Wild, empty and beautiful country with wildlife to be seen in many areas.
We spent just over 3 weeks in Namibia travelling around in a SUV and staying in a variety of accomodations from top end lodges to campsites. We went in Jan/Feb 2011 and it was the wet season. The rains were heavier this year than normal so caused a few problems with driving around. A high clearance vehicle is recommended at this time of year as there are several rivers to cross. The days are warm, with occasional sharp showers.
We headed north from Windhoek and stayed at Aloe Grove safari lodge. We were the only guests and were treated to an individual safari experience with the owners family where we saw leopard, cheetah, lion and lots of various antelopes.
We next headed to the Cheetah conservation fund where we learnt a lot about the conflict between farmers and environmentalists.
Next spent 3 days at Etosha NP. There was a great variety of animals to be seen but no elephants at this time of year. Birdlife was good.
Headed to the Namib Naukluft NP where we went on a desert adventure with Tommy's tours. Great fun, educational trip where you get to see small desert creatures and drive over high dunes.
We went to the Fish river canyon and to Ai Ais thermal springs in the south of the country. Heading back to Windhoek we stopped at the quiver tree forest just outside Keetmanshoop. Here we had another cheetah experience which was great value as was included in the camping and entrance fee. The Hardap dam is another good place for spotting wildlife.
We only had one other trip - a walk around the Sossussvlei area - very remote and beautiful. In Feb 2011, they had a lot of rain so we saw the dunes with grass growing on them and flooding in the area making for a unique experience.
The scenery in Namibia is superb, the roads are empty and in most places are in good condition (most are gravel). It's a good idea to take plenty water, food and plan for delays. We booked very little in advance and just went with the flow. Nowhere we went disappointed.
Our favourite places would be Etosha, Spitzkoppe, Sossussvlei, the fish river canyon and lake Oanub. Food was excellent in Windhoek and Swakopmund and in the good lodges. Sometimes the choice was limited in other locations. All campsites come well equipped with BBQ, so we tended to cook ourselves when in remoter places.
Photos from our trip are posted on http://www.flickr.com/photos/racheldunsdon/ check out under Namibia and wildlife.
50-65 years of age
Review about Namib-Naukluft National Park by Jangles_11
You don't need a guided tour in this area and it is malaria free
NL
20-35 years of age
Review about Namib-Naukluft National Park by pjrinkel
This pars has beautiful scenery, it is gorgeous! The wildlife is not so easy to spot here, but we have seen some!
NL
20-35 years of age
Review about Etosha National Park by pjrinkel
We've seen the most animals in this NP. It was absolutely fabulous! The park is quite flat, Ethosha pan is beautiful.
NL
20-35 years of age
Review about |Ai-|Ais Richtersveld Transfrontier Park by pjrinkel
The scenery is very special here. But also not so easy to see all of the wildlife.
Review about Etosha National Park by Rachel Dunsdon
We were there in the wet season, still plenty to see including lots of new born animals. Advantage was the quiet roads and camps.
20-35 years of age
Review about Namibia by Phil Stronge
An incredible country, one of my favourite destinations in the world.
A Place to go!
it's a place where everyone should go. You live in close contact with nature, you sleep in the middle of the park and when you wake up in the morning you realize you're in a kind of paradise. The food, the transportation and the guide are really ok... and also the weather (I went there on december) was ok.
A place to go!
20-35 years of age
Review about Namib-Naukluft National Park by Phil Stronge
Stunning and beautiful, limited for wildlife, you may see an Oryx, an Ostrich or some antelope, but very luck to see anything else. The incredible landscape makes up for the lack of wildlife.