/Ai - /Ais Hot Springs Game Park

Land uses
  • State reserve
  • Tourism
Land area
  • 4,354 km2

A State National Park, the park is managed as one unit under conservation and sustainable development principles.

The park is characterised by extremely rugged and largely inaccessible terrain in the majority of the area, while the eastern section is traversed by the Fish river which has deeply incised into bedrock and now provides the main attraction of the park – the Fish River Canyon.

As a consequence of its location, the park is of great biodiversity importance with important populations of rare and endemic plant species, particularly succulents.

It is also home to the Appolo 11 Cave where Africa's oldest known rock paintings were first excavated in 1969.





Arimas, Bobbejankrans, Mara & Spieelberg

This land, comprising several farms, is adjacent to the /Ai - /Ais Hot Springs Game Park in the central area of the landscape.





Aussenkehr Nature Park

Land uses
  • Private reserve
  • Tourism
Land area
  • 1,191 km2

Bordering the Orange River, Aussenkehr Nature Park is at the south eastern edge of the landscape in rugged and mountainous terrain.

The Aussenkehr Nature Park is used for tourism, offering a variety of 4x4 trails as well as the Norotshama River Resort.





Bloukrans

Land area
  • 197 km2

Bloukrans is situated at  the south eastern edge of the landscape, adjacent to /Ai - /Ais Hot Springs Game Park and Kanabeam.





Canyon Nature Park

Land uses
  • Private reserve
  • Tourism
Land area
  • 419 km2

On the western edge of the canyon, Canyon Nature Park is managed for tourism and conservation.

The Fish River Lodge is located here and offers various game drives, hiking trips and other activities.





Chamities

Land area
  • 123 km2

Chamities is sItuated in the northern area of the landscape.

It is bordered by Gawachab Conservancy to the north, Gondwana Canyon Park to the south and farm Oase to the south east.





Churutabis Sonnitags

Land area
  • 95 km2

Churutabis Sonnitags is situated in the north west of the landscape, adjacent to Canyon Nature Park,  /Ai /Ais Hot Springs Game Park and the farms of Zarachibis and Koedoelaagte.





Einaug

Land area
  • 139 km2

Einaug is located at the eastern edge of the landscape, adjacent to Gondwana Canyon Park and the farms Leverbreek, Sprinfontuin, Oase and Gabasis.





Gabasis Wes

Land uses
  • Cattle farming
  • Small-stock farming

Gabasis West is a state-owned resettlement farm, used for farming of goats, sheep and cattle.





Gawachab Conservancy

Land area
  • 132 km2

In the northern part of the landscape, Gawachab Conservancy is adjacent to Naute Recreation Resort and farm Chamities. It was registered as a conservancy in 2005. Average annual rainfall is 100 to 150 mm.

 

 





Gondwana Canyon Park

Land uses
  • Private reserve
  • Tourism
Land area
  • 1,164 km2

Occupying a large area in the north-east of the landscape, Gondwana Canyon Park is the first piece of land acquired in 1995 by the Gondwana Collection and is now the largest and oldest nature reserve of the Gondwana Collection.

By now it is seen as ‘Little Etosha’: nowhere else in southern Namibia are animals found in similar numbers and diversity: species which once used to roam the area are finally back again - like springbok, oryx antelope, hartebeest, blue wildebeest, ostrich, plains and mountain zebra, kudu and klipspringer.





Kanabeam

Land area
  • 248 km2

Kanabeam is in the south east of the landscape, partially enclosed by the /Ai - /Ais Hot Springs Game Park and adjacent to the farms Bloukrans and Kwaggasnek.





Klein Karas Cooperative

Land uses
  • Residential
  • Small-stock farming
  • Tourism

The Klein Karas cooperative is a resettled community in a communal set-up on state-owned land.

The land is used primarily for livestock farming of goats and sheep and the community is also engaged in a sewing project, brick project and gardening. There is also a Tourism information centre.





Kolke

Land area
  • 195 km2

At the western edge of the landscape, Kolke is a state-owned farm. It borders farms Zebrafontein and Arimas.





