December 2007
Namibia Tracks and Trails (ex-Palmwag Travel Shop) launched their new name, logo and brochure at WTM 2007. The reason for the name change was to place greater emphasis on the full ground handling services offered by Namibia Tracks and Trails. Monica and Jockel Gruttemeyer lead a dedicated team who have a huge amount of experience in itinerary planning and field operations. This is a family run business with a great tradition of going the extra service mile and creating safaris that venture a little bit further off the beaten track. The reservations for Palmwag Lodge are still handled by the Swakopmund office as before. The link above will provide you with the new e-mail contact details, address and tel numbers remain the same. For the next few months, the regular palmwag.com.na e-mail addresses will still function, then switch to @namibia-tracks-and-trails.com
2008 will see some important changes take place on the mobile safari side of things. The exclusive relationship with Kunene Tours and Safaris as sub-contractor has ended this month. Due to the popularity of these safaris and the increased frequency with which they run, all operations will be managed in-house by Namibia Tracks and Trails, using their own highly experienced guides, equipment and vehicle fleet. This will ensure that the very highest standards for which they are known can be maintained throughout the busy peak season. Much of the fleet has been upgraded for 2008 including 4 brand new landrovers and camping equipment. Please contact me if you would like more details on mobile safari options and what Namibia Tracks and Trails can offer your business.
September 2007
Jockel Gruttemeyer of Palmwag Travel Shop sent this unusual photo taken earlier this year in Walvis Bay. Of all the marine life encountered in the bay during boating and kayaking tours, it is rare to see Hump Backs far inside the Harbour. More common sightings are Cape Fur Seals, Bottlenosed and Heavisides Dolphins, Sun Fish and sometimes turtles. To book your kayaking trip or any other activities during a Swakopmund stay contact Palmwag Travel Shop
July 2007
Game viewing at Palmwag Lodge has been excellent over the last couple of weeks with weekly sightings of cheetah and leopard. The concession lions are regularly spotted during activities including short morning and afternoon drives. The elephants are back for the winter and have been feeding in the lodge perimeters.
General plains game is teeming in the Aub and Barab areas thanks to the concentrated rain that fell here. The Palmwag concession is rewarding visitors with a wildlife experience not unlike Etosha at the moment and is certainly proving more productive than the regions further north west which do not support such concentrations of game.
Day excursions from/to Palmwag Lodge
There are plenty of activities to suit all lengths of stay. They all depart from Palmwag Lodge, ranging from short guided walks to multi-day camping trips within the Concession area.
Please note:
All tours must be booked prior to arrival at the lodge and are subject to availability of vehicles.
PW 001 HOANIB EXCURSION
PW 002 DAMARALAND WILDLIFE EXCURSION
PW003 OVAHIMBA EXCURSION
PW 004 DAILY GUIDED WALKS
PTS 04 ON THE TRACKS OF DESERT ELEPHANTS AND BLACK RHINO
NOTE: If guests rent their vehicles through PTS, only 30% of the day's rental cost will be charged while they participate in this trip. (Applies to 4 x 4 Toyota, Nissan Navara double cabs and 4 x 4 Mitsubishi Pajero 5 seaters only)
Contact us for more detail on any of the above. Click here about a recent camping trip in the area.
January 2007
The game viewing has been quite exceptional in the Palmwag concession throughout January. During a 2 day visit last week, one of Palmwag’s mobile guides with a single guest spotted 24 desert elephant, 3 black rhino, 4 cheetah, 6 lions and 1 leopard. If you have guests serious about wildlife photography and serious about avoiding crowds, this 5000km˛ wilderness is for them.