by Janis / 0 comments - Orginally published:20th February 2018
Safari, Sand & Sundowners.
When Gary and I were planning our Namibian road trip, we were slightly unsure if we were setting our expectations too high, in what we had hoped to see in this magnificent country.
Believe me; our wishes were surpassed tenfold and given the opportunity we would return again.
Your experiences will be different; however, you won’t be disappointed with the breath-taking country of Namibia.
Why not Pin it for later?
Our List ...
We'll be discovering the following;
- Sunrise over Sossusvlei
- Embark on a self-drive safari
- Visit Kolmanskop
- Explore the Skeleton Coast
- Meet the Desert Elephants
- Discover Fish River Canyon
- Look out for Etosha’s wildlife
- Visit Swakopmund
- Meet the locals at a Himba Village
- Experience a game drive day & night
- Explore the Kalahari Desert
- See the Eternal Night Sky
- Tour of the dunes
- Enjoy the perfect Sundowner
You can click on the link to jump to the section, and to return, just click on the title.
Sossusvlei and Deadvlei in the Namib Desert truly are surreal landscapes, although you may have seen many pictures of the eerie petrified trees and the incredible red dunes, it will still leave you speechless.
Tracks up Big Mamma
Gary and I chose to visit Big Daddy & Big Mamma with a group from our lodge, we climbed the dunes and watched the sunrise gradually unfold before us, it’s an experience we will never forget.
Baked in the desert, Sossusvlei
We chose a tour organised by our accommodation at Sossus Dune Lodge, which included breakfast after sunrise.
For more check out our post - 'Sossusvlei – The land that time forgot'
Driving Tip
If you are driving to Sossusvlei under your own steam, then heed the advice of others and reduce the air pressure in your tyres – we came across a group that’d regretted it!!!
For more details on driving in Namibia we have our post - 'The Hilux Briefing'
We cannot recommend enough renting your own truck, and experience a self-drive safari at your own pace. The terrain can be slow progress at times; however, if you factor this in, then it’s the best way to see the country.
The long road just outside Fish River Canyon
Like us, you can stay at lodges each night and enjoy a little luxury.
Then the following morning, hop back in your truck and tour the watering holes like an experienced ranger.
An elephant crossing sign at Grootberg, Damaraland
Truck Tips
- Opt for a 4X4;, you’ll need it!
- Request a long range fuel tank – fuel up regularly as petrol stations are few and far between.
- If you have the option, then request a fridge, you’ll be grateful for cold water. (Make sure you carry at least 2 litres of water per person)
- GPS will also come in handy, but it's not essential.
We used Advanced 4x4 Car Hire, and were very pleased with 'Heidi', our faithful Toyota Hilux.
Kolmanskop is a ghost town swallowed by sand; visiting here was definitely one of our highlights. The settlement was previously a diamond mining town that has since been deserted, and time and nature have taken over.
On the outskirts of town - Kolmanskop
Once you’ve entered the small town, you are free to wander and discover how the Namib Desert has moved in and reclaimed it.
Sand everywhere in Kolmanskop
It’s a bit eerie strolling amongst the abandoned homes and hospital, but equally fantastic that you’re allowed to just roam around on your own.
For a little more there our post - 'Kolmanskop - The gallery'
This is a harsh a part of the Atlantic Ocean coastline that takes no prisoners, many ships have come to their end along here.
Another victim of the skeleton coast just outside Swakopmund
Gary and I would have loved to spend more time here, but access is restricted, and to appreciate its full splendour, you need to take to the skies.
The skeleton coast at Sandwich Bay
If you're considering a road trip through Namibia, then your in for a holiday of a lifetime. I always find it incredibly useful to plan our trips with the help of a guide book.
Take a look at this informative Bradt guide, it will give you great tips and advice.
These beautiful creatures are now only found in Namibia and Mali, so when we were staying at Camp Kipwe in Kunene region of Namibia, we jumped at the chance to go on a game drive, to track them in their own remote environment.
An old bull elephant
There were only four of us in the truck, so the experience felt really personal; I’m sure it’s one we’d struggle to match again.
There are our posts - ‘Those Elusive Desert Elephants‘ & ‘Camp Kipwe‘ for more info.
