17.09.2008 – New exclusive NWR camp in Etosha National Park
Onkoshi Camp, the first new lodge in the world renowned Etosha National Park
to be built in independent Namibia, is due to become a reality this year. With the
backdrop of the dramatic Etosha Pan, currently filled to the brim with water, and surrounded by pristine Kalahari woodlands, the newly appointed Minister of Environment and Tourism, Honourable Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah officiated at the groundbreaking ceremony on 16 April 2008. In her keynote address, the Hon. Minister highlighted that, as the fastest growing industry in Namibia, tourism is set to play a pivotal role in achieving the National goals of sustainable development and poverty alleviation, as set out in Vision 2030. She highlighted the need to ensure that Namibia retains its reputation as a boutique tourism destination, offering facilities and experiences of the highest standards. The Hon. Minister was therefore extremely pleased that Namibia Wildlife Resorts has embraced this philosophy wholeheartedly, and is moving towards eco-friendly lodges offering exclusive experiences in the protected areas of Namibia.
The first such development was the Sossus Dune Lodge in the Namib-Naukluft Park, launched in July last year. Such facilities will ensure that the value of the protected areas is greatly enhanced, as will Namibia as a tourism destination.
The Managing Director of Namibia Wildlife Resorts, Aupindi Tobie Aupindi, explained that the concept and the location of the Onkoshi Camp arose, as none of the existing three camps in Etosha offer visitors an opportunity to experience at close quarters the most significant feature of the park, namely the 4,500 km2 saline pan.
Onkoshi Camp, built on the eastern edge of the pan, on a secluded peninsula, will do exactly this, and with only 15 units, guests will be assured of a unique and relaxing experience. Etosha National Park, as well as the parks in Namibia are underdeveloped for tourism, and NWR, as the hareholders’ tourism business arm, is committed to ensuring that the value of the parks is maximized through the strategic and sustainable development of tourism facilities.
Onkoshi Camp will be an exclusive, low impact environmentally friendly semi-permanent, up-market lodge on elevated wooden decks, offering a maximum of 15 units (30 beds), with the associated restaurant, bar area and infinity pool overlooking the pan. Guests will be brought in by NWR guides, in NWR vehicles. No self-drives to the lodge will be permitted.
Before the ceremony, guests enjoyed a drink whilst watching the sun set over the shimmering water in the Etosha Pan, and were later treated to a bush dinner, in a magical and almost surreal setting – to the rhythmical and mesmerizing beat of drums - a small taste of the unadulterated African experience that the new camp will be offering its clients. The Onkoshi Camp is scheduled for completion in August 2008.
For more information, contact the Namibia Tourism Board in Frankfurt
www.namibia-tourism.com or www.namibiatourism.com.na
or
Namibia Wildlife Resorts www.nwr.com.na
Media: aherma@namibia-tourism.com
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60313 Frankfurt am Main
Germany
Tel 00 49 – (0)69 / 13 37 360
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info@namibia-tourism.com
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