(1) Dune-45!!! (Though that day started off in a bad way, the Dune-45 climb made it all worthwhile …)
(2) Beautiful Desert Landscapes
What I did not like …
After several days in Namibia, the Desert Landscape did get a tad tiring 🙂
Location in the World map …
Some interesting tidbits about Namibia …
Timeline: German Colony (1880s) –> Local Uprising (1892-1905) –> South African Occupation (1st World War) –> Independence in 1990.
Having the world’s oldest desert, the highest sand dunes, and one of the most notorious coasts to shippers (the ‘Skeleton Coast’), Namibia is one of the world’s newest independent republics. Previously known as ‘South West Africa’, Namibia was a German protectorate up until WW1, when it came under the administration of South Africa. The German heritage is still evident in the architecture and place names (Lüderitz, Swakopmund) and in the dress of the Herero tribe womenfolk, who still copy the dress of the 19th century German missionary wives. The country has large stocks of diamonds, copper, uranium, tin, silver, and other minerals, and these, plus the more traditional stock raising and fishing underpin the economy. Namibia appears to the visitor huge and empty. The largely desert-like landscape offers some stunning scenery. The Fish River Canyon in the south, Etosha National Park in the north and the dunes of the Namib-Naukluft desert in the middle are the main points of interest.
Home to the Namib Desert (Along the Atlantic Ocean coast), which is considered to be the World’s oldest desert.
Home to the famous Etosha National Park (Rhinos, Giraffes Etc.).
UK style road rules. Drive on the left side of the road.
Namibia has 30 languages! (11 are native to Namibia)
Namibia has some of the World’s highest sand dunes. “Big Daddy” is 320m+ tall!
Was home to the largest meteorite shower. The Gibeon meteorite shower occurred in prehistoric times in central Namibia. Remains from this meteorite shower are exhibited at Windhoek, Namibia’s capital city.
Namibia has one of the World’s largest concentrations of Rock Art. 5000+ years old!
Namibia has the largest population of free-roaming Cheetah’s in the World. 3000+ Cheetahs.
Namibia is home to the World’s 2nd largest Canyon (Fish River Canyon). 500 million years old.
A large number of sailors have died at this coast in Namibia, given the dense fog and the violent storms in the area.
Spitzkoppe is Famous for its Ancient Bushmen Paintings.
Namibia is famous for mining.
My 1st impressions:
Lots of tourists and weekenders from South Africa. The border crossing took an hour or so. The Immigration officer did not look too friendly 🙂
Quite warmer compared to Cape Town area, but colder (in my cabin) next to the Orange River.
Largest City: Windhoek (2.5 Lakh people)
Capital: Windhoek
Population: 3 Million
Language: English (Official. But 90%+ speak Oshiwambo. Afrikaans is also common)
GDP: 12 Billion USD
Ethnicity: 9 different Ethnics Groups
Religion: 88% Christians
Currency: Namibian Dollar (NAD). 1 NAD == 4.40 INR.
National Animal: Oryx
My Experiences
The Orange River, right at the South Africa – Namibia border …The resort next to the 2400km Orange River (Which starts in Lesotho, towards Eastern side of South Africa, and crosses South Africa and Namibia, before flowing into the Atlantic Ocean).Batman’s Camper Vehicle! Really … Have never seen anything like it before.The farm workers’ shanty town … Its huge, with thousands of people living there. What a tough life it must be 🙁Had this Lemon-Beer … At the farm workers’ shanty town area shopping complex, Namibia.Southern Namibia … Quite barren, other than a major area of farms. As we got closer to Fish River Canyon, it turned into a real desert (Namib Desert).Canoeing 12km, Orange River, Namibia. The 2400km long Orange River (Starting in Lesotho and flowing through South Africa and Namibia into the Atlantic Ocean) is barely 7m deep (on average) it seems (How it flows for 2400km 😳). Me and the guide Stevie in one Canoe. Of course, we easily set the pace 😎💪Ah … Oryx, the National Animal of Namibia.Gondwana Roadhouse Resort, Namibia. They have placed many vintage vehicles within their premises …Gondwana Roadhouse Camp, near Fish River Canyon, Namibia.Gondwana Roadhouse Camp, near Fish River