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Namibian Adventure 2020

few basic details before you embark on this type of to life and kept us entertained while skilfully negotiating
trip: We are using a rental VW Polo. Cross border the dunes. A guide is essential in this protected area. Permit
A documents, a valid driver’s license, International required.
licence, and a “ZA” decal on the vehicle are essential. The B1
and B2 roads are tarred. Plan your route carefully. Drive slowly At Mariental we took advantage of the swimming pool and
on the C roads which can be bone rattling at times. There are enjoyed the free roaming animals (chickens, geese, ducks,
Police roadblocks outside of each town. Do keep your driver’s peacocks, turkeys and springbuck) There are also camels and
licence ready for inspection. pigs and a children’s playground.

Namibia offers a very diverse landscape. From the stunning Fish We were directed to the Tsumeb Museum for accommodation
River Canyon, the rolling sand dunes, and the semi dry pans of information. Their suggestion was to stay at a Lodge outside
Ethosha which changed overnight into a salt water sea after a of Ethosha National Park. We spent 3 days doing day trips to
dramatic thunderstorm. explore the park ourselves. From Namatoni camp we did a game
drive in a safari vehicle with a guide.
We explored Luderitz with its magnificent stately homes, at
Keetmanshoop we walked in the Quiver Tree Forest, and The trip southwards took us back to Tsumeb where we visited
viewed the Giants Playground with its balancing boulders. the private Museum. As avid scuba divers we were delighted
to find an assortment of lovingly restored cannons which had
My favourite place was Swakopmund- adrenaline junkie been found abandoned after the war. More cannons are still at
heaven! We did a flight over the rugged canyon landscape to the bottom of the lake. Live munition means this area is still
the Sousseveld dune fields. Passed over abandoned mining dangerous for divers.
settlements, shipwrecks and thousands of basking seals. The
scenery is dramatic! Places which are etched in my mind are Accommodation varies from the backpacker version to
where the dunes meet the sea, the oasis with its lush green area, high end luxury lodges. The people are extremely friendly
the rocky canyon winding across the landscape... and justifiably proud of their beautiful country. Our
accommodation varied from self-catering to luxury. All types
We also did a “Little Five” guided desert tour. The guides of tourists are catered for. From sites for self-drive camper vans,
skilfully found the sidewinder snake, the ... chameleon, the tents, A-frame mini houses to basic bed and breakfasts and of
legless lizard and the sand burrowing gecko. The only missing course the luxury lodges.
creature was the dancing white lady spider. The holes of the
venomous scorpion were not inspected! Today we head back into South Africa and I can highly
recommend Namibia as a travel destination.
This tour was followed by the Welitschia tour. This took us I loved the 3 weeks spent in this beautiful country.
off the beaten track with stunning scenery in search of these
enormous ancient plants. Our guide brought his knowledge Maureen Dickason

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