Konkiep Nature Park

Land area
  • 447 km2

Konkiep Nature Park is centrally located within the landscape, bordering /Ai - /Ais Hot Springs Game Park on the east, the land unit of Arimas, Bobbejankrans, Mara & Spieelberg on the west and the Gondwana Canyon Park to the north.





Kuduberg, Middleberg and Bruinkop

Land uses
  • Cattle farming
  • Game hunting
  • Small-stock farming
Land area
  • 201 km2

Kuduberg is situated at the eastern edge of the landscape adjacent to Gondwana Canyon Park.

The land is used for livestock farming (sheep & cattle) with some game hunting.





Kwaggasnek

Land area
  • 180 km2

Kwaggasnek is located at the eastern sid eof the landscape adjacent to the /Ai - /Ais Hot Springs Game Park and at the southern end of Gondwana Canyon Park.





Leverbreek

Land area
  • 71 km2

In the northern part of the landscape, Leverbreek is adjacent to Gondwana Canyon Park and the farms Springfontuin and Einaug.





Namaskluft

Land uses
  • Tourism
Land area
  • 222 km2

Adjoining the western edge of /Ai - /Ais Hot Springs Game Park, Namaskluft is utilised for tourism, with the the Namaskluft Rest Camp offering various activities in the area.





Naute Recreation Resort (incl. Ghoggab)

Land uses
  • State reserve
  • Tourism
Land area
  • 361 km2

The State-owned Naute Recreation Resort (including the newly-purchased farm Ghoggab) is utlised for conservation and tourism.

The resort adjoins the Naute Dam, some 50 km south-west of Keetmanshoop. The dam was built on the Löwen River and has been in operation since 1972 while the park was proclaimed in 1988. The area around the dam is open to the public for recreational purposes (angling, boating, camping), but the majority of the game park adjoining the recreation areas to the east and south is not accessible to the public. Here populations of gemsbok, springbok and smaller antelope such as steenbok and duiker roam the grassy plains.





Oase and Leverbreek

Land area
  • 171 km2

In the north of the landscape, the land unit of Oase and Leverbreek is adjacent to the Gondwana Canyon Park





Spitskop and Spitskop Wes

Land area
  • 134 km2

The land unit of Spitskop and Spitskop Wes is situated at the extreme western edge of the landscape. Its western edge borders the Sperrgebeit area of the Namib-Naukluft Park while Namaskluft is to the east of it.





Springfontuin

Land area
  • 72 km2

In the northern area of the landscape, Springfontuin borders the Gondwana Canyon Park, and the farms Leverbreek and Einaug.





State land

Land uses
  • State reserve

This area is a thin sliver of state land sandwiched between the Namib-Naukluft park and Namaskluft farm.





Sud Witputz

Sud Witputs is situated at the western edge of the landscape, adjacent to Witputz Noord, Witputs Wes, Zebrafontein and Trekpoort.





Talana

Land area
  • 167 km2

Bordering the western edge of /Ai - /Ais Hot Springs Game Park, Talana is state-owned land.





Trekpoort and Witputs

Land area
  • 64 km2

The land unit of Trekpoort and Witputs is at the extreme western edge of the landscape.





Uitsig, Quagaspoort, Huns

Land area
  • 580 km2

The land unit of Uitsig, Quagaspoort, Huns is at the north western edge of the /Ai - /Ais Hot Springs Game Park.





Witputs Wes

Land area
  • 57 km2

Witputs Wes is in the extreme western area of the landscape and adjoins the Namib-Naukluft Park.





Witputz Noord

Land area
  • 200 km2

Witputz Noord is at the western side of the landscape and adjoins the Namib-Naukluft Park.





Zarachibis and Koedoelaagte

Land area
  • 212 km2

The land unit of Zarachibis and Koedoelaagte is in the central north area of the landscape, adjacent to Canyon Nature Park and Churutabis Sonnitags.





Zebrafontein

Land uses
  • Small-stock farming
Land area
  • 168 km2

Zebrafontein, situated to the west of /Ai - /Ais Hot Springs Game Park, is used exclusively for sheep farming.



