NAMIBIA: Wilderness Safaris To Rebuild Serra Cafema Camp

Wilderness Safaris’ will be rebuilding their Serra Cafema camp, in the North-West of Namibia, in Hartmann’s Valley, overlooking Kunene River.

“We are thrilled to be rebuilding this iconic camp in the first half of 2018, where we’ll be maintaining the same footprint on its current island location nestled amongst shady albida trees,” said Mike Wassung, Wilderness Safaris’ Namibia MD.

The camp will be closed from January 15 to June 15 2018, with a proposed opening date of June 16, 2018.

The new Serra Cafema camp will be completely solar powered and shall be built with a light eco-footprint ensuring minimal impact on the desert location.

The camp will comprise of eight riverside villas, all elevated on decks.

Wassung said: “Inspiration for the new camp will be drawn from the exceptional desert location and the local Himba culture; we look forward to sharing further information and details about our architectural and decor plans in the coming months.”

Activities include meeting member of the nomadic Himba people, exploring the Namib Desert on nature drives or quad-bike excursions, boating on the Kunene River and birdwatching.

Meanwhile, Wild Horizons’ white-water rafting closed on April 3, as well as Livingstone Island, which closed on April 14, due to the rise in water levels of the Zambezi River.

“Rafting usually resumes between May and June. This depends on how much water is still coming down from the flood plains,” says Wilma Griffith, Sales and Marketing, Wild Horizons.

The reopening of Livingstone Island will depend on the level of the water. There will be no bookings made during this period. Bookings already made will be cancelled.

Victoria Falls Will Not Dry Up!

SPECULATION in local and social media that Victoria Falls may be drying up is entirely false, says African Travel and Tourism Association chairman Ross Kennedy.

Victoria Falls will never become “Victoria Walls”, as locals self-deprecatingly joke, Mr Kennedy said. Perhaps October madness may be getting the better of some of those suggesting otherwise, he added.

Mr Kennedy said that according to local river experts the facts are:

There will always be water in Victoria Falls on the Zimbabwean side between the Livingstone statue and Livingstone Island.

- Traditionally, Victoria Falls is at its driest at this time of year, and often before the rainy season begins, the Zambian side does come close to drying up, with just a small amount of water flowing over in some places. This is simply because the Falls are slightly lower on the Zimbabwean side.

- However, due to exceptionally low rainfall in the catchment area during the last rainy season, the water level is at its lowest since 1996.

- The water levels will continue to drop as usual until the rains start in the catchment area north of Victoria Falls.

So rest assured, Victoria Falls deservedly remains one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, and nothing can change that.