Indaba News

Asset Managers tackle Cunene...
Nothing could be more remote from the banking halls of the world's largest cities than a Felix Unite River Adventures canoe trip down the crocodile-infested Cunene River, which forms the border of Namibia and Angola.

But this was the surprise specialist team Chameleon Indabas devised for a group of 40 asset managers who were flown in from countries around the globe for some "away from the office" conferencing after the takeover of the London-based asset management company Guinness Flight by South Africa's Investec.

The group's introduction to the trip was gentle and luxurious as they were flown by chartered aircraft from Windhoek to Etosha National Park, where they were treated to an African-themed dinner and an early morning game drive.

Another short flight took them to the northern border town of Ruacana, where they were met by their host for the trip, none other than Africa's most colorful river ambassador, Felix Unite himself, and a team of expert river guides. 

The Cunene is one of the most inaccessible rivers in Southern Africa. Roads are hardly tracks and tough even on 4x4s. The river is navigable by canoe, but numerous waterfalls mean difficult portages, and expeditions need back-up land support, Global Positioning System equipment and satellite phones.

The Cunene is the exclusive domain of crocodiles and hippos, shy antelope, rare birds and fish eagle, and it is where the nomadic Himba tribal people escape the hot desert sands to come in search of water for their goats and cattle.

"I think there was a lot of scepticism at first. Most of the guys had never been in a canoe before, let alone to Africa," said top river guide Gerry Pyke. The first day went smoothly, and everyone was really keen to get back on the river the next day. The group enjoyed the fine bush cuisine served by the river guides and got to converse in sign language with friendly Himba herdsmen and women who visited the camp.

"The conditions were perfect and we had a relaxing two days padding down to Epupa Falls. We had time to go off down channels and look for crocodiles, and the group loved the Himba experience," said Gerry.

The river was the highest it had been in 30 years. More crocodiles were spotted than ever before and hippos were sighted at the Ondoruso Falls. "The Grand finale was the take-out point at the Epupa Falls." said Gerry. "There was so much water they were more spectacular than we had ever seen them." 

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