/Ai-/Ais resort closes due to rain damage

By Confidente reporter

THE Namibia Wildlife Resorts Limited (NWR) has announced that the /Ai-/Ais Hotsprings and Spa will temporary be closed due to heavy rains and floods in the area.

NWR in a statement on Tuesday said the flash floods resulted in the rivers along the resort to overflow, causing extensive damage to the resort and campsites which led for closure from 11 January until the end of March.

Robert Hailume, /Ai-/Ais Hotsprings and Spa acting resort manager confirmed the damage in the statement saying that the rain was heavy and had caused extensive damage to the resort.

“Though the resort experienced severe damage, I am grateful that all our clients that were camping that evening were successfully evacuated and are safe.

 In light of the damage to the resort and campsites, NWR had no other option but to temporarily close the resort to visitors for the next three months,” he said.

Matthias Ngwangwama, NWR Managing Director further stated that, although the resort and campsite will temporary be closed, they will soon commence with the repair work to ensure that they begin to operate as soon as possible.

 /Ai-/Ais which literally means fire or burning water in Namibia’s Khoekhoegowab language, is situated in Southern Namibia’s //Karas Region at the base of the Great Karas Mountains, about 128 kilometres west of Karasburg and 224 kilometres South-West of Keetmanshoop.

The /Ai-/Ais Hotsprings and Spa is located in the /Ai-/Ais Richtersveld Transfrontier Park, near Fish River Canyon, the second largest canyon in the world and the main attraction in Southern Namibia. The Fish River Canyon Hiking Trail is ranked as one of the best hiking trails in Southern Africa.

/Ai-/Ais Hotsprings Spa Accommodation includes seven bush chalets, 16 river-view double rooms, 20  mountain-view double rooms and camping sites.