Namibia Wildlife Resorts Limited (NWR) /Ai-/Ais Hotsprings and Spa experienced heavy rains and flash floods on 5 January 2021. These flash floods resulted in rivers along the resort overflowing, causing extensive damage to the resort and campsites.
/Ai-/Ais Hotsprings and Spa acting manager, Robert Hailume, narrated his experience; “The rain was quite heavy and caused extensive damage to the resort and campsites. 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 severe damage to the resort and campsites, NWR had no other option but to temporarily close the resort to visitors for the next three months, starting from 11 January 2021 until the end of March 2021. “We will soon commence with the repair work. This will ensure that the resort can begin to operate as soon as possible,” said Matthias Ngwangwama, NWR Managing Director.
/Ai-/Ais which literally means “fire” or “burning water” in the Khoekhoegowab language, is situated in the //Kharas region at the base of the Great Karas Mountains, about 224 kilometres south-west of Keetmanshoop.
The /Ai-/Ais Hotsprings and Spa is located in the /Ai-/Ais Richtersveld Transfrontier Park, near the Fish River Canyon which is 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.