25 Years of Guest Business

BüllsPort celebrates a round anniversary this month: In April 1993, thus a quarter of a century ago, the young farmer couple Johanna and Ernst Sauber opened the guest business. The impetus for this step has been given by years of drought – and, strange as it may sound, by the independence of Namibia…

The farm has been in the ownership of the Sauber family since 1950. Like his parents, Ernst is a farmer with heart and soul, he is passionate about cattle breeding. But since 1989, rain is falling few and far between, so there is not enough grass. In 1994 the farmer couple has to sell the last cattle and Karakul sheep. The income from the small petrol station, the shop and the remaining small stock is not enough for them and their two little sons.

Fortunately tourism, on the rise since independence, offers a new source of income. Already in 1992, Ernst works temporarily as a tour guide. With Johanna he comes to the conclusion that BüllsPort has everything that inspires vacationers, whether from Europe, South Africa or even Namibia. The unique landscape of the Naukluftberge; a diverse flora and fauna; deep ravines with rock pools that carry water throughout the year. Not to mention the traces of a chequered history, such as the ruins of the German police station from the colonial era before 1915.

The location is also convenient: Situated 230 km southwest of Windhoek en-route to Sossusvlei, BüllsPort is ideally suited as a stop at the beginning or the end of a roundtrip from Windhoek through the south of Namibia. When travelling from South Africa, it is a stop on the way to the coast.

In 1993 Ernst and Johanna establich five guest rooms and register BüllsPort as a guest farm. In order to enable holidaymakers to experience the Naukluft mountains, Ernst builds 14 hiking trails over the years, including the now well-known trail through the Quiver Tree Gorge and a path to the lesser known arch rock of the Naukluft.

Hiker’s paradise BüllsPort with 14 hiking trails. (Graphic: BüllsPort)

Johanna, who has a passion for horses and equestrian sports, starts in 1997 horse breeding and horseback riding in the mountains. The farm drives are a great experience, too: Guests see and realize what it means to breed cattle and horses in a dry area near the Namib Desert in a sustainable way.

Today BüllsPort offers 14 spacious, air-conditioned rooms and a swimming pool. For campers there are two campsites a few kilometers further in the valley, equipped with shower, toilet and barbecue facility.

Since the establishment of the tourism business at BüllsPort, guests appreciate the personal atmosphere. Dinner is still served at the table of the hosts, Johanna and Ernst Sauber, and through conversation guests gain insight into the everyday life of a farm in Namibia.