More good news!
Just to let you know that Namibia will be opening to tourism effective 3rd August.

More info to follow.

Dependant on airlines

There is that, and the issue that the government can reverse itself in a second.

The problem is, infections rates in Namibia are only increasing at the moment. The open window can slam shut pretty quickly.

Regardless of coronavirus, what about the other Namibian scourge -- drought? Do you know if much of the country got any decent rains last (Southern Hemisphere) summer?

Here's the kicker on that, we had excellent rains this year and good grass growth pretty much everywhere. So we all thought great we're finally turning the corner on this damn drought only to get blindsided by CV-19.

It's been a tough 7 years.

I’m driving cross country Windhoek to Katima on Wednesday and Thursday.
Will post some pictures once I’m there to show you what it currently looks like.

Good luck Ian, my best to Mama and the girls.

I'd love to chase a buff with you this year but life just gets in the way sometimes.

I feel very bad for everyone who had a dream hunt planned this year and lost the opportunity. Its good to see things opening, and yes they could close it in a couple days. The potentially bigger problem is that your home country could close to all returning hunters and you could be stuck who knows where for a very long time.

quote:

Originally posted by Venture South:
I’m driving cross country Windhoek to Katima on Wednesday and Thursday.
Will post some pictures once I’m there to show you what it currently looks like.

That would be an awesome drive. Enjoy my friend.

My brother has been stuck in Namibia since March ...

I'd trade places in a heartbeat.

Where is he holed up?

Russ: You have got to be KIDDING. Since March!

quote:

Originally posted by bcolyer:
Russ: You have got to be KIDDING. Since March!

We went to the Galapagos in late February and they locked down the islands, no flights, one week after we left or we would still be there.

Not kidding. No flights out. Earliest Sept, he was told (returning to Canada). It's a long swim.

Don't know what your brother is telling you Russ, but if he is an American citizen he could have gotten out of Namibia on 1 or 2 April, and a couple of times since. I took an US Embassy organized charter by Westair to Lusaka and then connected with Ethiopian to Addis and on to Dulles. Had some Brits on the flight and small amount of room for others. Cost about $3,900 and I am still in discussion with British Airways over reimbursement for their canceled flights.

Regards, Tim

As of 10 August, Windhoek now has the fastest growing number of new CV-19 cases with 73 positive cases. Walvis and Swakop still remain on lockdown with 64 and 9 new cases respectively.

From the numbers, seems Windhoek will be the new epicenter. If this happens, most likely Windhoek goes back into lockdown further pushing the likelihood that international flights will return to Namibia any time soon.

But TIA, so subject to change at any moment.

Well crap, as expected Windhoek and the rest of the country goes back into Stage 3 restriction. Not a full lockdown, but full travel restriction into and out of each region for the next 16 days.

This is strangling what's left of the economy. Tourism folks are losing everything.

Whats everyone using for photo hosting
got a few great shots id like to share.

Postimages.org is quite easy to use. Tutorial available at the link in my signature.

Thanks

Thanks Hannay
Appreciate the help

Frank, you will recognise my brats playing in the sand.
Thats Claire on top taking photos, her new hobby, and Sarah and Robyn having a blast in the sand.
We are on a sand bar in the Zambezi there. Zambia is on the far bank.
Beautiful evening, cold beer and warm air, got to love it!

That looks like Karl’s camp at Bwabwata.

quote:

That looks like Karl’s camp at Bwabwata

Jerry, you should know! Spent your fair share of evenings there

quote:

That would be an awesome drive. Enjoy my friend

Sure was. Down south was about as good as I had seen in recent years.
The North is pretty dry.

quote:

Originally posted by Venture South:

quote:

That looks like Karl’s camp at Bwabwata

Jerry, you should know! Spent your fair share of evenings there

Spent more time at Sobbe and Sikunga but it a very beautiful place!

Airport opens September 1st
Welcome Back!

