Page 17 - Destination Risk and Resilience Manual-Namibia

DESTINATION RISK AND RESILIENCE MANUAL

the Moon Landscape, and the desert dune belt between offers kayaking, angling, marine tours, bird watching
Swakopmund and Walvis Bay. The second park is a por- etc. Within the conservancies, national and private
tion of the Namib-Naukluft Park which lies within the game parks, game viewing safaris, rock climbing, hik-
southern part of the Erongo Region and boasts several ing, and visits to heritage sites such as the Spitzkoppe
flora and fauna. While there are several private parks in bald granite peaks or inselbergs are on offer. (Erongo
the region, the largest of these parks is the Erindi Game Regional council, 2021). Communities living within the
Reserve, which is home to 20 000 animals (Erongo Re- conservancies provide tourists with cultural tourism,
gional Council, 2021). Some of the major tourist attrac- where the visitors can experience the traditional way
tions in the Erongo Region include the desert dunes of of life of the community.
Swakopmund and Walvis Bay, the two RAMSAR birds’
sites of Walvis Bay and Sandwich harbour, the Skeleton
coast and its shipwrecks, seal colonies and generally 2.4.3 Accommodation
fascinating desert plants. The Spitzkoppe and Brandberg
mountains are rock climbers’ and hikers’ havens. It is Within the coastal towns of Swakopmund, Walvis
also enriched with fascinating rock paintings that add and Henties bay there are over 3,000 accommodation
an aspect of heritage tourism to the region. The Brand- facilities ranging from four-star beach and city hotels,
berg mountain is a spiritual site of great significance guest houses, Airbnbs, rest camps, private holiday
to the San (Bushman) tribes. It is also home to a large homes, etc. Accommodation within the National and
diversity of wildlife and draws huge numbers of tourists private Game Parks as well as within the conservancies
yearly. Within the several parks and desert landscapes, ranges from 5-star lodges to rest camps. The region has
several large animals are found and these include; ele- accommodation facilities to cater for different types of
phants, lions, rhinos, hippos and leopards. tourists.

Community tourism 2.4.4 Accessibility
The Erongo Region is a haven of community-based
tourism which supports local communities such as The ease with which tourists are able to reach a des-
the Topnaar community living along the banks of the tination plays an important role in the success and
Kuiseb River and whose survival is dependent on the growth of a destination. Walvis Bay has an interna-
natural environment, and to whom resilience and sus- tional airport that allows direct international flights
tainability is key to future survival and sustenance of connection to the region. Other smaller airstrips ac-
their livelihoods. The Topnaar community’s tradition- commodate small charter flights between the region to
al way of life and culture offers the tourist a unique other attractions within the region and to other des-
tourism experience. tinations within Namibia. The region has a good road
network connecting it to all other parts of the region
and the country as a whole. It is also accessible by sea
Conservancies with the harbour facilities at the port of Walvis Bay.
There are numerous conservancies within the Erongo
Region which spur community-based tourism and
bring in a significant number of hunters, hence gen- 2.4.5 Amenities
erating income for several communities. Some of the
conservancies include the Otjimboyo and Ohungu of Broadly defined, amenities are those facilities that
the Ugab River valley and the Tsiseb conservancy near complement the attraction, make it easy for the
the Brandberg mountain and its famous white lady tourists to visit and enhance their holiday experi-
rock painting. ence. These include tour operators, car hire services,
hotels, tourism information, etc. Other amenities at
the destination that enhance the tourist experience
2.4.2 Activities include clean and sheltered beaches. Included also are
public offices that directly or indirectly contribute to
Activities within a destination enhances tourism expe- the smooth functioning of the destination. Among
riences. In Erongo, the desert dunes of Swakopmund them are the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and
and Walvis Bay provide activities such as quad biking Tourism, the Namibia Wildlife Resorts and the Erongo
over the dunes, dune climbing and sand boarding. The Regional Council.
Swakopmund, Walvis Bay and Henties bay coastline

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