DOCSLIB.ORG

The Development and Evolution of Etosha Pan, Namibia

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text

Load more

The Development and Evolution of Etosha Pan, Namibia Dissertation zur Erlangung des naturwissenschaftlichen Doktorgrades der Bayerischen Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg Vorgelegt von Martin HT Hipondoka Würzburg 2005 To the demise of the Bantu Education System Table of Contents Table of Contents.................................................................................................................. ii List of Figures...................................................................................................................... iii List of Tables.........................................................................................................................iv Acknowledgments..................................................................................................................v Abstract .................................................................................................................................vi Ausführliche Zusammenfassung...................................................................................... vii 1. Introduction ................................................................................................ 1 1.1 Background..........................................................................................................1 1.2 Aims and Objectives of the Study......................................................................1 2. Methods and Techniques ............................................................................. 4 2.1 Remote Sensing (RS) ..........................................................................................5 2.2 Fieldwork .............................................................................................................9 2.3 Laboratory..........................................................................................................11 2.4 Geographical Information System (GIS) .........................................................12 3. Background Setting ..................................................................................................13 3.1 Location of the Study Area ...............................................................................14 3.2 Geology ..............................................................................................................15 3.2.1 Pre-Kalahari Geology ..............................................................................16 3.2.2 Structural, Sedimentary and Geomorphological Development of the Kalahari Basin .........................................................................................19 3.2.3 The Kalahari Sequence of the Owambo Basin ..........................................21 3.3 Drainage Evolution............................................................................................26 3.1.1 The Okavango System .............................................................................27 3.3.1.1 Lake Palaeo-Makgadikgadi .........................................................................29 3.3.1.2 The Makgadikgadi Pans ..............................................................................31 3.3.1.3 The Okavango Swamps ...............................................................................34 3.4 Climate of the Study Area.................................................................................38 3.5 Soils ....................................................................................................................40 3.6 Vegetation..........................................................................................................42 3.7 Land use.............................................................................................................44 4. The Kunene River and the Catchment of Etosha Pan ..................................47 4.1 The Kunene River..............................................................................................48 4.2 The Kunene River and Etosha Pan...................................................................53 4.3 The Cuvelai System...........................................................................................63 4.4 The Rest of the Etosha Drainage System.........................................................69 5. The Etosha Pan..........................................................................................................79 5.1 Etosha Pan..........................................................................................................80 5.2 Etosha Pan as an Erosional Landform..............................................................88 5.3 Etosha Pan as a Desiccated Palaeolake......................................................... 110 6. The Development and Evolution of Etosha Pan................................................ 113 6.1 The Timing of the Upper Kunene River’s Deflection to the Atlantic Ocean............................................................................................................... 114 6.2 Etosha Pan as an Erosional Landform........................................................... 115 6.3 Palaeoclimate of the Study Area Since the Late Quaternary....................... 128 6.4 Conclusions .................................................................................................... 134 References......................................................................................................................... 137 Appendix........................................................................................................................... 151 ii List of Figures Figure 2.1: Illustrative multi-temporal false color composite of Landsat images covering the western part of Etosha Pan ....................................................................................7 Figure 2.2: Error in SRTM Elevation data in part of the Cuvelai System..................................8 Figure 2.3: Propagation of the error into a longitudinal profile.................................................8 Figure 2.4: Sample from the "field-guide" book generated from satellite images for fieldwork purposes................................................................................................10 Figure 2.5: Major study sites in and around Etosha Pan ...........................................................10 Figure 2.6: Major study sites in and around Oshana Olushandja / Etaka...................................11 Figure 3.1: Location of the study area......................................................................................14 Figure 3.2: Geological cross-section across the Owambo Basin from Ruacana to Tsumeb .......17 Figure 3.3: Approximate location of the Great Escarpment of Southern Africa and thickness distribution of the Kalahari Group sediments..........................................20 Figure 3.4: Cross-section of the Kalahari Group Sediments in the Owambo Basin along the 16°41' longitude...............................................................................................22 Figure 3.5: Schematic section through the Kalahari Sequence of the Owambo Basin ...............23 Figure 3.6: Digital Elevation Model of the Owambo Basin surface..........................................25 Figure 3.7: Longitudinal profile of the Cubango/Kavango River and its main tributary, the Cuito ...............................................................................................................28 Figure 3.8: Digital Elevation Model (90 m ground resolution) of the Okavango Graben and Makgadikgadi Basin. ......................................................................................30 Figure 3.9: Satellite Imagery (Landsat TM) covering the Makgadikgadi Basin and Okavango Graben..................................................................................................31 Figure 3.10: Wind rose at Okaukuejo from 1982 to1990............................................................40 Figure 3.11: The vegetation structure of the Etosha National Park as derived from the classification of a Landsat TM image ....................................................................43 Figure 3.12: ‘Land use’ of Etosha Pan at different environmental conditions.............................46 Figure 4.1: Longitudinal profile of the Kunene River...............................................................49 Figure 4.2: Longitudinal profile of Oshana Etaka/Olushandja from the Kunene River to Etosha Pan. .......................................................................................................54 Figure 4.3: Spatial setting of oshana Olushandja and Kunene River from a Landsat TM perspective .....................................................................................................55 Figure 4.4: Generalized geomorphological map of Ruacana area .............................................56 Figure 4.5: Selectively stretched DEM of Calueque area. ........................................................57 Figure 4.6: Landsat Imagery covering Olushandja Reservoir and Kunene River environs. .......59 Figure 4.7: Longitudinal profile of Oshana Olushandja/Etaka showing the critical point. .........59 Figure 4.8: Cross-section through major geomorphological units around Ruacana area............60 Figure 4.9: Photo showing the southern flank of the gravel pit, and corresponding profile at K2 .....................................................................................................................61 Figure
Recommended publications
  • Transactions of the Royal Society of South Africa The