» See our Literature and other resources section for more general information
  • /Ai-/Ais-Richtersveld Transfrontier Park - A short guide to the long history

    /Ai-/Ais-Richtersveld Transfrontier Park - A short guide to the long history. Ministry of Environment and Tourism

    Contradictions in the literature abound, so would you please settle the question – after the Grand Canyon in the USA, is the Fish River Canyon the second-largest canyon in the world? The answer is that it depends on how you define large. At about 1 000 metres deep, Ethiopia's Blue Nile Gorge is considered to be Africa's largest canyon, but it is also narrower (about 20 km wide at its widest) than the Fish River Canyon, and probably shorter too. (The Fish River Canyon is 160 km long, up to 27 km wide, and almost 550 metres at its deepest.) So which is Africa’s largest canyon? Toss a coin, or visit both gorges, then you may be able to answer the question for yourself.
  • /Ai-/Ais-Richtersveld Transfrontier Park - Discover the /Ai-/Ais Richtersveld Transfrontier Park

    /Ai-/Ais-Richtersveld Transfrontier Park - Discover the /Ai-/Ais Richtersveld Transfrontier Park

    Experience wilderness on a scale unimaginable. Stand at the edge of the largest natural gorge in Africa, and the second-largest canyon in the world, the Fish River Canyon. Revel in the dramatic views from Hell’s Corner where it is almost possible to imagine the dramatic natural forces that shaped the canyon. Today the /Ai-/Ais Richtersveld Transfrontier Park protects a vast area that crosses the South African border to encompass one of the richest botanical hot spots in the world, the Succulent Karoo biome.
  • /Ai-/Ais-Richtersveld Transfrontier Park - Hiking the Fish River Canyon

    /Ai-/Ais-Richtersveld Transfrontier Park - Hiking the Fish River Canyon. Ministry of Environment and Tourism

    The Fish River Canyon hiking trail is one of the most challenging hikes in Southern Africa. It is 90 km long, or around 80 km if you take advantage of the shortcuts. It takes four to five days to complete, and once you are down on the floor of the canyon, it is difficult to climb out, so be fully prepared. Please note – there are only two emergency exits along the trail.
  • 2003 Game count data

    Gondwana Canyon Park Game Count 2003.

    Spreadsheet containing the results of the 2003 game count in the Gondwana Canyon Park.
    » Download
  • 2004 Game count poster

    Gondwana Canyon Park Game Count 2004.

    Poster summarising the results of the 2004 game count in the Gondwana Canyon Park.
    » Download
  • 2005 Game count poster

    Gondwana Canyon Park Game Count 2005

    Poster summarising the results of the 2005 game count in the Gondwana Canyon Park.
    » Download
  • 2006 Game count presentation

    Gondwana Canyon Park Game Count 2006.

    Presentation summarising the results of the 2006 game count in the Gondwana Canyon Park.
    » Download
  • 2007 Game count presentation

    Gondwana Canyon Park Game Count 2007.

    Presentation summarising the results of the 2007 game count in the Gondwana Canyon Park.
    » Download
  • 2008 Game count poster

    Gondwana Canyon Park Game Count 2008

    Poster summarising the results of the 2008 game count in the Gondwana Canyon Park.
    » Download
  • 2009 Game count poster

    Gondwana Canyon Park Game Count 2009

    Poster summarising the results of the 2009 game count in the Gondwana Canyon Park.
    » Download
  • 2010 Game count poster

    Gondwana Canyon Park Game Count 2010

    Poster summarising the results of the 2010 game count in the Gondwana Canyon Park.
    » Download
  • 2011 Game count poster

    Gondwana Canyon Park Game Count 2011

    Poster summarising the results of the 2011 game count in the Gondwana Canyon Park.
    » Download
  • 2012 Game count poster

    Gondwana Canyon Park Game Count 2012

    Poster summarising the results of the 2012 game count in the Gondwana Canyon Park.
    » Download
  • 2013 Game count poster

    Gondwana Canyon Park Game Count 2013

    Poster summarising the results of the 2013 game count in the Gondwana Canyon Park.
    » Download
  • A Brief Heritage Survey of the /Ai-/Ais Richtersveld Transfrontier Park (ARTP)

    A Brief Heritage Survey of the /Ai-/Ais Richtersveld Transfrontier Park (ARTP), July 2013

