Namibia – Wild Animals, Compelling Scenery & Haunting Beauty

A sunset in Namibia (Photo credit: Kristen McAdam)

Here’s what we did.

• We flew into Windhoek, the capital, and basically just got our bearings; it had taken 38 hours to get there from Vancouver. Also rented a car here – and started driving like the English – on the wrong side of the road. Windhoek is very westernized – with fantastic accommodation and lots of good restaurants. You’ll see just how good eating out in Namibia is. I passed on the local specialty though – kudu, a large horned deer like creature.
• A few days were allocated to visiting and climbing the outstanding dunes in Sossuvlei. You need to get up before sunrise – while it’s still frosty in the desert – so you can catch the magic hour for photos. Then you can easily spend hours climbing the dunes and exploring the salt pans.

The sand dunes of Sossuvlei

• The driving is easy around the country and the roads are not heavily traveled except around the big cities. Take the back roads and do some exploring – but carry extra water. Also be prepared to pay an attendant to watch your car in any city you stop in. If you don’t  - who knows what will happen. Look out for baboons and wild ostriches.
• Visit Swakopmund – a city that becomes a beach resort when it’s hot elsewhere around the country. It’s got good examples of German colonial architecture and you’ll hear about 25% of the locals – if you were counting – speaking German. The best thing we did here was go whale watching. It ranks as the best whale watching tour of our life. Period. Not only did we have up close experiences with whales for an extended period of time (~1 hour) but we enjoyed the pelicans flying alongside us, the dolphins surfing the waves behind us and the seal who hopped on board for a fish meal and a cuddle.

My daughter with a seal in her arms

Pelicans joining the trip to see whales (Photo credit: Kristen McAdam)

Pelicans - with the coolest coloured beaks (Photo credit: Kristen McAdam)

• See for yourself why the Skeleton Coast sports the name it does. Imagine getting shipwrecked, making it to shore – only to die of thirst.
• Try and find time to visit the Cape Cross sea colony on the Skeleton Coast, north of Swakopmund. You’ll smell the seals before you see them (Bring something to cover your nose because the smell is vile!). Look for foxes wandering around picking off the weak and injured too.

Seal colony off of the Skeleton Coast (Photo credit: Kristen McAdam)

• I wish I’d had time to visit the Fish River Canyon. It ranks as one of Africa’s great natural wonders. You’ll find solitude here if you take the time to backpack 100 kilometers over 5 days on a trail named one of the top treks in the world by Steve Razzetti.

Fish River Canyon (Photo credit: Kristen McAdam)

• The bird life in Namibia is outstanding and so different from anything we’d seen in North America. I particularly loved the weaver’s nests in the photo below. And the lilac breasted roller.

Weaver nests in Namibia

• Etosha National Park in the northern part of the country has loads of wildlife – especially around the watering holes in dry season. You can expect to see rhinos, elephants, lions, many types of antelope, giraffe, zebra, warthogs and more. There are great places to stay in the park – both high end and self catered. Allow at least three days here.

Wild lion

Elephants in Etosha National Park

Zebras in Etosha National Park

• Cultural interaction with the Himba Tribe in the north would be a thrill. Some tours will arrange trips to visit these friendly people – hopefully in a culturally sensitive way.

This list gives you an idea of just how much there is to do. Fortunately too, there are plenty of wonderful hotels in Namibia – from the full safari game lodge experience to intimate family hotels.

Namibia is one of those countries that you will think about long after you leave.

Have you been to Namibia? Where? What were the highlights for you?

Leigh McAdam

HikeBikeTravel

Photo credit: Dunes.

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