News / Camp News

Damaraland Camp - June 2008

25 Jul 2008

Weather
Winter - What winter? Damaraland Camp has been experiencing wonderfully warm weather. While the rest of Namibia has been much colder we've been having lovely warm days up to 30° Celsius, and nights where t-shirts and shorts are the dining attire. This could change any day, so we've been enjoying it while it lasts.

Vegetation, Landscape and Water
The grasses are rapidly disappearing as we head into our winter months and most of the game are moving back into the ephemeral river systems to try find forage closer to the permanent water supplies. So our golden grass-covered mountains are turning back to the normal red colour of the rocks as the grass disappears. We've had a few misty mornings, bringing in the much needed water, but it is clear that the summer rains are a thing of the past as our terrain returns to its arid state.

Wildlife News
A first ever for Damaraland Camp and something none of us could believe when we saw it. Tuesday the 8th of July started as any normal day, until a radio call from guide Everest informed us that there were two BLACK RHINO heading towards camp. At first nobody was sure if he was joking or not, so a couple staff members jumped into a Land Rover and headed towards the airstrip. Just 3km from camp we came across them, heading casually in our direction. They took a short rest under a shepherd's tree along the road, and then continued in the direction of camp. We all waited at the main area in anticipation, and lo and behold we spotted them making their way towards us. The pair cut across the valley in plain sight from our main area and headed easterly on our Damarana Trail which guests usually walk in the afternoons.

Save the Rhino Trust were contacted and they verified their identity through the rhinos' ear markings as a young female named Rambuka and a male they suspect, but haven't verified, as Blacky. The female is approximately seven years old. The two rhino have probably paired up as she is in season, and if all goes according to plan, she will be having her first calf within the next 15 months. We hope they stick around, they are more than welcome!

Elephants have been moving along the river beds and we are having sightings on a daily basis. The three youngsters born this year are between six and eight months old now and are finding their feet. We suspect that there's another pregnant female in Oscar's group, and hopefully we will be seeing a new addition to the family, a great friend for their youngest calf who is about 15 months old now.

Unfortunately as the season gets drier and food becomes less, the elephants have been playing havoc in the local community: breaking into gardens and destroying food crops. The local communities are keeping a watch on their gardens and are trying to chase the elephants out when they come around, but they slip silently and stealthily under the radar at night and still get in. This is just a part of the reality in our area.

We have also had a visit from a pride of lions close to Damaraland Camp. They were collared lions from the westerly region towards the Palmwag Concession. We had heard news that they had visited Desert Rhino Camp, then Wereldsend and then headed our way, making their way steadily east. We had one sighting of a female, but they remained elusive, and soon were back on their way to where they came from. Better luck next time.

Other News
The Torra Conservancy in which Damaraland Camp is located celebrated its 10-year anniversary on the 20th of last month. There was a wonderful celebration in the local town nearby and Damaraland Camp took part in a few of the activities held. One of our managers judged the "Miss Anniversary" beauty competition. We also assisted the Round Table in handing out 340 blankets to the local communities. Honorary Guests - Minister of Environment and Tourism, Mrs. Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, and Governor, Mr. Dudu Murorua - attended the celebrations and paid a visit to Damaraland Camp. It was a wonderful weekend, and all the staff attended and danced the night away to local live bands.

Best Regards,

-Nadja le Roux and Damaraland Camp Staff-

Browse our RSS feed page and sign up for the most up to date news as it breaks.

More about Damaraland Camp