    The /Ai-/Ais Richtersveld Transfrontier Park, hereafter referred to as ARTP, has significant geological and palaeontological, natural, archaeological and architectural heritage. The area also has a substantial and complex historical and cultural heritage. Fully mobilised, this heritage would add substantial value to tourism in the ARTP and assist local people with the development and protection of their culture. The tourism potential of the ARTP as a whole could be expanded by fully unlocking the tourism potential of all heritage categories in the ARTP. This is the result of an initial survey of heritage resources in the ARTP. The survey focus on archaeological, paleontological, natural and geological heritage as well as places and buildings of historical significance
  • A Strategic five-year Co-management & Development Plan for the Greater Fish River Canyon Landscape

    A Strategic five-year Co-management & Development Plan for the Greater Fish River Canyon Landscape 2013 - 2018.

    This co-management & development plan for the “Greater Fish River Canyon Landscape” sets out the vision, objectives and underlying principles for the key issues which the partners wish to address in the co-management and development of the Landscape. It also lists suggested “actions” under each of the issues, to facilitate the effective implementation of the plan.
    » Download
  • An earth science review of the Orange-Fish River Basin, Namibia

    Swart, R. 2008. An earth science review of the Orange-Fish River Basin. Report produced for the Ephemeral River Basins in Southern Africa (ERB) Project, Desert Research Foundation of Namibia (DRFN): Windhoek

  • Biodiversity zonation of the Greater Fish River Canyon Landscape

    Burke, A. 2013. Biodiversity zonation of the Greater Fish River Canyon Landscape. Report of field survey in the Nama Karoo area

    As part of a biodiversity zonation for the Greater Fish River Canyon Landscape the summer fieldtrip April-May 2013 targeted six areas, which were selected on the basis of data gaps, representation of the landscape and rainfall patterns. The Orange River mountains proved the most exciting from a plant research perspective, as new distribution records may have been found here.
    » Download
  • Biological characterisation of the Orange-Fish River Basin, Namibia

    Irish, J. 2009. Biological characterisation of the Orange-Fish River Basin, Namibia. Report produced for the Ephemeral River Basins in Southern Africa (ERB) Project, Desert Research Foundation of Namibia (DRFN: Windhoek)

    Ephemeral River Basins (ERB) in Southern Africa is a project that promotes the sustainable, equitable and improved utilisation of water and other natural resources in ephemeral river basins in southern Africa through the process of integrated resource management (IWRM). Although IWRM is accepted – internationally and regionally – as the approach promoting sustainable management of water resources and the river basin is considered the ideal unit over which to apply it, the basin management approach has not been widely tested and implemented in ephemeral river basins in southern Africa.
  • Burke A. (2020) Endemic plants of the Sperrgebiet. EnviroScience & Namibian Chamber of Environment, Windhoek.

    Burke A. (2020) Endemic plants of the Sperrgebiet. EnviroScience & Namibian Chamber of Environment, Windhoek.

    This photographic guide book introduces plants endemic to Namibia and is written for non-specialists.
    » Download
  • Economic Returns to land-use Options in Gondwana Cañon Park, Karas, Namibia

    Barnes, J.I. and Humavindu, M.N. 2003. Economic Returns to land-use Options in Gondwana Cañon Park, Karas, Namibia

    This is an analysis of the economics of the primary land uses possible in the area occupied by the Gondwana Cañon Park in Karas Region, Namibia. Three land uses, traditional small-scale livestock production, large-scale commercial livestock production and nature-based tourism were analysed with financial and economic budget/cost-benefit models. Empirical data on the physical, and financial characteristics of potential land uses were assembled and analysed. Among other things, the contributions of these activities to the national income, employment, private profitability, and local community livelihoods were measured.
  • Endemic plants of the Sperrgebiet. Poster 1 by EnviroScience

    Endemic plants of the Sperrgebiet. Poster 1 by EnviroScience

    » Download
  • Endemic plants of the Sperrgebiet. Poster 2 by EnviroScience

    Endemic plants of the Sperrgebiet. Poster 2 by EnviroScience

    » Download
  • Endemic plants of the Sperrgebiet. Poster 3 by EnviroScience

    Endemic plants of the Sperrgebiet. Poster 3 by EnviroScience

    » Download
  • Endemic plants of the Sperrgebiet. Poster 4 by EnviroScience

    Endemic plants of the Sperrgebiet. Poster 4 by EnviroScience

    » Download
  • Field Report NAM-PLACE / UNDP Field Assessment: Greater Fish River Canyon Landscape