    Transactions of the Royal Society of South Africa The

    This article was downloaded by: On: 12 May 2010 Access details: Access Details: Free Access Publisher Taylor & Francis Informa Ltd Registered in England and Wales Registered Number: 1072954 Registered office: Mortimer House, 37- 41 Mortimer Street, London W1T 3JH, UK Transactions of the Royal Society of South Africa Publication details, including instructions for authors and subscription information: http://www.informaworld.com/smpp/title~content=t917447442 The geomorphic provinces of South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland: A physiographic subdivision for earth and environmental scientists T. C. Partridge a; E. S. J. Dollar b; J. Moolman c;L. H. Dollar b a Climatology Research Group, University of the Witwatersrand, WITS, South Africa b CSIR, Natural Resources and Environment, Stellenbosch, South Africa c Directorate: Resource Quality Services, Department of Water Affairs and Forestry, Pretoria, South Africa Online publication date: 23 March 2010 To cite this Article Partridge, T. C. , Dollar, E. S. J. , Moolman, J. andDollar, L. H.(2010) 'The geomorphic provinces of South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland: A physiographic subdivision for earth and environmental scientists', Transactions of the Royal Society of South Africa, 65: 1, 1 — 47 To link to this Article: DOI: 10.1080/00359191003652033 URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00359191003652033 PLEASE SCROLL DOWN FOR ARTICLE Full terms and conditions of use: http://www.informaworld.com/terms-and-conditions-of-access.pdf This article may be used for research, teaching and private study purposes. Any substantial or systematic reproduction, re-distribution, re-selling, loan or sub-licensing, systematic supply or distribution in any form to anyone is expressly forbidden. The publisher does not give any warranty express or implied or make any representation that the contents will be complete or accurate or up to date.
  • Instituto Da Cooperação Portuguesa (Portugal)

    Instituto Da Cooperação Portuguesa (Portugal)

