Namibia Wildlife Resorts Update on new Developments

ETOSHA NATIONAL PARK
Okaukuejo
Okaukuejo is being re-developed to considerably improve the product and experience. Traffic flow within the resort will be re-designed to minimize disturbance to guests. In this respect, a separate gate will allow entrance to the camping area and for service delivery. Disturbance at the waterhole area will be reduced by providing parking removed from the units, and through the use of strategically placed Owambo-style fencing. Four of the waterhole units will be converted to premier double story units with a balcony overlooking the waterhole. The other waterhole units will be redeveloped to provide two separate en suite rooms. No braai facilities will be available at the waterhole units. This is because braais are usually noisy and we want to keep the environment at the waterhole as quiet as possible to maximize the quality of game viewing.
The current chalets will be converted to more comfortable two-bed units (with concrete beds removed), and will have a tea-station, bar fridge and basin, but no cooking facilities. Vehicle access to these chalets will be from behind, in order to provide a more pleasing and relaxing braai
area to the front. All other accom-modation units, as well as the other tourist facilities will be refurbished, renovated and upgraded. The camping area will be re-landscaped, and ablution facilities upgraded.
Landscaping will promote the return of the natural vegetation in the place of extensive, water hungry lawns, enhanced with rockeries and indigenous plants. Walkways will be developed to improve pedestrian traffic within the camp.

Halali
Re-development at Halali focuses on bringing harmony between the inside and nature outside.
Units will therefore have sliding doors to the outside, to allow visitors to experience and benefit from the natural surroundings. All chalets will have braai areas, but no cooking facilities will be offered INSIDE. However, tea stations, small fridges and a basin will be provided.
Landscaping will focus on allowing the natural vegetation to return, and the strategic use of rockeries and indigenous species to enhance privacy. The restaurant will be enlarged, with a more harmonious transition from inside to outside. The pool area will be re-developed and landscaped. Ablution facilities and camping areas will be improved.

Namutoni
Namutoni is being re-developed to bring the primary focus on the Fort itself, which is a National Monu-ment. No accommodation will be offered in the Fort, which will become the centre of activity, offering two restaurants, an AFRICAN RESTAURANT and a conventional one. A relaxation lounge, a bar, crafts boutique, curio shop, jewelers and bookstore. The Fort area will be for pedestrian access only. An elevated decked walkway along the water-hole facing wall will provide opportunities for enjoying the surrounding scenery, wildlife and the spectacular sunsets.
The existing accommodation will be upgraded, and privacy for each unit will be enhanced through the use of strategically placed latte fences, and private garden areas. The existing chalets will be converted to two-bed units with spacious en suite facilities. Cooking facilities are being removed
from all rooms, but a tea-station will be provided. The current restaurant/shop complex will be converted to bigger premier accommodation units.
Landscaping will entail allowing the natural vegetation to return, and enhancing this with indigenous flora. Vehicle traffic will be redirected away from accommodation in order to provide a more nature-based and relaxing experience. Vehicle access will be confined to a separate parking
area. A network of walkways ele-vated from the ground with Balau decking will be developed for a more harmonious pedestrian flow. The pool area will be surrounded by wooden decking, with a pool bar.
The current reception will become a museum/information centre focus-sing on the history, not only of Namutoni, but also Etosha as a whole. The filling station will remain at its current location.
Ablutions in the camping area will be renovated. More exclusive camping sites will be developed in the near future.

WATERBERG PLATEAU PARK
Waterberg Camp
Redevelopment of the Waterberg camp will focus primarily on improving the interior décor, and removing all concrete-type beds. Focus is on comfort and nature. The three bed units will be converted to more comfortable two-bed units, with focus on access and views to the outside. The larger units will retain braai facilities, with tea-station, fridge and basin. Tea-stations will be provided in all units. Better lighting will be provided along walkways and roads, and golf-carts used to facilitate movement between accommodation and the swimming pool/restaurant area.

GUIDED DAY AND NIGHT DRIVES
As from the 01 February 2007 NWR will be providing guided drives from all three of the Etosha camps. This will include NWR exclusive night drives. Experienced guides have been recruited to provide this service. It will be imperative to book early to avoid disappointment as seats for these services are very limited. Lastly, NWR has realized that there is a need to fall in line with the industry trend and will in future be taking credit card payments at check-in-point.

NAMIB NAUKLUFT PARK
Sossus Dune Lodge (Sossusvlei)
This eco-friendly Lodge with an Afro-village design in thatch, canvas and wood is being constructed behind the first mountain ridge inside the park, overlooking the fascinating Sesriem Canyon. It will have 25 stand-alone accommodation units built on wooden decks, and connected with elevated wooden walkways to the main unit, which will include a restaurant, bar area, relaxation areas, swimming pool and reception.
Accommodation units will be en-suite, with private decks overlooking the spectacular and pristine desert panorama.
The entire facility is on elevated wooden decks to ensure minimal disturbance to the fragile desert ecosystem.
Guided drives and walks will be on offer, not only to the ever-popular Sossusvlei, but also to discover the Sesriem Canyon and other areas of the Namib-Naukluft Park. NWR hopes to announce its opening which will be anticipated in mid 2007. This is the first lodge ever built inside the Namib-Naukluft Park. It is also the first new lodge ever built by NWR in an Independent Namibia.

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