As per suggestion made by http://www.travelstart.co.za/blog/blogger-experience-contest/?utm_source=SocialMedia&utm_medium=facebook&utm_campaign=Facebook_wordstravel I am summarizing my Namibia experience!!!
And there we go...
Namibia was far one of the best experiences I've ever
had in my life, so far. The idea of going on this road trip just came out while
I was having a coffee with two other friends, in Cape Town, South Africa. After 5 minutes briefing, we made our decision and went for some amends: car, accommodation, route and safety. Nothing better than Google to help
us on that, right?.
After a few days, we had everything arranged and were ready to go. We
rented the cheapest and smallest car we could afford for, although that wasn’t the
best idea ever... due to the Namibian roads require stronger vehicles (I'd say). Here is a nice tip: I would suggest you to have a proper off-road car because you will be driving most likely on gravel roads … fortunately the car we
had was quite new, so that we didn’t have any mechanical issues.
We were all excited about going on this adventure when we left Cape Town, via N7. Our first stop would be at Cederberg, in a
fantastic camping side named Gecko Creek (with hot shower, a warm tend, free internet and a real, but scaring, wolf to make you some company,). We
spent our first night in there enjoying the brightest night sky
I've ever saw in my life.
| First Accommodation... camping side! |
| Making some new friends!!! |
We are now back on to N7, throughout the north of South Africa, when we drove pass the colorful Springbok. If you have some time, make a short stop-over in this charming and beautiful town.
Although the trip is quite long and extremely
tiring, the experience of crossing a country on the road is very pleasant.
Nevertheless, you have to be keep your ass in the car for many hours... so make sure you have some nice songs going on, unless you want to get bored.
When we reached the Namibian border, the immigration
process was nice and easy. Just keep your passport in hands (please check if you are
required a visa). Thereafter, fee of N$400 is mandatory in
order to drive on to the Namibian roads. Now that we were officially in Namibia, off we go to B1.
Namibia has got one of the most magnificent
landscapes I have ever seeing in my entire life. Though, please, be always ready with your camera at any time. As
there are just not so many towns along the way, I suggest you to keep your petrol always full whenever you find a gas station. The main cities you will find on your way are:
Keetmanshoop and Mariental (nice accommodation in Mariental ,peps)!
Regarding food, you may have a bit of a hard time here if you dont plan in advance… trust me, restaurants over there are like a paradise in the desert. So is always good to have some snacks with you, such as chocolate,
cookies and chips!
Our first spot was at Fish River
Canyon, in Ai-Ais National Park. Despite the road, it isn't too difficult
getting there, although you will definitely need a good GPS (I had Tom Tom).
Furthermore, patience is required, because all the way through Ai-Ais goes on a
hard gravel road.. nevertheless, the landscapes are worth the time and effort. As a National Park, of course, you must pay an entrance fee of
N$80 (we are speaking about the currency now). Once you're there, certainly you
will get astonished by such beauty... please, take your time and enjoy the
second biggest canyon in the world. Hey, don’t forget to take loads of pictures…
your folks should see it.
| Fish River Canyon - The second biggest in world. |
Regarding the currency, there is no need to
worry about it... Namibian Dolars are equivalent to South African Rands. As a matter of fact you can spend Rand (cash) in Namibia, however you would not be able to do the other way
around. My tip is to get few Namibian cash, in case you don’t have enough Rand.
After visiting Fish River Canyon, we started heading to our next
destination - the desert. That is the place where all the difficulty you may
face on this trip is completely worth. According with Google, the Namibian desert is one
of the eldest deserts on the Earth, as well as one of the most infertile ones
(only 1cm rain per year).
| Namibian Desert |
Once you are there, you will get the stunning beauty of the dunes, not talking about the nice little animals and plants you see there. My tip is: take your own tend and go for camping at the
National Park; that is the only way you may find, in order to watch both sunset
and sunrise on the dunes (That is a “must”).
Another thing: take yourself for a walk, but a long one …park your car at the shelter and go explore the desert, fearless.
Do not forget a bottle of water, something to bite and your camera. Another “must do” is visit The
Deadvlei… a valley where you will see the famous centuries petrified trees - it
is simply amazing... an unforgettable place.
Unfortunately, we couldn't spend too much time
over the desert, when we were back on the road, driving to Swakopmund.
Swakopmund is a small coastal town, which has
got a marvelous shore as well as a stunning ocean view. The most interesting
thing you can see over there is the desert ending up in the ocean… it is just
amazing. Once in Swakopmund, don’t expect any trace of nightlife... the town sleeps after 8:00 pm. During the day, I would suggest you to
have a walk through the town, visiting some touristic spots, taking some
photos, do shopping and eating something. My tip is to sleep over at Swakopmund Backpacker.
| Very german style... |
Our last destination in that amazing country was Windhoek, the capital.
| Windhoek |
Don’t expect a huge city; definitely that is not something
that you will find in Namibia… not even close. Although Windhoek is the
capital, the city is rather tiny. Folks over there are shy and most likely english,
afrikaans and german speakers. There is no nightlife at all, so my tip is to
have a good dinner at Joe’s Beer Restaurant… the place is really very nice,
with an alternative and funny decoration. Take your time and enjoy the
opportunity to have zebra meat (delicious!).
This is it guys... Namibia was a fairy-dream. I
have enjoyed each and every moment of that trip.
| Namibia Trip Company: Russia, Brazil and Chile!!! |