    Field Report NAM-PLACE / UNDP Field Assessment: Greater Fish River Canyon Landscape, 03 – 08 September 2012

    As per the requirements and implementation guidelines, the United Nations Development Programme conducts field assessment in-order to assess and monitor the implementation of GEF funded programmes in the country. The field assessments enable UNDP to gain first-hand information and to understand the dynamics of project implementation and subsequently provide guidance. As a result, a combined UNDP / NAM-PLACE field assessment for the Greater Fish River Canyon Landscape was conducted from the 03 – 08 September 2012.
    » Download
  • Groundwater monitoring in the Orange-Fish River Basin, Namibia

    Groundwater monitoring in the Orange-Fish River Basin, Namibia: Recommendations towards establishing a monitoring system

  • Historic distribution of large mammals in the Greater Fish River Canyon Complex, southern Namibia, and recommendations for re-introductions

    Brown, C.J. 2006. Historic distribution of large mammals in the Greater Fish River Canyon Complex, southern Namibia, and recommendations for re-introductions.

    This report looks at the historic distribution of larger mammals in the Greater Fish River Canyon Complex of southern Namibia. Based on this information, as well as the present distribution of mammals and the present environmental conditions within and surrounding the Complex, it makes recommendations for the re-introduction and enhancement of large mammal populations.
  • Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) - Orange-Fish River Basin

    Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry. Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) - Orange-Fish River Basin

    The Orange-Fish River Basin is located in southern Namibia across parts of the Hardap and Karas Regions. It can be divided into Orange and Fish sub-basins, occupying 15% of the Namibian land surface in total. It is home to an estimated 77 000 people, which represents 56% of the total population of the two regions
  • Management & Development Plan for the Gondwana Cañon Park

    Management & Development Plan for the Gondwana Cañon Park for the period of 2008-2013
    This Management and Development Plan (MDP) sets out the vision, objectives and guidelines for the management and development of the Gondwana Cañon Park (GCP).
    » Download
  • Managing biodiversity in the /Ai-/Ais Hotsprings Game Park

    Burke, A. 2011. Managing biodiversity in the /Ai-/Ais Hotsprings Game Park. A tool for conservation-, resource- and development planners. EnviroScience & SPAN

    The /Ai-/Ais Hotsprings Game Park is the Namibian Section of the /Ai-/Ais/Richtersveld Transfrontier Park (ARTP) in the south of Namibia. Although a joint management plan exists for the Transfrontier Park, detailed information on biodiversity in the Namibian section of the park was lacking. This document addresses this gaps and describes landscape units and their biodiversity importance, highlights knowledge gaps reviews current land uses and proposed zoning and provides guidelines for managing these landscape units.
    » Download
  • Managing biodiversity of the Greater Fish River Canyon Landscape

    Burke, A. 2013. Managing biodiversity of the Greater Fish River Canyon Landscape - A tool for sustainable land management. EnviroScience and Namplace, Windhoek, 92 pp

    A biodiversity zonation for the Ai-Ais Hotsprings Game Park completed in 2011 was extended to include the Greater Fish River Canyon Landscape. Plants were used as indicators in this conservation planning study, because of the comparatively good information base, their importance for ecological processes and their ready use as indicators at a landscape level.
    » Download
  • Monitoring the reintroduction of Burchell’s zebra in Gondwana Cañon Park

    Gosling, M. 2013. Monitoring the reintroduction of Burchell’s zebra in Gondwana Cañon Park

    As part of Gondwana Cañon Park’s commitment to enriching the large mammal community of southern Namibia, it reintroduced 26 Burchell’s zebra in July 2006. This report provides an update on the population in 2013.
    » Download
  • Mountain Zebra Project

    The purpose of the Mountain Zebra Project is to promote the study of mountain zebras for scientifically based population management and promote them as as a flagship species for wider ecosystem conservation in Namibia. The project is comparing the ecology and behaviour of the species across a variety of habitats and developing study techniques that are useful in sites with different conservation management objectives.
  • Mountain Zebra Project – 4th progress report

    Gosling, M. 2012. Mountain Zebra Project – 4th progress report. Population ecology of Hartmann’s mountain zebra: comparisons between protected areas in southern Namibia.

