Q: Chris, you’ve been to Africa many times. Why should Aussies put Namibia on their travel agenda?
A: Namibia is an incredible country – so unique to the rest of Africa as it is predominantly a desert environment with a sparse population (except for the Zambezi Region, previously known as the Caprivi Strip, which is lush and green and criss-crossed with lots of amazing river systems and wetlands).
Although it is a dry country it has the most amazing diversity of landscapes, people and wildlife on offer.
Q: So what exactly does it offer to visitors?
A: Where to start? Travellers can experience so much from a trip to Namibia:
# Some of the highest and reddest sand dunes in the world
# Atlantic wildlife including seals and whales
# Incredible birdlife including flamingos
# Spectacular desert scenery that changes every time you blink (meaning you have to stop for yet another photograph!)
# Desert-adapted wildlife including desert elephants and lions, endangered black rhino, gemsbok (oryx) and springbok
# Inspiring cultures including the welcoming Himba, Herero and Ju/’hoansi Bushmen
# The second largest canyon in the world – The Fish River Canyon
# Mind-blowing night skies
# Adventure activities including quad biking, sand boarding and sea kayaking
Namibia is also a photographer’s dream. Quiver trees with the Milky Way in the background, the blood red Sossusvlei sand dunes and Dead Vlei with its other-worldly trees, black rhino drinking from spot-lit water holes at night, the ghost town of Kolmanskop being eaten up by the desert sands…it goes on and on.
Q: That’s an impressive list. What are some of the best ways to explore the country?
A: Namibia is made for self-drive travel, especially for Australians who are used to driving long distances.
Most of the roads are gravel but the key tourist routes are really well maintained, making self-drive travel incredibly accessible.
There are also more challenging off-the-beaten track routes (for example, up into the Kunene Region) but the most popular destinations are all really do-able for self-drive travellers.
Most travellers self-drive – alternates are using a shuttle bus service between key destinations, small group tours or charter flights (which can be very pricey).
Q: What kind of experience will visitors have with the Namibian people?
A: The Namibians are incredibly diverse, friendly and keen to show off their country and host visitors. English is Namibia’s official language so it’s very easy for Australian travels to interact with the locals.
In 2020, we were lucky enough to be able to spend a couple of nights in Tsumkwe, a small village in the heart of the Nyae Nyae Conservancy in northeast Namibia – right on the border with Botswana.
This is the precious homeland of the Ju/’hoansi Bushmen, the Indigenous custodians of this incredible part of the world.
With our San Bushman guide Smallboy we spent a fantastic morning walking through the bush with a welcoming Ju/’hoansi family who showed us just some of the wonders of their world.
This included learning about many edible and medicinal plants, getting a glimpse into the life and culture of the Bushman, learning how they can secure water from some of the roots and bulbs in the area and also watching in absolute awe as they created fire from just what they could find in the bush.
A highlight of our time together was learning about how the Ju/’hoansi set snares to catch small animals for food.
One of the younger guys set up a snare and then acted out the process – pretending he was a small hare and getting caught in the snare.
His superb performance had all of us in complete stiches – proving yet again that laughter is the definitely the universal language!
Q: What are some of your favourite spots in the country?
A: Sossusvlei – sitting on top of a sand dune and watching the sun rise, turning the dunes from a washed out brown to the most vibrant red.
Swakopmund – a highlight here was the Living Desert Tour and learning about the incredible life in the Namib Desert – from geckos to chameleons.
Damaraland – nothing is more awe-inspiring that seeing a desert elephant striding through the rocky valleys of Damaraland.
Etosha – dotted around Etosha’s iconic salt pans are life-giving waterholes – waiting to see what comes to drink is the best feeling.
Tsumkwe – our family just loved spending time with the Ju/’hoansi Bushmen who took us for a walk through their incredible country.
Q: Is personal safety and security an issue in Namibia?
A: No more so than most places in the world. Common sense precautions are always advisable – ensuring valuables aren’t on show, knowing where you are going, avoiding driving at night.
Q: For those now keen to give Namibia a try, what kind of tours do you operate there?
A: Self-drive camping trips – we organise vehicle hire of fully equipped 4WDs with roof top tents and book all camping sites for you.
Self-drive accommodated trips – with a 4WD or large SUV staying in lovely accommodation – from affordable guest houses to magnificent luxury lodges.
Guided 4×4 trips – tag-along-tours where you self-drive with a guide in a lead vehicle.
Small Group Tours – a range of great small group tours on offer, often combining with Botswana, South Africa and Zimbabwe.
Fly-in – we do offer fly in safaris where you fly between luxury lodge but this is an extremely expensive option.
As we tailor-make our packages we can easily mix and match to suit a client or a customer’s needs.
https://www.travelafricayourway.com.au/
