Ronnie and Elsabe Barnard, directors of Kalahari Bush Break, regard themselves extremely privileged to be given the opportunity to work with the rhythms of nature and exploring their dreams with the natural beauty of Africa as their palette.
The Kalahari Desert is a vast sandveld region which extends over central and western Botswana into eastern Namibia and the Northern Cape. Although generally described as a desert, the typical Kalahari landscape is surprisingly well-vegetated.
In spring its undulating sandy plains become a flowering wilderness; after midsummer rains they become covered in tall green grass and leafy trees, such as shepherd's tree (Boscia Albitrunca), camelthorn (Acacia Erioloba), yellowwood (Terminalia Sericea) and a vast variety of shrubs.
Lodge:
At Kalahari Bush Breaks, you are surrounded by primordial, enthralling savannas while the ambience of the guest house itself is both natural and luxurious. You can relax in comfort while taking in a unique and unspoilt landscape- certainly the best of both worlds.
The garden is shaded by worm-bark false-thorn trees (Albizia Anthelmintica) and overlooks a floodlit waterhole where game and birds flock during the day. Natural building materials were used.
The colours and patterns have an African feel and traditional Namibian cosiness. You are looked after by a husband and wife team assisted by well trained, friendly staff conversant in various European and African languages.
The three-levelled thatched complex and 2 Chalets can accommodate up to sixteen people (plus 2 guides) sharing. There are eight bedrooms, two which are equipped with double beds, and all have en-suite bathrooms.
The partly covered lapa can be referred to as the "heart" of the guest house with open fireplace, a kitchen and bar facilities.
Luxury Camping Sites:
Please take note that the campsites are situated 2.5km from the lodge!!!
There are ten camping sites, and a waterhole. The camp is conveniently positioned close to the passing Trans-Kgalagadi Highway and an ideal overnight stop for visitors to and from Namibia.
Guests can do the 4x4 route whilst staying in the camp sites.
Breakfast and dinner can be enjoyed at the Guest House and must be booked before 16h00. Ablution facilities are modern with a rustic touch, all to make the visitor feel that he is in Africa.
Each camping site has its own fireplace and braai grid with an electric light and 15 amp plug point.
Eco Camping Sites:
This facility is in close proximity to the luxury campsites and shaded by indigenous bastard umbrella thorn trees (Acacia Luederitzii). The sites are grouped around an open-air ablution block and would serve the visitor who is on a limited budget or would really like to "rough it".
Hot water for the showers is provided by a "donky" which is a must for a true romantic Namibian evenings.
Kalahari Bush Break Activities:
Kalahari Bush Breaks allows you to choose a wide range of adventures. We are convinced that you will fall in love with the deafening tranquillity and that your impressions will be unforgettable!
Time is not an issue; there are no set schedules, and certainly no pressure to participate in drives or walks. The Kalahari Bush Breaks team offers such a broad spectrum of options that guests are at liberty to choose as and when they want, those facilities which suit their personal preferences.
Activities
- 3 walking trails, some leading to the ancient bushman engravings (for lodge guests only)
- Observing game from a hide overlooking a waterhole (for lodge guests only)
- Horse riding (on request for experienced riders and must be booked in advance)
- Game drives (pre-book before 15:00)
- A 20km self-drive 4x4 route
The Kalahari offers visitors the opportunity to see one of the last essentially intact eco systems in Africa - as well as visiting a land where Bushmen once roamed. Add to that the open nature of the terrain, and you have fine wildlife viewing against a backdrop of high scenic drama.
There are no lakes here, no flowing rivers. Temperatures are extreme: there are summer highs of over 40°C, and winter lows reach a bone-chilling - 10°C. But this frequently arid and often barren-looking terrain, which has a great beauty of its own, is home to thousands of plants and animals which survive and reproduce century after century. Fascinating survival techniques abound in the hostile wilderness.
We don't have the Big Five, but we are extremely excited about our "Small 500". Usually, however, the Kalahari is cloudless. Humidity is low, and this combined with high daytime temperatures creates high rates of evaporation. Plants are either perennials, which live for many years, or annuals, which germinate, grow, flower, seed and die in one year.
The Kalahari has amazing strategies for survival and plants exhibit ingenious adaptations to accomplish this. For instance, some seeds take advantage of strong winds by having wind dispersal aids such as "wings". Others like the Devils Claw, (Harpagophytum Procumbens) have fruits armed with long hooks which become entangled in animal hair.
Birds:
Of the 264 species recorded in the Kalahari, only 78 are residents (always present). Sixteen species are regular seasonal migrants. Another 18 are classified as nomads, meaning that they visit the Kalahari regularly but not during any predictable season. And the great majority of species recorded(152) are vagrants - irregular visitors which may be common in some years, depending on conditions.
The resident bird species are mainly Raptors, like the Chanting and Gabar Goshawks, Martial and Tawny Eagles, or insectivores, such as the Marico and Chat Flycatcher. The striking Crimson breasted Shrike, the Fork tailed Drongo and the familiar Anteating Chats. A few mixed feeders (insects and fruits) such as the Red eyed Bulbul, Pied Barbet, and Cape and Burchell's Glossy Starlings are also common residents. These species do not reach the numbers of the nomads because they live off the lower density, although more predictable food supply than seeds.
Where is Kalahari Bush Break?
The Kalahari Desert is a vast sandveld region which extends over central and western Botswana into eastern Namibia and the Northern Cape.
Although generally described as a desert, the typical Kalahari landscape is surprisingly well-vegetated.
In spring its undulating sandy plains become a flowering wilderness; after midsummer rains they become covered in tall green grass and leafy trees, such as shepherd's tree (Boscia Albetrunca), camelthorn (Acacia Erioloba), yellowwood (Terminalia Sericea) and a vast variety of shrubs.