful
natural fabrics and the red glow of the sandstone floor combine
to create a feel-good atmosphere. At the same time we extended
Plateau Lodge from three to six chalets. The new ones will be
available soon. As before, guests will of course enjoy total
privacy as each chalet sports its own plunge pool and a private
terrace. Guests can now remain at the plateau for dinner, by
the way: it is served in a new little restaurant with an open
hearth. |
|
|
|
|
| |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
Photo: Caroline
Rust |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
