Your Preferred Destination
"Wildacker" is a spaciousguest and hunting farm in the northeast of Namibia.
As a typical Namibianguest farm, we offer you an eventful and comfortable stay in a family atmosphere.Onfarm tours and
you can explore nature and animals in an old tree-covered dune landscape andlearn details about the operation of a game farm.As ahunting farmwith almost 60 years of history, "Wildacker" promises exciting stalking.
"Wildacker" is perfect as abase for toursto the animal paradises of the Etosha National Park and the tropicalCaprivito the Victoria Falls , to the wildKhaudom National Park or to the San/Bushmen at Tsumkwe or the Nyae Nyae Pans.
Browse through these pages and do not hesitate to make a non-binding enquiry.Your German and English-speaking hosts Christine and Helgaard van der Vyver and the Wildacker team look forward to your visit.
YOUR ACCOMMODATION
Standard Bungalow
Stylishly furnished grass-roof bungalow for 2 people.
Size: 28
Large bungalow
Spacious grass-roof bungalow for 2 people plus 2 children.
Size: 40m²
Family Bungalow
Two-story grass-roof bungalow for 2 people plus 2 children.
Size: 41
Mangetti Camp
Remote camp for self-catering groups with 4 luxury tents for 2 people each
Campsite
Two tent pitches with fencing and a tent pitch in the bush
THE FARM
“Wildacker” is a private game and nature reserve of more than 15,000 hectares, which has been managed exclusively as such for almost 60 years.
Large, tree-covered, longitudinal dunes dominate the landscape.
A special feature of the valleys is the row of so-called vleis. These depressions, filled with water only after good rains and surrounded by shady trees, are a strong attraction for many bird species.
In places, large termite mounds dot the landscape.
TRAVEL TIME
Like all of Namibia, Wildacker is worth a visit at any time of year.
During the dry season (May–October), the arid landscape, with its typically African colors, contrasts with the numerous, easily observed animals that gather at the watering holes.
The months of June to August are winter, and it can get quite cold at night, as well as in the mornings and evenings.
During the rainy season (November–April), the flora blooms and turns green in anticipation of the rain, especially after the first major thunderstorms.
Birdwatchers, in particular, get their money's worth.
FAUNA
Wildacker's wildlife is extremely diverse.
Among the big game, the otherwise relatively rare eland is particularly notable, as it has large populations here in its preferred habitat.
The eland is the largest antelope species.
The reserve also boasts numerous giraffes, kudus, oryxes, waterbucks, wildebeests, zebras, impalas, duikers, warthogs, and ostriches.
Wildacker is home to a conservation project aimed at reintroducing rare antelope species.
Sable and roan antelopes have already been successfully released.
Other antelope species are found in a separate area protected from predators, which you can visit on feeding trips.
Predators are not uncommon on Wildacker, but spotting them requires a lot of luck: they include leopards, cheetahs, hyenas, red cats, and black-backed jackals.
Wildacker is also the natural habitat of the now extremely rare wild dogs .
There are also bush babies (galagos), pangolins, aardvarks and vervet monkeys, although they are very shy.
During the dry season, one is continually amazed by the multitude of bird species that populate the seemingly hostile bush.
These begin with the rare golden-crested parrot and rose-breasted parrot, followed by the numerous tokos and squamosa, tree hops and hoopoes, bee-eaters, sunbirds and thrushes, dowager storks, guinea fowl, francolins and bustards, and finally, numerous eagle, vulture, and owl species.
This biodiversity is further increased during the rainy season by the arrival of other migratory and waterfowl species. The latter seek out the natural watering holes, known as vleis.
This delights not only ornithologists; equipped with binoculars or a spotting scope, you can observe many birds in your garden or at your birdbath.
Flora
The relatively high rainfall contributes to Wildacker's comparatively dense tree population.
In addition to the camelthorn (Acacia erioloba), which is widespread throughout Namibia, the dolfwood (Pterocarpus angolensis) and the sand seringe (Burkea africana) are predominant.
Over 40 species of trees and shrubs have been recorded.
Flowers and herbs with blossoms are found only during the rainy season.
More than 120 species have been identified so far.
Some of them bloom only after heavy rainfall or even only every few years, including some beautiful species of lilies and gladiolas.
For those interested in plants, our library has botanical identification books and our own photo books, which contain all the known species on our farm.
The exotic trees and shrubs in the garden are also all numbered for easy identification.
Story
The story of Wildacker begins in 1967 with the purchase and auction of the three northeasternmost farms of the southwest farmland and the renaming to Wildacker, Wildgrund and Wildhagen.
The more than 15,000-hectare farm is located in the northern part of the Kalahari Desert, on the northeastern boundary of the designated farmland, the so-called Red Line. It was previously used for extensive cattle farming, but was abandoned by the previous owners due to the growth of machau, a highly poisonous plant that causes rapid cardiac death in cattle, as it was deemed unsuitable for cattle breeding.
Since game is more wary of the machau plant, the new owners intended to establish and operate a game and hunting farm adapted to the natural conditions. They believed that the pristine and unique character of the local bush and tree savannah would offer guests a special, unforgettable African experience.
The abundant game populations of eland, kudu, oryx, hartebeest, zebra, impala, giraffe, ostrich, warthog, and predators could guarantee a magnificent hunting experience.
Thus, the idea of a hunting and guest farm was born.
Wildacker is still owned by the founding families.
In 2013, we brought the hunting and guest farm up to a contemporary, high standard and have since continuously invested in further improvements, particularly in environmentally friendly solar energy.
Maintaining it as a game and nature reserve and a typical Namibian hunting and guest farm remains very important to us.
