Our Namibia Experience
Namibia, as they say is the land of contrasts, and having had first hand experience of this beautiful country, I can agree full heartedly. I visited Namibia in February 2006 with a group of fellow tourism associates, on a mission to learn about the 'Land of Contrasts'. From the moment I touched down in Windhoek International Airport to start my journey towards the capital, I developed a sense of adventure and excitement about what lay ahead of me.
As I journeyed toward the capital, the scenery that unfolded was amazing, and it was hard to believe that I had actually begun my first ever African experience with a bunch of people who I'd known for all of about 12 hours. We made our first stop at a small wood carving cooperative in Okahandja. Here, I got to meet the locals and take the opportunity to buy some genuine Namibian wooden carvings, as well as some decorative ornaments made from the famous makalani nut. Making my way north, I traveled along a narrow stretch of road toward Camp Chilala, just offset from Okonjima. After setting up camp, we made ourselves at home with a braii (an African barbeque) and sat beneath the stars listening to the roar of the lions in the distance.
The following morning, we visited Okonjima, home to the AfriCat Foundation …a non-profit organisation, committed to long-term conservation of Namibia's large carnivores, especially cheetahs and leopards. Okonjima is a must for your trip to Namibia and I would highly recommend it. It is the perfect opportunity to get up close to the Big Cats. It certainly is an eye-opening experience traveling through the bush of the Rehabilitation Centre and having cheetah run alongside the wheels of the van.
After an exciting morning, we traveled onto the first main port of call, the mysterious Lake Otjikoto. Otjikoto is in fact Namibia's largest permanent natural lake and we spent some time there to rest a little and learn something about the history of this unusual landmark. It was nice to stop and rest for a while and take a few photos.
Onwards and upwards, we made our way into Etosha National Park. This was a main element of our trip as our guide excited us with what we should expect from our 3-4 day stay here. Our first campsite was Namutoni Campsite, and I will never forget that night since we were supposed to be having a braii at our camp. However the storm clouds soon arrived and I will never forget watching the sun set behind the rainbow of colours that lit up the evening sky as I stood on top of the old German fort, a true photographic moment!
After a quick swim at Halali Camp the following day, we made our way to my favourite Etosha campsite, my favourite part of Etosha, Okaukuejo. After dinner, I sat down with my fellow travelers by the waterhole in anticipation to see some animals, with a glass of wine and nothing but the excited whispers of the group. It was great to enjoy some downtime after all the traveling. The group awoke to the roar of the lion the next day, a good start to a trip that would take us back out of Etosha and towards the Himba Tribes in Oase.
After a long day's drive, we finally arrived to set up camp in Oase, just round the corner from the only traditionally functioning Himba community outside the far north Kaokoland region of Namibia. Meeting the Himba people was a most memorable and humble experience for me, as we sat with the King and Queen of the village in a small mud hut. We learned how the tribes lived from day to day and it was very interesting to learn of their culture and their customs. I was sad to leave since the little children made us feel so welcome!
After a good breakfast, I took off with my group in the direction of the Petrified Forest, an extraordinary natural phenomenon, situated west of Khorixas. This is where the dead and "living" fossils such as the petrified trees and the Welwitchia can be seen. It was hard to believe that these trees had actually turned to rock! After a hearty lunch, we made our way to Brandberg Mountain to see the bushman paintings of the White Lady… so hard to believe that these paintings had been created thousands of years ago.
As I neared the end of my trip, we traveled west to Cape Cross… the smell of the seals was a memorable experience in itself! From Cape Cross, we traveled to Swakopmund... the adrenalin capital of Namibia. Accommodation was in modern chalets located in the dried up riverbed… a welcomed treat from an overland truck full of 'tired' but happy campers. Our activity organizers picked us up for a fun filled day of activities based in and around the Namib Desert. I spent the day sandboarding and in the afternoon, I spent an adrenalin filled time quad biking in the dunes. There's nothing more exhilarating that putting your foot down and 'flying' amidst the dunes at 70mph only to arrive at the pinnacle of a stunning view… or flying down a 60 degree dune on a sandboard at 60mph… head first!
My trip came to an end after a pleasurable scenic flight over Skeleton Coast where we flew low to view the shipwrecks of the Shaunee and the Eduard Bohlen. Then onto Sossusvlei for a drive through the dunes and a few photos of Dune 45. There's nothing like sitting in a picnic area in the middle of the Sossusvlei dunes having a spit of lunch. The amazing colours and ever-changing shades of the dunes are a photographers paradise. From Sossusvlei, we took another short flight to Hosea Kutako International Airport, for the end of a fabulous trip.
I had a few preconceptions about Namibia before my trip, but the sheer novelty of pitching up a tent in bush one day, and in sand the next added to the daily adventures. The highlight of my trip had to be meeting the Himba tribes, and the sheer adrenalin from the activities in Swakopmund revealed my adventurous side that I didn't know I had. If you've never been to Namibia before, I can highly recommend it as a starting block! It's true what they say… you'll be wanting back for more!