The latest from the President - Namibia now has the highest rate of new infections on the Continent. (Hardly surprising as Namibia has ramped up the ability to test) Officially there are 9,906 cases and 65 deaths as of this announcement.

So travel restriction in the Khomas (Windhoek, Okahanja and Rehoboth) between regions will continue for another 14 days - September 12th. However, the travel restriction in the Erongo region have finally been lifted.

One step forward and one step back.

Ethiopian Airlines resumes flights to Windhoek September 11.
If anyone is looking for the best prices that have ever been offered on Buff and Ele in prime areas they should get in touch now.
Won’t last long

Great news, but what happens if one cannot leave the Khomas area?

As far as I know the airport is excluded from the lockdown and all passengers must go direct to their first destination and stay there a minimum of 7 days.
Busy working through the guidelines but it looks like a well though out approach to opening again.

I also think the latest US stats and the admissions that only 6% were actually Covid deaths is going to turn this around

The WHO and CDC messed up badly

quote:

Originally posted by Venture South:
Thanks Hannay
Appreciate the help

Frank, you will recognise my brats playing in the sand.
Thats Claire on top taking photos, her new hobby, and Sarah and Robyn having a blast in the sand.
We are on a sand bar in the Zambezi there. Zambia is on the far bank.
Beautiful evening, cold beer and warm air, got to love it!

Brats? Your girls were a joy to be around!. Tell them "Hi" for me.

I envy you the view there, much better than the industrial yard outside my office window.

quote:

Originally posted by Venture South:
As far as I know the airport is excluded from the lockdown and all passengers must go direct to their first destination and stay there a minimum of 7 days.
Busy working through the guidelines but it looks like a well though out approach to opening again.

I also think the latest US stats and the admissions that only 6% were actually Covid deaths is going to turn this around

The WHO and CDC messed up badly

You might want to check on that. I had four staff members stuck in Swakop for a month that could not leave the city under any circumstances. The police were stationed at every road leading out of Swakop and Walvis Bay and turning everyone back. Even our travel permits were of no use. Fortunately now, Erongo has opened back up.

On 12 September we will see what the geniuses in charge decide to do next.

quote:

You might want to check on that. I had four staff members stuck in Swakop for a month that could not leave the city under any circumstances. The police were stationed at every road leading out of Swakop and Walvis Bay and turning everyone back. Even our travel permits were of no use. Fortunately now, Erongo has opened back up.

On 12 September we will see what the geniuses in charge decide to do next.

Time will tell but so far all is looking good.

quote:

Brats? Your girls were a joy to be around!. Tell them "Hi" for me.

I envy you the view there, much better than the industrial yard outside my office window.

Frank

Thanks Frank.
They great kids. They all say Hi
Much bigger now too.

Robyn the youngest has decided she wants to hunt an Elephant bull next

She shot and cooked a few rock pigeons So now figures a bull Ele is the logical progression

The latest guidance on travel to Namibia as of 2 August.

https://www.thenational.ae/lif...st-results-1.1071752

Basically, tourists can now come in and travel straight to their destination. Entering the country they must show a negative CV-19 test taken 72 hours or less, stay at a hotel or lodge approved by the Ministry of Health or Tourism Board, must submit to a retest on day 5, and must have a Namibian cell number.

Namibians on the other hand still cannot enter/leave Windhoek/Khomas area. So not sure if a local can drive you through the checkpoints so that may mean hired transport. But who certifies them? Sounds like a SNAFU in the making.

Update 11 September, 2020:

quote:

President Hage Geingob has announced that the state of emergency will be extended to all regions until 17 September. Travel restrictions for the Khomas region remain in place while travel outside Namibia is permitted subject to self quarantine upon return.

We have our first hunters in camp on the 18th
Namibia is open for hunting

If you are able to you should be taking this opportunity of a lifetime to come and hunt at prices that have not been seen in 10 years