Canyon, Namibia. Early in the morning …Gondwana Roadhouse Camp, near Fish River Canyon, Namibia.Liked this sign … 🙂 Gondwana Roadhouse Camp, near Fish River Canyon, Namibia.The vintage vehicles used as props in Gondwana Roadhouse, Namibia. Near Fish River Canyon.The vintage vehicles used as props in Gondwana Roadhouse, Namibia. Near Fish River Canyon.The vintage vehicles used as props in Gondwana Roadhouse, Namibia. Near Fish River Canyon.The vintage vehicles used as props in Gondwana Roadhouse, Namibia. Near Fish River Canyon.Yes, “No Plastic”! So far, have not seen much Plastic waste in Africa. Most tourist sites have separate bins for waste segregation.Loved this lone tree … At the rim of Fish River Canyon, Namibia. You can note the Orange glow from the Sunset.There were viewing areas like this … At Sunset, several more tourists came.Our truck at Sunset … Fish River Canyon, Namibia.The Chicken Curry, Rice and Vegetables dinner Moyenda (Our Zimbabwean guide) made. I do not like Chicken pieces other than Breast (And Leg, in Biryani 🙂, hence had only gravy …Fish River Canyon, Namibia. There is not much of a “river” to speak of 😁 The 2nd largest Canyon in the World (So they say). Walked a few kilometers along the rim. Stayed till Sunset.“Artistic Photo” … Through the grill of our truck. Namib-Naukluft National Park, Namibia.“Artistic Photo” … Through the grill of our truck. Namib-Naukluft National Park, Namibia.Those thorns are nasty! Poked me through my shoe. Namib-Naukluft National Park, Namibia.The bag the tent came in … I think I can put it up and take it down by myself now … 🙂 (Moyenda helped me).My tent! Namib-Naukluft National Park, Namibia. Not being an Outdoors-Camping person, I had a tough night.Our tents … Namib-Naukluft National Park, Namibia.The “Man and his Tent”, Namib Desert, Namibia 😁. Sleeping in a tent after 6 years (Last time was during the 4-day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu) Not being an Outdoor/Camping kind of guy, I must say it was one spotty night 😳 To boot, all the Oryx, Jackals Etc. around. The Desert was 🥶 during the night …These shrubs were everywhere … Namib-Naukluft National Park, Namibia.Grilled Chicken for dinner … At Bushman Camp near Sossusvlei, Namibia.Namibian Beer ! 🙂Look at the birds’ nest … Like a colony. Namib-Naukluft National Park, Namibia.Making lunch … Namib-Naukluft National Park, Namibia.Beautiful landscapes of the Namib Desert in Namibia … Travelled around 300km yesterday through (mostly) dirt roads.Beautiful landscapes of the Namib Desert in Namibia … Travelled around 300km yesterday through (mostly) dirt roads.The beautiful (And tough! To survive in these arid lands) trees of Gondwana Nature Park, Namibia.The beautiful (And tough! To survive in these arid lands) trees of Gondwana Nature Park, Namibia.Atop “Dune 45” 💪 It felt like around 120m tall (Imagine the dune “Big Daddy”). Climbing the dune was not easy, with my feet sinking a foot or so with each step. Got my shoes filled with sand. And the winds! Man, I got nearly blown away … 😳 With my StairClimbing expertise, despite the sand and the winds, did decent time. Wasnt planning on this photo, but a youngster with DSLR/Tripod/Etc. insisted 🙂 I then ran down the side of Dune 45. It was a lot of fun …My shoes were filled with sand … Maybe, I should have climbed barefoot … Dune 45, Sossusvlei, Namibia.To get an idea of the size of Dune 45 … See the vehicles on the side?Lone tree on the side of Dune 45 … Sossusvlei, Namibia.The 4×4 that took us to Deadvlei area … Sossusvlei, Namibia.The 4×4 that took us to Deadvlei area … Sossusvlei, Namibia.This plant has a watermelon kind of fruit which the animals like Oryx love … Sossusvlei, Namibia.Expansive views … From atop Dune 45, Sossusvlei, Namibia.Nice sand patterns … Near Dune 45. Sossusvlei, Namibia.“Dune 45” (Cause it is 45km from the Sossusvlei Park Entrance) within the Namib-Naukluft National Park. We had left the camp at 5am and reached 1st at the Sossusvlei gate, supposedly to be 1st to climb the Dune45 (Before the it gets too hot in the Sun). But when the gates opened at 7:30am, pretty much every (smaller) vehicle overtook us over the 45km 😁 and we arrived last 😂The red sand dunes of Sossusvlei region of Namibia … Massive sand dunes, with the “Big Daddy” topping at 320 meters 😳 A part of the Namib-Naukluft National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.The “Dead Trees” of Deadvlei … One has to walk over the dunes for 1.5km to get there, after taking a 4×4 ride. When the lake dried up suddenly, these trees were left scorched. Sossusvlei, Namib-Noukluft National Park, Namibia. 