EXPERIENCE THE WILD BEAUTY OF STRIPED MARKINGS NOW
NAMIBIA’S ZEBRAS
Zebras have some of the most beautiful markings of all animals. While we marvel at them, their beauty has also made them vulnerable to danger. They are poached for use in traditional Chinese medicine and decorative furnishings. They are sold as exotic pets.
Yet, there is hope for zebras happening now in Namibia, as they are focused on sustainable wildlife tourism. This southern African country has been committed to habitat conservation since its independence in 1990. In fact, Namibia was first African nation to write environmental conservation into constitution.
Almost half of Namibia is now protected.
The Kavango - Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area (KAZA) initiative established the world’s largest conservation zone on Namibia’s panhandle, covering 100,000 square-miles.
It protects wildlife corridors shared by Angola, Botswana, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
As we reported in an earlier post, an international team of researchers has recently documented a previously unknown migration of Burchell’s zebra (Equus quagga) that is the longest of all recorded large mammal migrations in Africa.
The researchers used GPS collars on eight adult Burchell’s zebras, tracking their movement over two years as they trekked back and forth between the Chobe River in Namibia and Botswana’s Nxai Pan National Park, a straight-line distance of 250 km (500 km round-trip). The migration takes place entirely within the KAZA.
Check out the details in their paper published in the journal Oryx.
More than 250,000 rural Namibians now benefit from the proceeds generated by wildlife tourism here. And because of this, many poachers have now become protectors.
There are now over 30 conservancy lodges where you can stay on the Caprivi Panhandle and north-central regions.
SETTLER’S DRIFT
Enjoy the pristine beauty of the remote Kariega wilderness at Settlers Drift, a unique 5-star luxury tented safari lodge. Watch the zebras and other wild beauties roam right in front of you from your secluded viewing deck overlooking the Bushman’s River, all while time seems to stand still.
SUSUWE ISLAND LODGE
The remote Susuwe Island Lodge is situated in Namibia's eastern Caprivi. It is a gateway to wildlife spotting along the Kwando River and perennial wetlands. You’ll see plenty of zebras here, along with elephant herds, lion, leopard, hippo, impala, and loads of bird species.
DUNES LODGE -- WOLWEDANS
Dunes Lodge, one of four Wolwedans camps in the NamibRand Nature Reserve, sits 250 meters high atop a dune plateau, overlooking 360° panoramic vistas so you can see the beautiful deserts and the wildlife that passes by right from the comfort of your bed! But don’t be lazy. Leave your rustic 5-star luxury digs here and get out and see the amazing wild world happening all around you.
ONGAVA
Ongava Lodges are tucked away in the middle of a privately owned magnificent 66,000-acre Namibian game reserve. Each luxury lodge, built from local eco-friendly materials, overlooks a natural waterhole where you will always see zebra and other wildlife coming for refreshment. You’ll also enjoy big sky and endless views.
Read more about Beautiful Markings, as they relate to Arts/Design, Nature/Science, Food/Drink, Place/Time, Mind/Body, and Soul/Impact including 10 New Books on Beautiful Markings Now, The Fickle Nature of Nature’s Beautiful Markings Now and 10 Amazing Chefs Making a Beautiful Mark and Old World + New World Markings Are Beautiful Now.
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IMAGE CREDITS:
- Photo: Yathin S Krishnappa. Plains Zebra Walking at Klein Namutoni. Etosha National Park, Namibia.
- Photo: by Dimitry B. Zebra.
- Photo: by William Warby. Dueling Zebras.
- Photo: by Diana Robinson. Zebras running.
- Photo: by Aftab Uzzaman. “If you really want to kiss me…”
- Photo: by Clive Reid. Burchell's Zebra.
- Photo: by Jean-Pierre Schober. Zebras crossing. Namibia.
- Photo: Courtesy of Escape Tours. Settler’s Drift. Namibia.
- Photo: Courtesy of Susuwe Island Lodge. Namibia.
- Photo: Courtesy of Dunes Lodge -- Wolwedans. Namibia.
- Photo: Courtesy of Ongava Lodges. Namibia.
- Photo: by Carrie Cizauskas. Burchells Zebra. Namibia.
- Photo: by Tom Kelly. Zebra at Watering Hole. Okaukuejo, Oshikoto, Namibia.
- Photo: by Claire Dickson. Zebras Zebras Everywhere. Namibia.