    Instituto da Cooperação Portuguesa (Portugal) Ministério da Energia e Águas de Angola SOUTHERN AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY PLAN FOR THE INTEGRATED UTILIZATION OF THE WATER RESOURCES OF THE HYDROGRAPHIC BASIN OF THE CUNENE RIVER SYNTHESIS LNEC – Laboratório Nacional de Engenharia Civil Page 1/214 LNEC – Proc.605/1/11926 MINISTÉRIO DO EQUIPAMENTO SOCIAL Laboratório Nacional de Engenharia Civil DEPARTMENT OF HYDRAULICS Section for Structural Hydraulics Proc.605/1/11926 PLAN FOR THE INTEGRATED UTILIZATION OF THE WATER RESOURCES OF THE HYDROGRAPHIC BASIN OF THE CUNENE RIVER Report 202/01 – NHE Lisbon, July 2001 A study commissioned by the Portuguese Institute for Cooperation I&D HYDRAULICS Page 2/214 LNEC – Proc.605/1/11926 PLAN FOR THE INTEGRATED UTILIZATION OF THE WATER RESOURCES OF THE HYDROGRAPHIC BASIN OF THE CUNENE RIVER SYNTHESIS Page 3/214 LNEC – Proc.605/1/11926 PLAN FOR THE INTEGRATED UTILIZATION OF THE WATER RESOURCES OF THE HYDROGRAPHIC BASIN OF THE CUNENE RIVER INTRODUCTORY NOTE This report synthesizes a number of documents that have been elaborated for the Portuguese Institute for Cooperation. The main objective of the work was to establish a Plan for the Integrated Utilization of the Water Resources of the Hydrographic Basin of the Cunene River. As the elaboration of this Plan is a multi-disciplinary task, it was deemed preferable to grant independence of reporting on the work of each team that contributed to the final objective. That is why each report consists of a compilation of volumes. REPORT I VOLUME 1 – SYNTHESIS (discarded)
  • Angolan Giraffe (Giraffa Camelopardalis Ssp

    Angolan Giraffe (Giraffa Camelopardalis Ssp

    Angolan Giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis ssp. angolensis) Appendix 1: Historical and recent geographic range and population of Angolan Giraffe G. c. angolensis Geographic Range ANGOLA Historical range in Angola Giraffe formerly occurred in the mopane and acacia savannas of southern Angola (East 1999). According to Crawford-Cabral and Verissimo (2005), the historic distribution of the species presented a discontinuous range with two, reputedly separated, populations. The western-most population extended from the upper course of the Curoca River through Otchinjau to the banks of the Kunene (synonymous Cunene) River, and through Cuamato and the Mupa area further north (Crawford-Cabral and Verissimo 2005, Dagg 1962). The intention of protecting this western population of G. c. angolensis, led to the proclamation of Mupa National Park (Crawford-Cabral and Verissimo 2005, P. Vaz Pinto pers. comm.). The eastern population occurred between the Cuito and Cuando Rivers, with larger numbers of records from the southeast corner of the former Mucusso Game Reserve (Crawford-Cabral and Verissimo 2005, Dagg 1962). By the late 1990s Giraffe were assumed to be extinct in Angola (East 1999). According to Kuedikuenda and Xavier (2009), a small population of Angolan Giraffe may still occur in Mupa National Park; however, no census data exist to substantiate this claim. As the Park was ravaged by poachers and refugees, it was generally accepted that Giraffe were locally extinct until recent re-introductions into southern Angola from Namibia (Kissama Foundation 2015, East 1999, P. Vaz Pinto pers. comm.). BOTSWANA Current range in Botswana Recent genetic analyses have revealed that the population of Giraffe in the Central Kalahari and Khutse Game Reserves in central Botswana is from the subspecies G.
  • Okavango River Basin Groundwater Overview