700 years old!Grilled Sausages and Pasta for lunch … Sossusvlei, Namibia. This was after the Dune 45 and Deadvlei experiences.Cactus Garden … Bushman Camp, Sossusvlei, Namibia.Leopard and Hyena skin, Bushman Camp, Sossusvlei, Namibia.An Oryx at the artificial watering hole at Bushman Camp, Sossusvlei, Namibia. I tried to tiptoe closer, but it ran away 🙂Grilled Chicken for dinner … At Bushman Camp near Sossusvlei, Namibia.Aren’t these trees magnificent?Oryx family on the move … On the way to Swakopmund, Namibia.Magazines from Namibia … At Sossusvlei Bushman Camp, Namibia.Desert right next to Atlantic Ocean 🙂With the desert and all those sand dunes nearby, no wonder ATVs are sold here … Swakopmund, Namibia.Bought a couple of Monkey Balls as souvenirs 🙂Beer collection of Namibia … Noticed that alcoholic Cider is very popular here as well.The vast and desolate Namib Desert … When we arrived at Swakopmund from the Namib-Naukluft area, there was a severe sandstorm going on. Got myself and my bags all covered in sand .. Even with wraparound sunglasses, it was tough to see …Houses and buildings in Swakopmund, Namibia. During my walk around the small town.The German influence in Namibia 🙂 Swakopmund, Namibia. When we arrived here from the Namib-Naukluft area, there was a severe sandstorm going on. Got myself and my bags all covered in sand .. Even with wraparound sunglasses, it was tough to see …Africa’s “Big 5” 🙂 In case you wonder where the Leopard is, it is behind the Lion. Swakopmund, Namibia.Had a slice of Lemon Meringue Cake and a Cappucino … At one of the many local cafes, during the Swakopmund walks. Swakopmund, Namibia.Swakopmund Corniche 🙂 As it has been in Namibia, yet another cloudless day! Swakopmund, Namibia.Local tribes use such large containers to store grains … Swakopmund Museum, Swakopmund, Namibia.Namib Desert, the only Coastal Desert in the World. Considered the World’s “Oldest” Desert.Woermannhaus … Swakopmund, Namibia. The building is from early 1900s.Namibian flag … Note the flag in the background 🙂Some interesting buildings I saw during my walks in Swakopmund, Namibia.View of Swakopmund from the top of the tower in Woermannhaus. One can see the Atlantic Ocean as well as the Namib Desert. Swakopmund, Namibia.A collector of Toy Vehicles donated the collection to Swakopmund Museum. Quite an extensive collection! Swakopmund, Namibia.Swakopmund, Namibia. The handcraft market area of the town, close to the beach (Atlantic Ocean). Bought a big mask, few medium bowls and 2 sets of colorful tribal statues. Lot of haggling was involved 😁 Dont think I got the “best price”, but then, I liked the stuff. Wanted to buy the silk drapes, but could not agree on the price. Maybe from some other upcoming place. The 2nd (empty) duffel bag I brought is becoming handy … 🙂The small but informative Swakopmund Museum. Swakopmund, Namibia. Gives information about the various tribes, minerals, flora and fauna Etc. of Namibia. There are sections dedicated to the German history as well.Namibia is popular for Minerals. Mining is a major industry here. Displays in Swakopmund Museum. Swakopmund, Namibia.Namibian Dollars. “NAD”. 1 NAD == 4.40 INR. Similar to ZAR (South African Rand). In fact, one can use ZAR freely in Namibia (Exchange rates are almost the same).Bought a portfolio of meats: Chicken, Pork & Beef and also 2 sausages, to go with my Windhoek Beer 🙂Security Services seem quite popular here. All major stores, strip malls Etc. have their own security guards. Swakopmund, Namibia.Passed Tropic of Capricorn on the way to Swakopmund, Namibia. Technically, we are now in the “Tropics”. Just that with the Namib Desert, it does not feel like it 😁Loved these Hippo statues 🙂 Too big to buy and carry though …Could not resist some pastries ….Stocking up on supplies … At Swakopmund, Namibia. The supply is not just for me 🙂 It is for 13 + 2 = 