Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
ARNHEM CAVE
With a subterranean length of 4.5km, Arnhem Cave is the longest cave system in Nami-
bia. Formed in a layer of limestone and dolomite, Arnhem was sandwiched between folds
of stratified quartzite and shale, and discovered in 1930 by farmer DN Bekker. Shortly
thereafter, mining operations began extracting the deposits of lucrative bat guano, which
were commonly used at the time as fertiliser.
Guided tours
(1/2hr tours N$80/100)
dive into darkness, beyond the reach of sunlight.
Because it's dry, there are few stalagmites or stalactites, but it's possible you could see up
to six bat species: the giant leaf-nosed bat, the leaf-nosed bat, the long-fingered bat, Geof-
froy's horseshoe bat, Denti's horseshoe bat and the Egyptian slit-faced bat. It's also inhab-
ited by a variety of insects, worms, shrews and prawns. The grand finale is the indescrib-
able first view of the blue-cast natural light as you emerge from the depths.
Arnhem Cave & Lodge
( 581885;
www.arnhemcave.com
;
campsite per person
N$90, chalets per person from N$470)
lies within an hour's walk of Arnhem Cave, and is
located on the same farm. Day visitors can arrange guided tours here, while overnight vis-
itors are treated to a bucolic retreat lying just beyond the lights of the capital.
To get to the guesthouse, turn south 3km east of Chief Hosea Kutako International Air-
port on the D1458. After 66km, turn northeast on the D1506 and continue for 11km to the
T-junction, where you turn south on the D180. The guesthouse is 6km down this road.
REHOBOTH
If you're looking to rehabilitate your travel-worn body and mind, a surprisingly relaxing retreat is the
Lake Oan-
ob Resort
( 062-522370;
www.oanob.com.na
; campsites N$70-130, s/d N$780/1030, 6-bed chalets N$2420;
)
, located alongside the Oanob Dam, just west of Rehoboth. The resort is centred on a stunningly calm and
tranquil blue lake. Amenities include a shaded camping area, a thatched bar and restaurant, and beautiful stone
self-catering bungalows on the lake's shores. Rehoboth lies 85km south of Windhoek and just a stone's throw
north of the Tropic of Capricorn.
The
town museum
( 062-522954;
www.rehobothmuseum.com
; admission N$25; by appointment)
,
housed in the 1903 residence of the settlement's first colonial postmaster, recounts the historical roots of Reho-
both from 1844.
Intercape Mainliner (
Click here
) buses running from Windhoek to Keetmanshoop pass through Reheboth
(from N$230, one hour, four weekly).