    Okavango River Basin Groundwater Overview

    Okavango River Basin Groundwater Overview Specialist Report prepared by Interconsult Namibia for : PERMANENT OKAVANGO RIVER BASIN COMMISSION Angola Botswana Namibia Ministério da Energia e Águas Ministry of Mineral Resources and Water Affairs Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Rural Development GABHIC Department of Water Affairs Department of Water Affairs Cx. P. 6695 Private Bag 0029 Private Bag 13193 LUANDA GABORONE WINDHOEK Tel: +244 2 393 681 Tel: +267 360 7100 Tel: +264 61 296 9111 Fax: +244 2 393 687 Fax: +267 303508 Fax: +264 61 232 861 PERMANENT OKAVANGO RIVER BASIN COMMISSION (OKACOM) OKAVANGO RIVER BASIN PREPARATORY ASSESSMENT: GROUNDWATER OVERVIEW Report prepared by: Interconsult Namibia (Pty) Ltd P. O. Box 20690 Windhoek With input from Wellfield Consulting Services, and E. Bereslawski March 1999 TABLE OF CONTENTS 1 INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................... 1 1.1. BACKGROUND.............................................................................................................. 1 1.2. TERMS OF REFERENCE ................................................................................................ 1 2 OVERVIEW OF THE GEOHYDROLOGY OF THE BASIN .............................................. 2 2.1 BASIN GEOLOGY.............................................................................................................. 2 2.2 GEOHYDROLOGY OVERVIEW ...........................................................................................
  • Mineralised Pegmatites of the Damara Belt, Namibia: Fluid Inclusion and Geochemical Characteristics with Implications for Post- Collisional Mineralisation

    Mineralised Pegmatites of the Damara Belt, Namibia: Fluid Inclusion and Geochemical Characteristics with Implications for Post- Collisional Mineralisation

    Mineralised Pegmatites of the Damara Belt, Namibia: Fluid inclusion and geochemical characteristics with implications for post- collisional mineralisation Luisa Ashworth A dissertation submitted to the Fa culty of Science, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. Johannesburg, 2014 DECLARATION I declare that this thesis is my own, unaided work. It is being submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy at the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg. It has not been submitted before for any degree or examination in any other university. _______________________ Luisa Ashworth 20 of March 2014 i ABSTRACT Namibia is renowned for its abundant mineral resources, a large proportion of which are hosted in the metasedimentary lithologies of the Damara Belt, the northeast-trending inland branch of the Neoproterozoic Pan-African Damara Orogen. Deposit types include late- to post-tectonic (~ 523 – 506 Ma) LCT (Li-Be, Sn-, and miarolitic gem-tourmaline- bearing) pegmatites, and uraniferous pegmatitic sheeted leucogranites (SLGs), which have an NYF affinity. Fluid inclusion studies reveal that although mineralization differs between the different types of pegmatites located at different geographic locations, and by extension, different stratigraphic levels, the fluid inclusion assemblages present in these pegmatites are similar; thus different types of pegmatites are indistinguishable from each other based on their fluid inclusion assemblages. Thorough fluid inclusion petrography indicated that although fluid inclusions are abundant in the pegmatites, no primary fluid inclusions could be identified, and rather those studied are pseudosecondary and secondary. Fluid inclusions are aqueo-carbonic (± NaCl), carbonic, and aqueous. It is proposed that all of the pegmatites studied share a similar late-stage evolution, with fluids becoming less carbonic and less saline with the progression of crystallisation.
  • Geology of the Kranzberg Syncline and Emplacement Controls of the Usakos Pegmatite Field, Damara Belt, Central Namibia

    Geology of the Kranzberg Syncline and Emplacement Controls of the Usakos Pegmatite Field, Damara Belt, Central Namibia

    GEOLOGY OF THE KRANZBERG SYNCLINE AND EMPLACEMENT CONTROLS OF THE USAKOS PEGMATITE FIELD, DAMARA BELT, CENTRAL NAMIBIA by Geoffrey J. Owen Thesis presented in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree Master of Science at the University of Stellenbosch Supervisor: Prof. Alex Kisters Faculty of Science Department of Earth Sciences March 2011 i DECLARATION By submitting this thesis electronically, I declare that the entirety of the work contained therein is my own, original work, that I am the sole author thereof (save to the extent explicitely otherwise stated), that reproduction and publication thereof by Stellenbosch University will not infringe any third party rights and that I have not previously in its entirety or in part submitted it for obtaining any qualification. Signature: Date: 15. February 2011 ii ABSTRACT The Central Zone (CZ) of the Damara belt in central Namibia is underlain by voluminous Pan-African granites and is host to numerous pegmatite occurrences, some of which have economic importance and have been mined extensively. This study discusses the occurrence, geometry, relative timing and emplacement mechanisms for the Usakos pegmatite field, located between the towns of Karibib and Usakos and within the core of the regional-scale Kranzberg syncline. Lithological mapping of the Kuiseb Formation in the core of the Kranzberg syncline identified four litho-units that form an up to 800 m thick succession of metaturbidites describing an overall coarsening upward trend. This coarsening upwards trend suggests sedimentation of the formation’s upper parts may have occurred during crustal convergence and basin closure between the Kalahari and Congo Cratons, rather than during continued spreading as previously thought.
  • Chapter 2 Transboundary Environmental Issues

