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Namibian Adventure 2020

Land of Enchantment

As a starting point the first place that comes to mind when cause total failure of both phone and compass. As an example,
anyone thinks of Namibia is the Ethosha Pan. While making a magnet was swung over the sand and all the black magnetite
our way North to view this area we encountered unexpected adhered to the cloth wrapped magnet. The compass on my
animals. In the vast desert sandy areas life can be found in the Garmin watch started circling madly. This area is probably the
most unexpected places. These areas are stark and to the most most dramatic reminder that all the modern essentials can no
part look totally barren and forbidding. longer be relied on for survival.

A good tour guide will take you to the open spaces and produce Our visit coincided with the onset of the rainy season. Dramatic
the “Little Five.” Everyone is familiar with the “Big Five” so afternoon thunderstorms started filling the salt water pans
the concept of finding tiny creatures hiding in the sand is of Ethosha. The migratory birds started appearing in vast
unexpected. But life thrives with scorpions, Palmato geckos, numbers. This is definitely a site worth travelling to the North
lizards, legless lizards, desert chameleons, sidewinder snakes of Namibia to witness. The camps provide basic necessities and
and the elusive dancing white lady spider. fuel as well as accommodation.

Namibia is famous for it’s adventure sports. While driving We chose to stay at a Lodge just outside the National Park and
across the sand to find these small animals we encountered do day trips into Ethosha. This included self-drive trips armed
groups of sand boarding enthusiasts as well as quad bike riders. with a map and details of recent sightings of the Big Five as well
Do bear in mind that the country is rich in minerals as well as as open jeep safaris with a trained and knowledgeable game
diamonds and many areas cannot be accessed without a permit. guide.
Tour companies will collect you from your hotel and transport
you to the magical world of desert, sky and surf. There is also Having lived in Africa for most of my life my basic knowledge
a prehistoric plant named the Welwitschia. These two leaved of Namibia did not bring to life the reality of such a stunning
plants grow in an area which can only be described as devoid of area. Over the years I have been told how starkly beautiful
life. The baby plants are over 100 years old! Seeds will germinate Namibia really is. Finally experienced this for myself and the
only when the conditions are perfect. reality is that the country is spectacular. The food is excellent.
Due to an ongoing 6-year drought many farmers have
We decided to do a charter flight from Swakopmund to the abandoned growing crops and have opened coffee stops and
Soussudveld area. This area is not accessible in any other way. accommodation to keep living in the area. Local knowledge is
To say that it was money well spent does not even come close well worth listening to and we found some really fascinating
to the reality of the flight. There is an oasis, the Kuiseb Canyon, places this way.
the Namib Desert and the most dramatic land meets seascapes
that you could ever witness. Seal colonies line the beaches - with Visit Maureen Dickason at https://www.facebook.com/
thousands upon thousands of seals basking in the afternoon maureen.dickason
sun.

There are abandoned mining towns which are a stark reminder Accommodation varies from the backpacker version to
of the diamond seeking dreams of people who tried and failed. high end luxury lodges. The people are extremely friendly
Ship wrecks can be seen from the air. One is an enormous and justifiably proud of their beautiful country. Our
wreck right inland which shows how the sand has moved over accommodation varied from self-catering to luxury. All types
the years. This is the Eduard Bohlen a passenger and cargo ship of tourists are catered for. From sites for self-drive camper vans,
stranded in 1909. The wreck of the Shawnee had engine failure tents, A-frame mini houses to basic bed and breakfasts and of
in 1976 and lies in shallow water. The landscape is constantly course the luxury lodges.
changing. Very dramatic sand waves and incredibly high sand
dunes show the relentless passage of time. Today we head back into South Africa and I can highly
recommend Namibia as a travel destination.
One thing which was mentioned frequently by the tour guides I loved the 3 weeks spent in this beautiful country.
was “do not drop your phone onto the sand” The obvious
assumption was that it would disappear into the fine sand but Maureen Dickason
the reality was that the magnetite (which is abundant) will

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