Namibia Wildlife Resorts is undertaking a number of projects to improve the range and quality of facilities on offer to guests. This includes the development of an entirely new accommodation facility in the Sossusvlei area, the only lodge inside the park – the Sossus Dune Lodge, and redevelopment of existing facilities in the Etosha National Park and Waterberg Plateau Park.
Additionally, NWR will as from 01 February 2007 begin to offer guided drives from all three Etosha camps, including limited night drives exclusively offered by NWR.
Due to the importance that the market plays in the success of our business, we feel it is imperative to keep you informed on the refur-bishment and changes that NWR will be going through at each camp to allow you to adjust your marketing information accordingly. NWR requests the market and public to exercise caution, especially with the circulation of misleading information to the market or public. We there-fore request that, should you have any question, you please contact us to update you on the progress.
The changes that are being done are commissioned by the Shareholder (the Government Republic of Nami-bia) who approved the investment into the company as part of the turnaround strategy. We realize that it took decades to destroy NWR to the level that it is now and hope that the market and public appreciate that it is going to take time to rebuild this company in the dynamic changing environment of interna-tional tourism. We welcome positive criticism but also realize that we have a job to do. All this is done with the aim of making Namibia Wildlife Resorts a company that has good quality infrastructure and provides good service quality to satisfy its client. There are those who are already reasoning that NWR may become too expensive for Namibians to afford. While we appreciate their concern and will continue to be a proud Namibian company, we realize that we do not get financial subsidy from anywhere to keep our prices “relative” for the benefit of Namibians.
Nonetheless, there are measures that will be implemented to encourage Namibians to visit and experience the natural resources in our country. NWR operates in a competitive environment and is subjected to market forces. For example, only 17% (NWR reservations) of visitors to NWR are Namibians, the remai-ning 83% are foreign travelers. However, the focus is not on price, but rather on customer satisfaction and competitiveness, whilst maxi-mizing the Shareholder’s return-on-investment.
Following is a description of the developments that are being carried out by NWR.
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.
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.