Absalom Shigwedha
11 September 2008
Okoshi Camp, the first accommodation facility to be built in the Etosha National Park since Independence, was officially opened on Monday.
The luxury camp was built in an eco-friendly way, using natural materials.
"This is tourism through conservation," Namibia Wildlife Resorts (NWR) Managing Director Tobie Aupindi said at the opening.
He said NWR wants to develop sustainable tourism facilities by making sure that their surrounding environment is preserved.
Onkoshi Camp sits on a wooden deck overlooking the Etosha Pan, and uses mainly solar power.
"The generator is just a back-up," Aupindi said.
Water for cooking and drinking is brought in, as water from the nearby boreholes is saline and is only used for bathing.
Aupindi said the camp created 50 fulltime jobs, while 400 people were employed in the construction project.
The construction cost N$20 million and was completed in a record time of four months.
At the opening, Environment and Tourism Minister Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah said new tourism facilities such as Onkoshi not only create new jobs but also boost the local and national economy through the purchase of goods and services.
"Furthermore, tourism creates significant opportunities to benefit local and marginalised communities, through provision of local crafts, agricultural products, services such as laundry or cultural tourism," she said.
Nandi-Ndaitwah said the camp allows visitors to experience the tranquillity and splendour of the Etosha Pan and its wildlife treasures.
Onkoshi Camp is located in an isolated area on the edge of the Etosha Pan.
Visitors are not allowed to drive there - the NWR transports them from the Namutoni resort to the camp.
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