by Andrew Porter

Created on: January 19, 2009

Namibia is one of the few countries in Africa that can claim that the animals are more dangerous than the people. In all of Africa it is probably true to say that the mosquito is the most dangerous animal, but in Namibia it is the hippopotamus that comes in second instead of man. Namibia has a very small population of less than two million. It now, however, also has a small high quality tourist industry. The wildlife is less abundant than many other parts of Africa on the usual safari tourist trail, but the lack of busloads of tourists on a day trip away from the beach makes it far more pleasant and the wildlife viewing more satisfying. The varied landscape of the country, from the huge sand dunes (allegedly the biggest in the world) to the Kalahari dessert and game viewing in Etosha National Park make it a wonderful holiday destination for lovers of the natural world.

When I went to Namibia I did a two-week self-drive holiday with my partner, starting and finishing in Windhoek. At each safari lodge I gave up my hire car in favor of being driven in a more suitable four-wheel drive vehicle with an experienced guide, although at the Etosha National Park it would have been possible to self-drive there too. I would however generally recommend taking the guide. I was hoping for a large 4x4 to drive myself through the dessert, as I had done in the outback in Australia recently, so I was bemused to be given VW Polo to traverse the hostile landscape. It, however, had no problems are the roads were really quite good.

Heinitzburg Hotel, Windhoek is a great place to stay at the beginning and end of a safari trip in Namiba (or Botswana which is easily accessible by small plane from here too) This splendid old castle which has been extended and converted into a luxury hotel, with a fine wine cellar, good food and a terrace with views over Windhoek. We briefly ventured into Windhoek (I had been before a few years earlier for a trip to the Okavango Delta and Chobe National Park in Botswana, Zambia and Zimbabwe) There are the usual African tourist shopping opportunities, but I didn't sample anything more cultural there.

We had our car delivered to the hotel and set off into the wilderness. Our first stop was Sossusvlei , four to five hours drive away, stopping only for a packed lunch provided by the hotel and to look at a few monkeys playing. The only other wildlife en-route being a few birds of prey. On arrival we stayed at Sossusvlei Wilderness Camp, a fantastic place to stay,

• 1
• 2
• Next Page >>