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OKATJIKONA
ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION CENTRE
 Contact
details:
The Warden
Okatjikona Environmental Education Centre
TeleFax: 067 – 306320
Private Bag 2506
Otjiwarongo
Namibia
VISITORS` GUIDE
The Okatjikona Environmental Education (EE) Centre is situated in a
beautiful setting, found at the base of the plateau. The plateau
itself is a haven for endangered wildlife such as roan, sable, and
black- and white rhinoceros. There are 23 different species of large
mammal and 64 different species of small mammals. Reptiles number 75
different species, of which one is endemic to the area. Thirteen
species of amphibians occur, while 172 different kinds of birds can be
found. The flora of the park is quite diverse.
480 Flowering plant types and 10 fern species are found in the
Waterberg.
The centre is a venture of the Ministry of Environment and Tourism
(MET). It
strives to establish environmental education programs that will
promote environmental education as a continuous process occurring in
and out of school, considering the environment in its totality, and
emphasizing the compatibility of conservation and sustainable development.
The picture above shows the Centre, as viewed from the cliffs of the
Waterberg.
WHERE IS THE CENTRE?
Okatjikona Environmental Education Centre is situated in the
Waterberg plateau Park, approximately 114 km east of Otjiwarongo in
the Otjozondjupa region. A gravel road branches off to the left
towards the Centre from the road that leads to Okakarara. The centre
itself can be found 28 km after the
Bernabe de la Bat resort of the Waterberg Plateau Park.
Objectives of the MET`s Environmental Education Centres include:
1. Increasing the knowledge and awareness of the diversity within the
fragile nature of the Namibian
environment and to encourage and promote the
sustainable use of Namibia`s natural resources for
the present and future generations
2. To influence peoples` attitudes, knowledge and behaviour
3. Deepening peoples` understanding and heightening awareness
4.
Fostering creativity as well as ingenuity
5.
Build capacity among the Namibian youth to start taking the lead in
sustainable environmental, social,
and economic development
6.
Share and develop skills for identifying, critically evaluating and
solving environmental problems
7.
To stimulate action education
8.
Addressing the daily need for a change to a better environment for our
future
9.
Strive to achieve the objectives of Article 95 of the Namibian
constitution
10.
To increase knowledge and awareness of the mission of the MET
BOOKINGS
To make a booking one can write to the centre at the following
address:
Okatjikona Environmental Education Centre
Private Bag 2506
Otjiwarongo
Namibia
Telephonic or faxed bookings can be done at 067-306320
Once your booking has been received, the staff will confirm it and
discuss your programme and itinerary with you. Please allow sufficient
time for bookings to be properly attended to.
Categories of fees charged per person per night:
1) Public Schools
a) Rural Schools N$
10-00
b) Urban Schools
N$ 15-00
2) Private Schools
N$ 20-00
3)
Institutions
N$ 25-00
(Among institutions include: Communal community groups, University
groups, Womens` organizations,
Girl guides, Scouts, Environmental clubs, and
Conservation career guidance groups)
FACILITIES
A maximum number of 40 people, including supervisors and caterers can
be accommodated at the Centre. Groups should number no less than 12
members. The Centre has an office, a lecture room, a communal kitchen, and 3
dormitories. Each dormitory has 4 rooms
with 4 beds per room. There is no bedding available. On the kitchen
premises there is a large gas stove and a chest freezer. All kitchen
equipment is supplied and each group need only bring its own food and
bedding. The ablution facilities have toilets, and showers with solar
heated water.
PROGRAMMES
The programmes offered at the centre are designed to involve learners
in “hands on” experiences with regards to the environment.
Programmes can be adapted for the specific needs of a group. Please
discuss your programme and itinerary with the education staff at the
centre. This will ensure the smooth running of your programme and
excursion. The programmes vary in length and can be anything from 1
day to 4 days. The length of the excursion can depend on the time
available for each particular group.
Feel free to ask the Conservation Officers with regards to your
particular needs – they will be more than willing to assist you.
There is no doubt that a group arriving with specific aims, tasks, and
assignments derive more benefit than a group adopting a “wait and
see” approach.
Conferences, seminars and workshops:
The centre has the facilities to accommodate these activities,
provided that it adheres to certain requirements. They are:
a)
Such a conference, seminar or workshop
should be of an environmental/conserva-
tion nature
b)
Environmental/scientific related organiza-
tions will enjoy priority in booking of
these events
The
lecture hall is fully equipped and ideal for these occasions. To
arrange your seminar, workshop, or conference effectively, contact the
centre staff and they will give further details and advice.
The
main gate of the Okatjikona Environmental Education Centre
ADMINISTRATION
Once you have your dates and excursion planned, contact the Centre and
make your booking. The staff will try and make your trip as
educational, entertaining and fulfilling as possible.
If the centre is not able to accommodate you during the periods that
you have asked for, there is no need to worry, as there are more than
just one Environmental Education centre in Namibia.
The Ministry of Environment and Tourism has a second EE centre in the
Etosha Game Park. The Namutoni Environmental Education Centre is
situated on the eastern border of the Etosha National park at the von
Lindequist Gate.
Should the Namutoni EE Centre
interest you, please contact them at the following particulars:
The warden
Namutoni Environmental Education Centre
Private Bag 2014
Tsumeb
Namibia
Tel: 067-229200/1
Email: neec@mweb.com.na
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