Damaraland - September 2007
01 Oct 2007
Weather
Damaraland is experiencing a stubborn end-of-winter cold streak. The wind is not giving up in the evenings and keeps up a steady chilly breeze compliments of the Atlantic Ocean to our west. But true to Damaraland Style we are not letting it get the better of us. Dinners in the main area are snug and warm with our fire place, and our outside dinners are even more sociable with guests and staff alike wrapped in warm blankets sitting together under the stars around a rather large fire. With reports of hot weather further east and north and even reports of RAIN? in some areas, we're waiting patiently for Winter to release its hold. The mornings in Damaraland are misty as the Fog pushes up the Huab River, before quickly evaporating as the sun rises above the red mountains. As soon as the sun comes up the days are still pleasant and warm and our small swimming pool and deck chairs are welcomed by Guests during the lazy afternoons after lunch.
Vegetation, Landscape and Water
The Damaraland scenery still takes our breath away, even though we live out here. The Valley below the Camp is mesmerizing and is very hard not to notice. With crystal bright blue skies against the contrasting red and gold mountains it's a sight for sore eyes and has such a calming effect on all who pass through here.
Wildlife News
The resident D-Camp black-backed jackals are on top form at the moment. Many a meal is interrupted by their wailing calls just beyond the fire light. Elephant sightings are still a daily occurrence in the Huab with 'Oscar's Group' and 'Rosie's Group' joining up on one occasion and giving guests a great sighting of up to 30 desert-adapted Elephants at a time. The young baby is growing in confidence and is starting to find his feet with the other two youngsters and has discovered he has some great playmates. Guests have had a wonderful time watching their silliness as they push and pull and charge each other, with mum nearby when the older youngsters get a bit rough. A little further away in the Springbok River there have been reports of a new born Black Rhino calf as well as a Lioness with 2 Cubs.
Although the cubs and the calf have not yet been sighted by Damaraland guides it is still ery exciting news and we hope to see them as soon as both mums decide it's time for introductions.
Coming into camp more frequently now as well is a small herd of young Kudu cows. They wander in amongst the Tents at night foraging on the new tender leaves of plants and as the sun rises they are seen from the breakfast table making their way down the Valley again. They really are the "nobility" of the larger Antelope. Cheetah have been sighted a few times this last month too and there have been very clear signs of Brown Hyena in the Huab riverbed although no actual sightings as yet.
Birds and Birding
Birding is FABULOUS at the moment. Dozens of small kestrels and falcons are sighted daily along the flat plains hovering in the afternoon thermals while they hunt for lizards and small rodents. A pair of Martial Eagles has been sighted near the Camp and, as the largest eagle in Africa, are an awesome sight. A Secretary Bird has also taken recent residence in the Flats and is a great sighting as it stalks along the open spaces with its head feathers bobbing in the breeze. The Bokmakieries in camp are giving a clear indication that Summer is on its way with amazing displays of their vocal abilities. They are on almost every roof top, bush tip or post imaginable with their heads thrown back and their song streaming out.
And in Other News
This last month one of Damarland Camp Managers, Gerda van Niekerk, represented the Camp at the local Bergsig School Prize giving, where she handed out prizes and congratulated Scholars who had preformed throughout the year. Many of the children of Damaraland Camp staff children attend this local boarding school, so moms and dads at Damaralnd Camp all attended to watch their children receive their awards.
That's all for now folks.
Best Regards,
Nadja le Roux and DMC Staff
Browse our RSS feed page and sign up for the most up to date news as it breaks.
More about Damaraland Camp
News by