The Miss Namibia 2009 Pageant - one of the most anticipated events on the Namibian social calendar, is upon us. Namibia Wildlife Resorts (NWR) is once again a Gold Sponsor for the competition which pits 10 young Namibian ladies against each other for the honour of being crowned Miss Namibia 2009 and carry the hopes of the nation in international beauty pageants. The ten finalists recently visited Etosha National Park, where they were hosted by NWR at the majestic Onkoshi Camp.Etosha National Park presents one of the largest wildlife sanctuaries in Africa and also a place where 4 of the Big Five game species can be seen. But perhaps more fittingly, the Park also has an amazing geologic setting with the world famous Etosha pan - a saline geologic depression covering an area of 4 730 km2. Onkoshi Camp is situated on a peninsula on the edge of the pan - overlooking the vast expanse of the now water-filled location, and offering a unique perspective on Etosha's incredible wildlife.
The Camp, one of Namibia's most exclusive and the latest in Etosha National Park provided the kind of natural ambience, physical setting and hospitality type required for a memorable photo-shoot for the ten finalists. Onkoshi Camp caters to both nature lovers and also serious nature and leisure photographers - as Conny Maritz; Director of the Miss Namibia Pageant came to find out. "The place is absolutely amazing and the presence of water in the pan is said to be a phenomena which last occurred 30 years ago", remarked an amazed Conny.
The ladies and their support crew were treated to Onkoshi hospitality over a period of 4 days. In between the gruelling photo-shoots, the girls had a chance to take in the sights of Etosha National Park, all in the company of NWR's professional Guides, on Game drives and Nature walks in the century-old Park.
One of the contestants, Teacher and Entrepreneur Tanya Schemmer (22) noted, "Not only was the scenery enticing, accommodation excellent, food delicious and animals fascinating, I believe it is the lovely crew at Onkoshi that made this a surely unforgettable and wonderful experience".
Namibia Wildlife Resorts, in its capacity as an SOE integral to hosting the large number of tourists in the vast land of the brave is committed to marketing Namibian tourism and Namibia as a destination to the world.
In a motivational message, Managing Director of NWR, Dr. Tobie Aupindi encouraged the ten finalists of this year's pageant to become willing ambassadors of Namibia. "The magnificent Camps such as Onkoshi Camp and Sossus Dune Lodge are yours. NWR is merely managing them for the Namibian people. It is your duty to go out there and let the world know about what Namibia has to offer".
It is also with these sentiments that Dr. Aupindi then offered to include the 10 finalists in the upcoming NWR 2009/2010 brochure which showcases the company's facilities and activities and of which 10,000 copies reach international Travel agents in top markets such as the United Kingdom, Germany, USA, South Africa and Belgium annually.
The winner of the Miss Namibia 2009 Beauty Pageant also wins a weekend away at NWR's newly redeveloped /Ai-/Ais Hotsprings Spa in the /Ai-/Ais Richtersveldt Transfrontier Park. By doing so, NWR hopes to give the newly crowned Miss Namibia 2009 a chance to experience ultimate relaxation as well as a glimpse into the activities available in the southern Parks of Namibia as well as expose her to the conservation efforts of both the Namibian and South African authorities that jointly manage this Park.
In addition to products such as Onkoshi Camp, NWR also recommends Sossus Dune Lodge, another exclusive product located in the 4th largest Park in Africa, the Namib Naukluft Park; which offers fine standards of comfort, excellent opportunities for exploring the Namib's world famous sand dunes and a strong commitment to conservation.