    Chapter 2 Transboundary Environmental Issues

    The Eyeof Mauritania Also known as the Richat Structure, this prominent geographic feature through time, has been eroded by wind and windblown sand. At 50 in Mauritania’s Sahara Desert was fi rst thought to be the result of a km wide, the Richat Structure can be seen from space by astronauts meteorite impact because of its circular, crater-like pattern. However, because it stands out so dramatically in the otherwise barren expanse Mauritania’s “Eye” is actually a dome of layered sedimentary rock that, of desert. Source: NASA Source: 37 ey/Flickr.com A man singing by himself on the Jemaa Fna Square, Morocco Charles Roff 38 Chapter2 Transboundary Environmental Issues " " Algiers Tunis TUNISIA " Rabat " Tripoli MOROCCO " Cairo ALGERIA LIBYAN ARAB JAMAHIRIYA EGYPT WESTERN SAHARA MAURITANIA " Nouakchott CAPE VERDE MALI NIGER CHAD Khartoum " ERITREA " " Dakar Asmara Praia " SENEGAL Banjul Niamey SUDAN GAMBIA " " Bamako " Ouagadougou " Ndjamena " " Bissau DJIBOUTI BURKINA FASO " Djibouti GUINEA Conakry NIGERIA GUINEA-BISSAU " ETHIOPIA " " Freetown " Abuja Addis Ababa COTE D’IVORE BENIN LIBERIA TOGO GHANA " " CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC SIERRA LEONE " Yamoussoukro " IA Accra Porto Novo L Monrovia " Lome A CAMEROON OM Bangui" S Malabo Yaounde " " EQUATORIAL GUINEA Mogadishu " UGANDA SAO TOME Kampala AND PRINCIPE " " Libreville " KENYA Sao Tome Nairobi GABON " Kigali CONGO " DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC RWANDA OF THE CONGO " Bujumbura Brazzaville BURUNDI "" Kinshasa UNITED REPUBLIC OF TANZANIA " Dodoma SEYCHELLES " Luanda Moroni " COMOROS Across Country Borders ANGOLA Lilongwe " MALAWI ZAMBIA Politically, the African continent is divided into 53 countries " Lusaka UE BIQ and one “non-self-governing territory.” Ecologically, Harare M " A Z O M Antananarivo" Port Louis Africa is home to eight major biomes— large and distinct ZIMBABWE " biotic communities— whose characteristic assemblages MAURITIUS Windhoek " BOTSWANA MADAGASCAR of fl ora and fauna are in many cases transboundary in NAMIBIA Gaborone " Maputo nature, in that they cross political borders.
  • So You Have Always Wanted To… Walk in the Footsteps of Elephants and Bushmen

