Namibia Experience – Self Drive African Adventure

Description

Namibia is a land of stunning scenery, dramatic mountain ranges, amazing wildlife and great adventure

We joined a tour of Namibia organised jointly by Self Drive Adventures and Vic Widman of Great Divide Tours and with a group of other Australians we were ready for adventure. We hired vehicles, set up with refrigerators, cooking equipment and roof top tents. So we were self-sufficient and set for adventure.

Our tour began in Windhoek, the capital of Namibia. From there we headed north for Etosha National Park. Here we found ourselves right in among the amazing wildlife, including springbok, zebra, elephant and rhinoceros.

From the plains of the national park, we headed north west to Puros, where we marvelled at the stunning views from the sand dune tops. From Puros we journeyed into the desert for some four-wheel drive adventure over rocky terrain. As it was slow travel, we camped in the desert overnight, which was an awesome experience.

The next night was spent at the resort in Palmwag. Although still camping, we had all amenities handy.

Coastal Namibia Experience

Now we turned west for the Skeleton Coast, where fishing is a favourite pastime. On our way to Henties Bay we visited the seal colony at Cape Cross. Hundreds of seals were either resting or surfing from the rocks in one small area here. There were also mother seals feeding their babies too.

Swakopmund is the main township on the west coast and we spent a couple of days exploring the area around there. Walvis Bay is another big town not far from Swakopmund. Flamingoes fossick in the lagoon at Walvis Bay.

Our Namibia experience included a quad bike tour over the dunes near Walvis Bay. Our guide, experienced naturalist Fanie DePreez of Kuiseb Delta Adventures, introduced us to the smaller desert fauna, including dung beetles, tiny mice and desert fruits.

The shifting sands of the Kuiseb Delta expose a large area revealing hundreds of ancient footprints, both animal and human. Fanie showed the travellers a burial site, at least 2000 years old.

From the coast, we headed for Sesriem and the dunes of Sossusvlei, arguably the tallest in the world.

And finally we travelled through the steepest pass in Namibia. Because it is so steep the road is paved, not tarred. Our last campsite was tucked in among some huge boulders which were populated by rock dassies, a furry animal of approximately 3 to 4 kilograms.

Namibia is a land of stunning scenery, of rocky deserts and sandy coastline, of amazing wildlife, creative campsites and friendly people and you can see it all in our latest video Namibia Experience: a Self Drive African Adventure.