Desert elephants in a family group
In the south of Namibia, and not too far from the South African border, is Africa’s largest canyon, ‘Fish River’. Here is where your 4X4 truck will come in handy, but it’s worth taking on the teeth-chattering terrain to reach it; the views across the plateau are stunning.
Traces of water at Fish River Canyon
This will take you to the southern end of Namibia, but it is worth it.
For more check out 'Fish River Canyon & the Roadhouse, Namibia'
The Etosha National Park is a must-visit if you have come to Namibia for the wildlife. Driving yourself from one watering hole to another, you’ll be amazed at the mixture of animals that you come across. We even caught a pride of lions basking in the afternoon sunshine; how lucky were we?
A pride of resting lions in Etosha
Just be cautious when driving through the park, as you are in their environment and when confronted with a bull elephant or a rhino, there will only be one winner.
For more There's our posts - 'Western Etosha & Dolomite Camp, Namibia' , 'Then there were lions, Namibia' & 'Then there was a rhino, Namibia'
A big bull elephant in Etosha
It was really good to see that the German colonial influence was still prominent in Swakopmund, not just with the colourful buildings but also with their cuisine.
It’s a bustling town and has an interesting, lively craft market, where you can bargain for your Namibian souvenirs.
The colonial past on display in Swakopmund
Swakopmund sits on the Atlantic Ocean and is a great place to base yourself to discover the Skeleton Coast and the Namib Desert tours.
There's our posts - 'Swakopmund and its hostile coastline', 'The Little 5, Living Desert tour, Namibia' and the 'Sandwich Harbour Tour, Namibia' for more details.
The old jetty at Swakopmund
Visiting the Himba people, being shown around their village, and learning their traditions are experiences Gary and I will never forget.
A tribal dance of the Himba
Very much off the beaten track, and in the northwest region of Namibia, these communities can only be visited as an organised tour; however, if you get the opportunity, you must jump at it.
Gifts for sale from the Himba people
The Himba are Nomadic and have since moved on from the village we visited. Still, you can find the latest from the Namibia Tourism website on how to organise a visit to these lovely people.
For a little bit more detail on our experience, then check out our post - 'The Himba People'
Namibia is a fantastic place to embark on your own self-drive safari, but equally, it’s also great fun to enjoy the experience of an organised game drive. The rangers are extremely knowledgeable and will take you to areas of the park that are not always accessible to your average visitor.
A young springbok spotted on the Morning Game Drive
We did a couple during the day. However, the night game drives are really interesting, tracking the nocturnal wildlife with a searchlight and hearing the soundtrack of the African nightlife come to life.
More details are available in our post - 'A Morning Game Drive, Kalahari Desert'
Ostrich guarding its nest
As part of our 3-week adventure, we stayed at the Bagatelle Kalahari Game Ranch. This was like a dream come true; planning the trip from our home in the UK and dreaming of the endless red sands of the Kalahari felt like a world away.
A roaming ostrich
From here we saw some fantastic wildlife, not quite your lions or rhinos but equally enjoyable.
For more on our stay, we have our post - 'Bagatelle Kalahari Game Ranch, Namibia'
Wildlife from our lodge in Bagatelle Kalahari Game Ranch
This probably goes without saying; however, the night sky in this part of the world is incredible. Without pollution, nor the intense light of larger cities, you can see a vast magnitude of stars, and even galaxies & nebula with the naked eye.
The night sky from our safari lodge
The Land Rover and the view, Living Desert Adventures
While we were based in Swakopmund, we joined a couple of tours to discover more of the unreachable scenery and learn about the wildlife that manages to survive in this terrain.
We chose the ‘Little 5’ Living Desert tour, which was run by a fantastic guide who was extremely informative and passionate about respecting his surroundings.
A Sand-diving lizard or Shovel Snouted lizard
Also, the Sandwich Harbour tour, which is for a full day, crosses the undulating dunes and visits a lost lagoon.
For more info on both experiences, catch our posts 'The Little 5, Living Desert tour, Namibia' and 'Sandwich Harbour Tour, Namibia'
Ernst goes for a drive.
Sundowners at Camp Kipwe
Is there any better way to finish your day than enjoying your favourite tipple under the African skies and watching the sunset across the desert?
Mine’s a G&T, please 🍸
One final time, for more on our time at Camp Kipwe then there's a post - 'Camp Kipwe, Twyfelfontein, Namibia'
Sundowners at the Bagatelle Kalahari Game Ranc
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