Namibia, a land of Africa flooded with light by a southern sun, is of astonishing beauty. Its very varied landscapes, although all arid, are of a breathtaking splendour. Namibia offers a remarkably professionally organised discovery and adventure tourism, and has the advantage of being a stable and medically safe destination.
Travelling to Namibia
With the necessary budget, it is possible to afford a flying safari, the most prestigious sites being connected by small planes and taxis. Welcome to the world of lodges! These charming structures blend into their surroundings and offer, in addition to accommodation, activities focused on discovering nature. In this category, comfort is maximum. The service is personalized, the rooms, offering magnificent views, compete in refinement, and the chefs, capable of miracles in the bush, serve delicious meals. The schedule is skillfully balanced, alternating between rest and discovery of the place.
The trip will be cheaper by car and by choosing charming hotels and game farms. These farms, which have wild animals on their land, and which have been converted partly for tourist purposes, offer an excellent service : clean rooms and neat decoration, varied and complete meals
For small budgets, campsites are present throughout the country and are generally very well maintained and friendly. The camps offer a privileged contact with nature. They can be found in national parks, on private farms or in village communities
South in the Kalahari
When arriving in Windhoek, the traveller is first struck by this capital which corresponds so little to the preconceived image of the continent. Modern, with its German architectural style, apparent richness and sparkling cleanliness, the city centre where most of the hotels are located can be visited in a few hours. With 300 days of sunshine per year, Windhoek is a great place to live. There are many restaurants, hotels to suit all budgets and everything you need to finalize the preparation of your trip
On the way south, we discover the landscapes of the Kalahari. A vast semi-desert beyond the country's borders, it is the ancestral land of the San people, famous Bushmen nomads who are world-renowned for their media coverage in the film "Les Dieux sont tombés sur la tête". At the first sunset, we fully appreciate the vastness of this wild territory. Europe is now very far away.
Continuing southward, we reach the amazing site of the Kokerboom forest, quiver trees whose hollowed bark serves as arrowheads for the Bushman hunter. Not far away, a chaos of rocks, judiciously named the Giant Playground, offers the opportunity for a pleasant stroll at sunset. The damans, resembling small marmots, yet closer living cousins of the elephant, are the masters of the place.
Bending to the southwest, it is the direction of Africa's largest canyon, carved by the Fish River. Great. Great. This region, where Afrikaan pioneer families settled, is reminiscent of the Great American West. Walkers can hike a few days at the bottom of the canyon. For the others, the arranged viewpoint will allow them to travel leaning on the railing
Crossing the Namib Desert
Full west, we head towards Lüderitz, a small port on the Atlantic Ocean with Germanic accents. On the way, we cross the southern part of the Namib Desert. The landscape is stony and incredibly empty. Yet in this inhospitable environment, horses can sometimes be seen returning to the wild. Arriving in Lüderitz, a new change of scenery. The fog invades the fishing port and we take the opportunity to enjoy a lobster dish with a view of the sea
On a clear day, the peninsula's lunar landscapes offer a beautiful excursion to its wind-blown bays, where sea lions and penguins play in the waves. An old whaling base reminds us that marine mammals regularly return here.
Leaving this unlikely port, we quickly find the desert and the ghost town of Kolmanskop. Now invaded by sand, this ancient city housed diamond researchers from Europe. The area is now under government control.
After a few hours driving northeast, we enter the Pro-Namib. This semi-desert region borders the east of the oldest desert in the world. From one of the host farms or in the Namib Rand Nature Reserve, you can participate in a guided hike from a few hours to a few days, for a total immersion in these sublime landscapes, between arid mountains and dune seas. The fauna and flora have adapted remarkably well, as has this beetle, the tok-tokkkie, which, in the early morning, is placed at the top of the dunes to collect dew. The oryx, a majestic antelope, is the queen of the area.
A few more hours of driving before entering the picture. The Sesriem section of the Namib National Park, partially open to the public, preserves the famous Sossusvlei. It is the site of the highest dunes in the world with the basin at its foot occasionally crossed by the Tsauchab River. Not far away, about a fifteen-minute walk away, is the Deadvlei. Blindingly white, surrounded by orange dunes, this dry basin, where dead trees are frozen by the salt crust, is a monument for photographers.
Detour by the ocean
On the way to the sea: Walvis Bay and Swakopmund are two pleasant seaside resorts, between dunes and Atlantic. Few Europeans will taste its very fresh waters. On the other hand, its beaches provide an opportunity for well-deserved relaxation. The marine safari, departing from Walvis Bay Harbour, will delight children and their parents. This boat trip of a few hours allows you to observe sea lions, dolphins, pelicans and cormorants very closely. This outing can be cleverly combined with a 4x4 excursion to Sandwich Harbour, an old port engulfed by the dunes, now a paradise for seabirds. For athletes, the region is a reference in terms of outdoor activities. On the program: sand-boarding, sand yacht, freefall or kitesurfing.
Starting from Swakopmund airfield, a flyover of the coast helps to understand why it is called "Skeleton Coast". Over hundreds of kilometres, shipwrecks of ships stranded in recent centuries are gradually being eaten away by the sand. Then we reach Cape Cross, home to a colony of Cape fur seals. The coast is also a must for sports fishermen: sharks are caught and released from the beach.
A final of choice: Damaraland and Etosha
Turning his back on the Ocean, a new region: Damaraland. Its people, the Damara, are particularly welcoming. Its fauna and flora are fascinating, including its famous elephants and desert rhinos. Its landscapes are always more magnificent at every turn: the Brandberg massif, a geologists' paradise, the Spitzkoppe, a challenge for climbers or Twyfelfontein and its rock carvings are among the most famous sites
Leaving Damaraland, you end your journey in a spectacular way in a high place of African wildlife, Etosha National Park. Its huge salt pans (or dry lakes) form a unique landscape. The slopes are excellent and it is obviously important to respect all safety rules, especially when approaching animals. Elephants and rhinos are impressive because of their size in this flat landscape. Giraffes, zebras, wildebeests and springboks, which have already been seen all over the country, complete the ranks of the large herbivores. On the carnivorous side, lions, cheetahs, leopards, hyenas and jackals are also very present, although more discreet. From Etosha, you can go back to Windhoek in a few hours to catch your plane, with images in your head. An unforgettable trip!
Smart info
When? When? Sporadic rains from November to March, dry season from April to October. The Board futé : April-June and September-October.
Getting there. From French-speaking countries, you have to go through Johannesburg and then take a connection to Windhoek
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