327 | Wolwedans - star of the Namib Desert

WELFARE, CONSERVATION & TOURISM

Stephan Brückner: "Mr. Wolwedans"

Wolwedans Collection, one of the world's best ecolodges, has been recognised by BirdsConTour with a top rated three penguin Welfare, Conservation & Tourism Support 2015 Award.

Balancing people:

Ensuring a very light environmental footprint:

Caring for guest and nature alike:

Wolwedans Collection, a Global Ecosphere Retreat® certified LongRun Destination, embodies the spirit of responsible and sustainable tourism. Social and cultural aspects are highlighted and the staff take pride in the environment and natural resources of the surrounding Namibrand Nature Reserve, a vast privately owned reserve covering 200 000 hectares and bordering the Namib-Naukluft Park, situated near Sossusvlei in southwestern Namibia.

326 | Thank you - I am pleased, honored and humbled

TOURISM

Photo by Birgit Leicher

What a way to recognize my contributions and a hard year's work with the Chamäleon Reisen Tour Guide Award 2014, thank you so much!

With so many of you having contributed to me qualifying for this honor, I thank you all for this recognition.

My parents Heidi & Argo Rust

First and foremost, I would like to thank my parents for unconsciously paving my way while being a child for my career as a future tour guide. As a tour guide being an ambassador for not only Namibia but for Africa in general and being out there in Africa's wilderness is a dream come true.

Prize in 2012

For being rewarded the second time, first in 2012, with the Chamäleon Reisen Tour Guide Award for 2014 is a great honor and a privilege, so thank you Chamäleon Reisen.

Small part of the Pack Safari fleet

I would like to thank both well organized and truly outstanding tour companies, Chamäleon Reisen and Pack Safari, whose leaderships, visions and well maintained vehicles steered me while being on tour in Africa throughout the year. And to the amazing staff. It was and still is a pleasure coming to your offices (new ones at Pack Safari) and dealing with such lovely and engaging people. I appreciate the opportunity to work with these organizations where people care about quality and commitment.

To my fellow colleagues, I really thought it was going to be one of you, I feel certain many of you also qualify for this honor; nonetheless, I am thrilled.

Last and definitely not least, to my daughter Leni, thank you for being so outstanding brave! Dad always carries you in his heart, no matter where I am.

To Birgit Leicher, my appreciated partner, my lovely motivator and biggest supporter with my business BirdsConTour, our love is what propelled me through the year. I love you!

For all my guests from all over the world and clients in whatever way, you all know who you are, I am truly grateful for your contribution to this great and unexpected honor.

Thank you - I am pleased, honored and humbled.

Yours sincerely 

Stefan Rust

(BirdsConTour proprietor and freelance tour guide)

321 | Seidarap Guest House - responsible and sustainable tourism

WELFARE, CONSERVATION AND TOURISM 

Ideally located on route to the Etosha National Park, Waterberg Plateau Park and Caprivi/Zambezi Strip, the Seidarap Guest House serves as a very good overnight possibility.

Responsible and sustainable energy supply

Staying at Seidarap means helping others because Seidarap offers job opportunities for trainees.

The best reason to stay at the Seidarap Guest House is that you are also directly supporting the bird life. 

The Lukaschik family sustains a huge bird-friendly garden and keep an eye on future projects, hopefully guests can soon visit a vulture restaurant on the Seidarap premises.

For their responsible and sustainable tourism activities, Sylvia & Stephan Lukaschik received a top score three penguin-rated Welfare, Conservation & Tourism Support 2015 Award from BirdsConTour.

320 | An angel in human form - Gisela Tjitemisa

WELFARE AND TOURISM 

Gisela Tjitemisa, an angel in human form, founded in 2005 in Kalkfeld (Namibia), a small village 70 kilometers from Otjiwarongo away, a home for children who are in need of help.

Ngatuve Vatere, the apt naming in the Herero language means as much as 'place for a safe home for children'.

BirdsConTour supports this project and honored the dedicated team at Gisela Tjitemisa for its full social and tourism effort with a two penguin-rated Welfare & Tourism Support 2015 Award.

319 | Become part of the Glöditsch family on Gelukspoort Guest Farm

CONSERVATION AND TOURISM 

The Guest Farm, situated in the Fransfontein Mountains, offers friendly hospitality, great cooking and personal service with a family touch.

Guests are especially fond of the game drives, and a great deal of effort is put into supporting wildlife.

These efforts earns Gelukspoort Guest Farm the two penguin-rated Conservation & Tourism Support 2015 Award presented by BirdsConTour.