Years of visits to this diverse place

[Guinea Pig]

Will be following this closely as we're planning a Namibian trip in the not too distant future.

[Tina]

wonderful start

I love leopards

It seems I have not been to that place either. Looks very nice.

[mouseinthehouse]

Not sure where your photo is Is it in the north...Kunene? We have been to Namibia a few time but still have much to see. We hope to spend more time in Damaraland and of course return to Etosha which holds fond memories for us. Would love to see any Damaraland pics if you have spent time in the area.

thanks for all the terrific photos!

[Kesheshe]

OK I am in the deep south and as you can see not all of Namibia is a desert.

Only I few KM's after the border turn left and drive parallel to the orange river. We stayed at a place called Norotshama Lodge. Norotshama can be reached via the 50 km tar road from Noordoewer, or the approximately 90 km dirt road along the river from Sendelingsdrif or Rosh Pinah. There is also a nicely isolated dirt road running down from Ai-Ais to the Aussenkher farm.



It is good for:

◦Wild waters (white water rafting) as well as family friendly water sport

◦Excuisite landscapes

◦Close to Fish River Canyon

◦The ideal place for canoing

The Aussenkehr Valley has had a colourful history. In the 1800’s it was an uninhabited area with little interest for the colonial powers of the day. Nama tribes travelled through the area but never settled in the valley due to their nomadic existence. However, during the late 1800’s, with the discovery of diamonds along the Orange River, the colonial powers of Germany and Britain began to exert their influence over southern Namibia.

At nearby Uhabis, the German colony of South West Africa set up a border post manned by German sentries, for those traveling across the Orange River into German territory. This border post was the scene of several skirmishes during the Nama Uprising at the beginning of the 1900’s. Today the graves of young German soldiers at Uhabis remind us of this conflict.

During this period of German colonial rule several German families settled in the Aussenkehr valley. These families farmed oranges and figs which they would send to Keetmanshoop as well as to Cape Town. However, because of Aussenkehr’s isolation, lack of infrastructure and a devastating flood of the Orange River, this farming proved unprofitable and ceased in 1905.

In the 1940’s there was a new South African attempt to develop the Noordoewer / Vioolsdrif / Aussenkehr region. This resulted in infrastructural development of Noordoewer and Vioolsdrif but not Aussenkehr.

Since 1951 there have been several owners of Aussenkehr’s farms. Each had his own idea as to what would prove economically viable or sustainable for the valley. These activities have included diamond prospecting and various attempts at agriculture, in particular, livestock (karakul and boerbok), game farming, lucerne and vegetable production, particularly tomatoes.

In 1988 the first vineyards were planted in the valley. Today Aussenkehr is home to the largest early grape production farms in the Southern hemisphere and boast over 1200 hectares of vineyards. The latest table grape production technology has been introduced and we boast one of the largest and most advanced pack-house facilities in the world.

The farm is now a leading exporter of early table grapes to major world markets such as Russia, Europe, the UK and the Far East.

In the midst of a booming table grape industry, the need arise to accommodate seasonal service providers. Accommodation units were erected and this soon became a popular retreat for travelers. What started out from humble beginnings now turned into one of Southern Namibia’s most exclusive holiday destinations.

[Kesheshe]

[Kesheshe]

[Lisbeth]

There is room for a lot of grapes there Lovely scenery

[nan]

your room is better than the last ones
your is idylic
the others a bit hot

is it a bit "mosquitos's land" ? or I'm false again

love the big fire

[Kesheshe]

Namibia does not really have a mosquito or malaria problem not like KNP. We departed heading west on the C13. We have done both the Richtersveld, Ai-AIS and other attractions in the south so I will start with what the drives in the area can reveal.

[nan]

love the mixture between red dunes and red hills
magnificent pictures

not easy to live here