Gobabeb celebrates 50 years

THE Gobabeb Research and Training Centre is celebrating its fiftieth anniversary this year.

Although the ‘celebrations’ continue throughout the year, the climax will be at this year’s Gobabeb Open Day on Saturday, September 22.
The programme will include the launch of the Gobabeb first-day cover and stamps by Nampost; a ‘Gobabeb 50’ and a 25 km cross-country bicycle race;  video-shows of Gobabeb by a variety of photographers ranging back to 1976 including the BBC and National Geographic; and a volleyball tournament.
An evaluation team of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), accompanied by the Namibian Heritage Council, will also be at Gobabeb from September 21 to 22, reviewing the nomination of the ‘Namib Sand Sea’ as a World Heritage Site.
Other activities will include displays of live organisms from the different biomes around Gobabeb; a Solar Coffee Shop; ‘Nama-stap’ demonstrations and lessons; a scavenger hunt; nature walks and a guided cultural walk. There will also be a demonstration of !nara harvesting and station tours that will include the latest publications in the library and the latest energy solutions including the expanded solar projects.
Participants are welcome to arrive on the afternoon of Friday, September 21, and stay until the Sunday.
For campers, ablution and kitchen facilities of the Kuiseb Camp, with some additional portable toilets and showers, will be available. A fire will be provided for a braai on Friday-night. For accommodation, most of the participants will have to bring their own tents and bedding as accommodation is very limited and Gobabeb tents are also limited.
For a fixed price of N$250 for adults, and children with adult-type appetites, lunch and supper will be provided on the Saturday and breakfast on Sunday. For other meals, people must bring their own food and beverages. Day visitors will pay a N$50 (per person) entry fee.
Those who wish to attend can contact Caroline Coulson at caroline.coulson@drfn.org.na preferably by August 20 to ensure their reservations.

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