    So You Have Always Wanted To… Walk in the Footsteps of Elephants and Bushmen

    So you have always wanted to… Walk in the footsteps of Elephants and Bushmen Selinda Explorers Camp, Selinda Reserve Day 3-5 Day 1-3 Duba Explorers Camp, Okavango Delta MOREMI GAME RESERVE BOTSWANA Maun Day 5-7 Jack’s Camp, Makgadikgadi Pans National Park SUGGESTED ITINERARY OVERVIEW ACCOMModation Destination NIGHTS BASIS ROOM TYPE Duba Explorers Camp Okavango Delta, Botswana 2 FB Tent Selinda Explorers Camp Selinda Reserve, Botswana 2 FB Tent Makgadikgadi Pans National Park, Jack’s Camp 2 FB Room Botswana DAYS 1 - 3 Duba Explorers, The Okavango Delta THE OKAVANGO DELTA Lying in the middle of the largest expanse of sand on earth the Okavango Delta is one of Africa’s most amazing, sensitive and complex environments. Unique as the largest of the world’s few inland deltas, the placid waters and lush indigenous forests offer a safe haven for innumerable bird and wildlife species. The renowned Duba Explorers Camp sits in the heart of classic Okavango Delta habitat. A matrix of palm-dotted islands, flood plains and woodland, the 77,000 hectare private concession typifies the region’s unique landscape. Many consider Duba Plains to be the Okavango’s Maasai Mara because of the sheer volume of wildlife. Duba Plains prides itself on its extraordinary wildlife experiences with reliable sightings of lion, buffalo, red lechwe, blue wildebeest, greater kudu and tsessebe. Elephant and hippo trudge through the swamps and leopard, and some nocturnal species, can be sighted as well. Birds abound, and the area is a birdwatcher’s paradise. Okavango ‘specials’ include the rare wattled crane, Pel’s Fishing owl, white-backed night heron and marsh owl.
  • Okavango Delta - 2020 Conservation Outlook Assessment

    Okavango Delta - 2020 Conservation Outlook Assessment

    IUCN World Heritage Outlook: https://worldheritageoutlook.iucn.org/ Okavango Delta - 2020 Conservation Outlook Assessment Okavango Delta 2020 Conservation Outlook Assessment SITE INFORMATION Country: Botswana Inscribed in: 2014 Criteria: (vii) (ix) (x) This delta in north-west Botswana comprises permanent marshlands and seasonally flooded plains. It is one of the very few major interior delta systems that do not flow into a sea or ocean, with a wetland system that is almost intact. One of the unique characteristics of the site is that the annual flooding from the River Okavango occurs during the dry season, with the result that the native plants and animals have synchronized their biological cycles with these seasonal rains and floods. It is an exceptional example of the interaction between climatic, hydrological and biological processes. The Okavango Delta is home to some of the world’s most endangered species of large mammal, such as the cheetah, white rhinoceros, black rhinoceros, African wild dog and lion. © UNESCO SUMMARY 2020 Conservation Outlook Finalised on 01 Dec 2020 GOOD WITH SOME CONCERNS The nature of the Okavango Delta – a vast inaccessible wetland on the fringes of a sparsely populated desert – gives it a high degree of natural protection. The values of the site remain in good condition overall, largely due to the sites large size and inaccessibility, allowing the site to maintain its largely unaltered, pristine condition through low human impact. Threats to the site are generally of low concern but for a few issues which remain challenging to address. Whilst tourism has some negative impacts, there are very few roads and the industry is built around a high-cost low-volume business model with small lodge facilities accessed by private charter aircraft.
  • PHOTO SAFARI with MARINA CANO & MIKE FISHER

    PHOTO SAFARI with MARINA CANO & MIKE FISHER

    Wildlife and landscape meeting in one of the most beautiful places on Earth PHOTO SAFARI with MARINA CANO & MIKE FISHER Date Hotel Basis 01-08-2018 - 02-08-2018 Windhoek / Avani Windhoek ( Kalahari Sands) DBB On arrival at the Windhoek Airport you will be met by a driver and transferred to Windhoek. Remainder of the day at leisure to acclimatize. Avani Windhoek ( Kalahari Sands), Classic Rooms, Incl DBB Including Airport Transfers www.safarihotelsnamibia.com Set on the borders of the fascinating Namibian wilderness and the outskirts of Namibia's vibrant capital city Windhoek, is the sparkling 4-star Safari Court Hotel and Conference Centre. It is in a Windhoek residential district, and is perfectly situated next to the Eros (domestic) Airport. (This hotel should not be confused with the 3-star Hotel Safari, although they are on the same site and share the same entrance way and some facilities.) There is a free hourly shuttle service into the Central Business District (CBD) and Maerua Mall, and there is a courtesy shuttle between the hotel and the main airport, run by a local company recommended by the hotel. It's convenient location for shopping, banking and medical facilities, makes it an ideal destination for tourists and business people alike, whether at the beginning or end of a safari or conference. Facilities at Safari Court include babysitting and child care, laundry/dry cleaning service, wireless Internet access, photocopy/fax and other administrative services, common access for wheelchairs, a well-lit parking area, complementary tea/coffee, a gift shop, laundry room and a safe at reception for valuables.
  • PHOTO SAFARI with MARINA CANO & MIKE FISHER