15 people!Pineapple Cider-Beer … With lunch.Our Damara Guide Esso … Spitzkoppe, Namibia. He explained the fundas of Rock Art, how the tribes hunted, their rituals Etc.Spitzkoppe Rock Art … Over 2000 years old. Made with Animal blood Etc.SpotTheExplorer Exercise-1 😁SpotTheExplorer Exercise-2 😁And here is the Mr. C. Columbus himself 😁 Taking (and posting) photos of self is not my thing … (One of the new Portuguese friends took this one). But this MeInMask photos’s background I loved. The views were worth all that climbing 🙂SpotTheExplorer Exercise-3 😁Doesn’t this rock look like a boot???Vegetable-cutting duty today 🙂 We take turns with Cooking, Cleaning-Up, Packing, Truck-Cleaning Etc.The beer I had with Dinner …In the nights, it gets quite cold, at least for me. The campfire helps.Oryx meat for dinner! Tasted like Beef …This time, I had no trouble in putting up my tent 🙂 15min flat.Spitzkoppe, Namibia. “Damaraland” of the Damara tribe. Reminds me of the photos of Ayers Rock (Australia). It is a tricky climb up the huge rock, but the granite rocks offer good grip. On top, there is a natural shallow “Pool”, with great views, which alas was dry (Not that I would have climbed in if there was water 😁). The region is famous for Rock Art from 2000-4000 years ago. A local Damara guide came to show us around … 7 more people joined us from Swakopmund, which makes it “Lucky 13”. 7 Australians. 4 Portuguese (1st time seeing so many together 😁 Need to go to Portugal 😂). 1 UK-Australian and yours truly.Wow! Someone loves their Cheese Puffs 🙂A lone Giraffe … Etosha National Park, Namibia.My 1st Wild Elephant in Africa! 🙂A manmade watering hole … Etosha National Park, Namibia. If you zoom, you can note a Springbok drinking water. We noticed the Rhino poop all around 🙂Our truck breaks down here! Had to be rescued by Etosha National Park staff in another large 4×4.Five views during the drive from Swakopmund to Etosha National Park … The long and mostly-lonely roads of Namibia.Isn’t this rock formation beautiful? Spitzkoppe, Namibia.Etosha National Park, Namibia. It was one long drive from Swakopmund. Elephants, Giraffes, and Ostriches, as soon as we entered the park. Hope to get a peek of the other dudes: Rhinos, Lions, Leopards Etc. Etosha is a part of the Kalahari Desert (Of Botswana) and hence do not look like an African Tropical Jungle. With strategically placed manmade watering holes all around the 22000 Sq.Km. park, they have ensured that 130+ Animal and 340+ Bird species thrive here. Our truck broke down right in the middle of the park (1hr (60km) away from our camp), just as it was getting dark 😳 It was an adventure getting to the camp site 😁 I was polishing up my Karate to fight the Lions 😂 And it gets brrrr 🥶 cold in the night … One of true pleasures of travelling, for me, is meeting like-minded fellow travel nuts, swapping stories amd tips, and bonding over a local beer 🙂 Now I have several new friends who have promised me to help with my future Portugal and Australia trips.The busiest Watering Hole we saw in Etosha National Park, Namibia. No “Big Boys” (Big Cats Etc.). But pretty much everyone else has marked their attendance 🙂The group of people silently observing the Watering Hole … Etosha National Park, Namibia.Waiting at a Watering Hole in Etosha National Park, Namibia. Right now, Nothing. Zilch. Nada. Let us see … Hope Wildlife starts feeling thirsty soon 😁 Started developing immense respect for the never-ending patience of professional Wildlife Photographers 🫡The 4 Portuguese guys are huge Football/Soccer fans. They watched the POR-SLO game where POR squeaked through … (Got a free beer just for speaking in support of POR 😉😬) Next up for them, FRA 🤭 Etosha Park has a common area for such purposes. Way more people watched the earlier FRA-BEL game. There are a lot of tourists here and a grand total of 1 Indian 🙂The same Watering Hole, earlier in the day. The elephants keep dousing themselves with the muddy water and when it dries up, it gives them a whiteish look in the wild 😁 Though Etosha National Park has a lot of natural watering holes, these artificial watering holes, strategically placed for tourists, add another dimension during Winter non-rainy seasons. Also, their strict policy of humans