    This is the fourth progress report on a long-term study of the population ecology, social evolution and conservation of Hartmann’s mountain zebra. The aim of the study is to provide information to help support the conservation of this sub-species in Namibia.
    » Download
  • Namibia Climate Change Vulnerability and Adaptation Assessment

    Ministry of Environment and Tourism. 2008. Climate Change Vulnerability and Adaptation Assessment Namibia. Final Report

    Vulnerability and Adaptation assessment to climate change carried out in preparation of the Second National Communication in meeting Government’s obligations to the UNFCCC. The report addresses the vulnerability of the water and agricultural sectors to climate change, and suggest adaptation measures to cope with the expected impacts. Vulnerability is placed in the socio-economic contexts of rural areas, in particular the Karas and Caprivi regions.
    » Download
  • Naute Recreation Resort - Profile

    Naute Recreation Resort - Profile. Ministry of Environment and Tourism

    The Naute Game Park surrounds Namibia's second largest dam, the Naute. The dam was constructed from 1970 to 1972 to capture the Löwen River with its tributaries, which later feeds into the Fish River. The resort is situated about 42 km south-west of Keetmanshoop and supplies the town with water. A successful irrigation project was initiated below the dam wall in 1991 and date palms and grapes are currently cultivated here. A small game reserve surrounds the dam.
  • On the Road to Adaptation: Understanding Climate Change in the Karas Region

    NaDEET and NNF, 2010. On the Road to Adaptation: Understanding Climate Change in the Karas Region

    This booklet aims to raise awareness about the impacts of climate change for farmers in the Karas Region.
  • Plant species of the Naute Game Park

    Burke, A. 2014. Plant species of the Naute Game Park – an annotated inventory. Dinteria 34: 3-11

    This paper presents an inventory of plants of the Naute Game Park, based on field surveys and information from databases. The park extends over two quarter degree squares and 159 terrestrial plant species have to date been recorded. Deciduous dwarf shrubs comprise the majority of the flora. The rare, small tree Elephantorrhiza rangei and populations of quiver tree (Aloe dichotoma), Nama corkwood (Commiphora namaensis), Nama resin-tree (Ozoroa namaensis) and black-winged twin-leaf (Zygophyllum cretaceum) are of conservation importance on the inselbergs. Also of conservation importance are the Namibian endemics Euphorbia lignosa, Geigeria brachycephala, Indigofera pechuelii, Phyllanthus dinteri, Salsola arborea and kinkelbos (Tetragonia schenkii) as well as unidentified dwarf stem-succulent Apocynaceae (Stapeliod) and Hoodia species. Invasive alien mesquite (Prosopis) trees may locally pose a threat to indigenous plants. More stringent track control in the recreational part of the park would limit the disturbance of natural habitat.
    » Download
  • Species list - birds of Gondwana Canyon Park

    Gondwana Canyon Park bird species list

    Species list giving common names in English, Afrikaans and German, scientific names, local status and where usually seen
    » Download
  • Species list - grasses of Gondwana Canyon Park

    Gondwana Canyon Park species list of grasses

  • Species list - large mammals of Gondwana Canyon Park

    Gondwana Canyon Park large mammal species list

    Species list giving common names in English, scientific names, local status and notes
    » Download
  • Species list - reptiles and amphibians of Gondwana Canyon Park

    Reptiles and amphibians of Gondwana Canyon Park

  • Species list - shrubs and trees of the Gondwana Canyon Park

    Gondwana Canyon Park species list of shrubs and trees

  • Species list - small mammals of Gondwana Canyon Park

    Small mammals of Gondwana Canyon Park

  • Species list - Tree Atlas of Namibia list of trees

    Tree Atlas of Namibia species list of trees

    Tree Atlas of Namibia species list of trees recorded in the Greater Fish River Canyon landscape
  • Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) for the Karas Integrated Regional Land Use Plan (KIRLUP)

    Koch, M., Pallett, J., Tarr, P. and Wetzel, G. 2011. Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) for the Karas Integrated Regional Land Use Plan (KIRLUP). Final Report 25 February 2011