    PHOTO SAFARI with MARINA CANO & MIKE FISHER

    PHOTO SAFARI with MARINA CANO & MIKE FISHER Namibia 3-13 April 2016 Included: Accommodation as per itinerary, and transport. Excluded: Meals and activities not specified in the itinerary, drinks, travel insurance, flights to / from Windhoek, staff gratuities (at your discretion). Summary 03 Apr 2016 - 04 Apr 2016 Arrival into Windhoek and transfer to your hotel Accommodation: Kalahari Sands Hotel (Dinner, bed and breakfast) 04 Apr 2016 - 05 Apr 2016 Transfer to Walvis Bay in 2 x Land Cruisers Afternoon photography of flamingoes Accommodation: Oyster Box Guesthouse, Walvis Bay (Lunch, bed and breakfast) 05 Apr 2016 - 07 Apr 2016 Morning kayaking excursion / depart for Erindi Lunch and afternoon game drive Accommodation: Erindi Private Game Reserve in Luxury Rooms (Full Board including all meals and lodge activities) 07 Apr 2016 - 09 Apr 2016 Depart for the Etosha National Park Accommodation: Okaukuejo Camp in Waterhole Chalets (Full Board including all meals and game drives with your guides) 09 Apr 2016 - 10 Apr 2016 Transfer to Dolomite Camp Accommodation: Dolomite Camp in Bush Chalets (Full Board including all meals and game drives with your guides) 10 Apr 2016 - 12 Apr 2016 Transfer to Halali Accommodation: Halali Resort in Double Rooms (Full Board including all meals and game drives with your guides) 12 Apr 2016 - 13 Apr 2016 Check out and drive back to Windhoek / overnight Accommodation: Kalahari Sands Hotel (Dinner, bed and breakfast) 13 Apr 2016 Transfer to the airport Page 2 DAY 1 (03 APRIL 2016) Arrival into Windhoek. You’ll be met on arrival and transferred to your hotel, about 45 mins away.
  • Mega Kalahari Geology: Challenges of Kimberlite Exploration in This Medium

    Mega Kalahari Geology: Challenges of Kimberlite Exploration in This Medium

    MEGA KALAHARI GEOLOGY: CHALLENGES OF KIMBERLITE EXPLORATION IN THIS MEDIUM Clint Williams1, Brett van Coller1, Tom Nowicki2 and John Gurney1 1 Mineral Services South Africa Pty Ltd, Cape Town.; 2 Mineral Services Canada Inc, Vancouver. obstacles and challenges to the kimberlite explorationist INTRODUCTION attempting to locate bedrock-hosted diamondiferous kimberlite bodies. The paper presents the complexities of this cover sequence, with a view to formulating In southern Africa the name Kalahari refers to a improved kimberlite exploration strategies in this structural basin, a group of terrestrial continental environment. sediments and an ill-defined desert, all of which are intimately linked yet also possess distinct characteristics. The surface units of the Kalahari Group CHARACTERISTICS cover represent the worlds largest body of sand covering over 2.5 million km² of central and southern The Mega Kalahari sediments represent an ancient Africa from the Orange River at 29°S to 1°N in the depositional environment with a complex history in western Congo and southern Gabon (Thomas, which the stratigraphy and age of the deposits are not 1988),(Figure 1). Thomas and Shaw (1990) grouped all particularly well constrained or understood. Low fossil these sediments together under the term Mega Kalahari. content, limited exposure, poor differentiation of the This term has been adopted for the review. dominant surficial Kalahari Sand and a limited comprehension of an extensive duricrust suite has delayed the understanding of the sedimentological and environmental history of the basin. Collectively the sediments are referred to as the Kalahari Group (SACS, 1980). SACS (1980) distinguished 6 major lithological types in the Kalahari Group: conglomerate and gravel, marl, sandstone, alluvium and lacustrine deposits, Kalahari Sand, and duricrusts (mainly calcrete and silcrete).