setting foot only in designated resort or rest areas ensure that the animals are not scared most of the time and just ignore the staring tourists.Etosha National Park, Namibia. Elephants.Etosha National Park, Namibia. Wildebeests. Wildebeests look like Frankenstein Monster 😁 Mix of everything. Antelope/Bison/Bull/Etc.Etosha National Park, Namibia. Giraffes.Etosha National Park, Namibia. Zebras.Etosha National Park, Namibia. Impalas and Kudus.Etosha National Park, Namibia. At 22000 Sq.Km. the 5th biggest (by area) in Africa (or 6th, as per some lists). Namib-Naukluft is 3rd. Miscellaneous animals. The bottom-right grainy picture on my shitty Samsung phone was the personal highlight for me. Cheetah and her cub about 30m away. Though there were some Impalas nearby, she did not hunt 😕 (Maybe had her lunch earlier). My tourmates with fancy DSLRs got some great pics. Did see Rhinos, but 100m away, not close enough for my phone camera. Two of the “Big-5” crossed. Three more National Parks (in other Nations) to go. Lets see what happens. 21% of Etosha is a Salt Pan, which is almost dry now (Winter). 140+ Animal and 340+ Bird species here. The Portueguese guys saw 2 small groups of Rhinos at that Watering Hole, in the night, and got some amazing pictures. Amazing how these wild animals have watering hole routines! Our guide had told us that Rhinos typically come for water around 8pm and voila! Noticed lots of Termite Mounds in this part of Namibia.Overall collage … Etosha National Park, Namibia.This Kudu was very lucky! It jumped right in front of our truck which was going at 90 kmph. Somehow our Zambian driver Lemark avoided it. Then it ran alongside at around 20-30kmph speed and then crossed the highway in front of our slowly-moving truck. Between Etosha National Park and Windhoek, Namibia.“Bushman’s Platter” at Joe’s restaurant in Windhoek, Namibia. Giraffe. Springbok. Oryx. Kudu. Zebra. To my tastebuds, all of them tasted similar to Beef 🙂 My favorite was Zebra 😘 Windhoek, the Namibian capital is at 1650m altitude and is quite chilly 🥶 A strong German influence can be seen in the buildings.Independence Memorial Museum, Windhoek, Namibia. Samuel Nujoma’s (Namibia’s 1st President) statue is there in front of it …Some kind of signal tower … On the way to Gobabis, Namibia.Namibia is famous for its Mines … You see long trucks like these all over the country.“Bushman Tour”, Gobabis/Buitepos, Namibia: Father/Mother/Daughter team. A pity that Bushmen who once ruled these areas have to now wear fake clothes and act out for tourists … Bushmen speak with a lot of tongue-clicks. Namibian-German Translator/Owner came along as well. His Sister and BIL owns the huge farm. Medicine plant, whose leaves are used for Cold/Cough. Snakehead plant. Brandy Berry bush, with multiple uses like: Walking sticks, Arrows, Spears Etc. Desert plant, whose leaves are used to get strong strings and also used to treat ear infections. An antiseptic root used for burns. This tiny plant’s roots spread a lot under the ground. Everyone took their photos with them (Except me 😁). They then sold some handicrafts like bead necklaces, horns Etc. Bought 8 items, horns and bead necklaces. Not sure if I can get the horns into India 🙂How tough is life for the majority of Africans? See this boy with the wheelbarrow. It is sad to see so many struggling people. I am told, repeatedly, that people in Africa migrate to South Africa for better prospects. South Africa itself has 35%+ unemployment! 😱 That is how bad things are. All the former thriving African tribe members who were once “Rich” with their land, cattle Etc. are now left with no option but to literally beg tourists for handouts. E.g. Charge tourists for taking their photo 😕Our guide Moyenda (From Zimbabwe, with parents from Mozambique and Malawi) have been telling us that one day he will cook authentic “African food” for us. So, yesterday, while we were away for the Bushman Tour, he spent a few hours making Pap and Beef Stew, a dish very popular in these parts of Africa. Pap is a kind of Porridge (Made with Maize, I believe). I liked it and had a generous 2nd helping as well 🙂 (With Beer 🍻 it was yummy). There was some side dish of Cabbage with Peanut Butter (! 😳), which was 🤮 to me …