    This Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) looks at the suggestions and proposals of the Karas Integrated Regional Land Use Plan, with the objective to develop sustainable options, identify the potential of the region’s natural resources and to achieve the land uses that best fit that potential.
  • The ecological, social & economic implications of private game parks & private nature reserves in Namibia

    The ecological, social & economic implications of private game parks & private nature reserves in Namibia

    The Ministry of Environment & Tourism commissioned this study into the ecological, social, and economic implications of private game parks and nature reserves in Namibia. The Ministry engaged the services of an independent team of researchers consisting of an ecologist, an economist and a lawyer.
    » Download
  • The Fish River Subgroup in Namibia: stratigraphy, depositional environments and the Proterozoic-Cambrian boundary problem revisited

    Geyer, G. 2005. The Fish River Subgroup in Namibia: stratigraphy, depositional environments and the Proterozoic-Cambrian boundary problem revisited. Geological Magazine 142(05): 465–498

    The Fish River Subgroup of the Nama Group, southern Namibia, is restudied in terms of lithostratigraphy and depositional environment. The study is based on partly fine-scaled sections, particularly of the Nababis and Gross Aub Formation. The results are generally in accordance with earlier studies. However, braided river deposits appear to be less widely distributed in the studied area, and a considerable part of the formations of the middle and upper subgroup apparently were deposited under shallowest marine conditions including upper shore-face. Evidence comes partly from sedimentary features and facies distribution, and partly from trace fossils, particularly Skolithos and the characteristic Trichophycus pedum. Environmental conditions represented by layers with T. pedum suggest that the producer favoured shallow marine habitats and transgressive regimes.
  • The socio-economic agricultural baseline survey done in the communal areas of the Karas region

    Louwrens, A. 2004. The socio-economic agricultural baseline survey done in the communal areas of the Karas region. Agricola, 14: 43-51

    During 2000 a very comprehensive survey was carried out in the communal areas of the Karas Region (Tses, Berseba, Bethanie and Bondelswarts). This article portrays some of the results of that survey. Results are presented on the socio-economic status of households, focusing specifically on household description and house- hold income. The article also includes information on productive resources such as water, firewood, land and live- stock, as well as on project participation of members of the community and support provided to them by government organisations and NGOs.
  • Trace fossils from the Nama Group (Precambrian-Cambrian) of southwest Africa (Namibia)

    Crimes, T.P. and Germs, G.J.B. 1982. Trace fossils from the Nama Group (Precambrian-Cambrian) of southwest Africa (Namibia). Journal of Paleontology 56(4): 890–907

    The late Precambrian to Early Cambrian Nama Group of southwest Africa (Namibia) has yielded additional trace fossils. The succession is divided, in ascending order, into the Kuibis, Schwarzrand and Fish River Subgroups. In the Kuibis Subgroup Bergaueria sp. is recorded. In the Schwarzrand Subgroup Brooksella sp., ?Chondrites sp., Diplocraterion sp., Nereites sp., and Skolithos sp. occur near the base while ?Diplichnites sp., Neonereites biserialis Seilacher, 1960 and N. uniserialis Seilacher, 1960 occur only high up, in the Nomtsas Formation. The Fish River Subgroup has yielded Enigmatichnus africani n. ichnogen., n. ichnosp., Phycodes cf. P. pedum Seilacher 1955 and Skolithos sp. On the basis of this material and the trace and body fossils described by Germs (1972a, b, c; 1973a, b) it is inferred that the Kuibis Subgroup is most probably Vendian, the Schwarzrand Subgroup below the Nomtsas Formation may be Vendian or Tommotian, while the Nomtsas Formation and Fish River Subgroup are at least as young as Tommotian and may be partly or entirely younger. Many of the trace fossils from low in the succession are exceptionally small. This may prove to be of stratigraphical significance but trace fossil dwarfing can result from unfavorable environmental conditions in rocks of any age.
  • Wildflowers of the Southern Namib

    Mannheimer C.A., Maggs-Kölling G., Kolling H. & Rügheimer S. 2008. Wildflowers of the Southern Namib. Windhoek. 292 pp. ISBN: 978-99916-0-878-5