NAMIBIA'S RECIPE
Preparing time:
25 days on spot, or 4844 kms travelled
Cooking time:
82 hours spent in 17 different transports
Ingredients:
1 boat
2 minibuses
2 4x4 (including 1 rental)
2 combi-vans
9 taxis
1 quad
Seasonings:
1 hitchhiking trial when we arrived in Namibia
4 ears explosions in a local carpool
3638 kilometers of a self-driving roadtrip including:
3 moments we forgot to drive on the left-side
10 wipers’ activation instead of flashers’ activation
2 giraffes by the road
1 Google Maps navigation on an off road, followed by
1 mini collision on a rock exiting a ravine (ravin)
0 (!!) flat tyres (!!)
2 days of flood in the south (the strongest in 10 years) provoking:
4 hours of hike in the moving sands before reaching the Namib desert because the road got transformed in a river
3 rivers crossing by 4x4
1 flip-flop rescue that got caught by water
1 reasoned U-turn because of a too important current
2 nights tenting in Etosha National Park in the middle of very talkative animals
1 sea lion on our knees
1 butterfly swim to get down a dune
4 original culinary meals including:
2 oryx meatballs
1 zebra piece cooked on a braai (local barbecue)
2 springboks samosas
4 of the best oysters in the world
1 departure from Namibia rushed up to be able to stop in France including:
2 hours of waiting in front of an empty Airbnb
15 calls (at least) to Lufthansa & Cie to keep us posted on the new restrictions
1 airport confusion
Method (overview):
WINDHOEK
Familiarizing ourselves to the developed city of Windhoek and the Namibian culture
Preparation of a road trip around the country with a 4x4 and a roof tent
ETOSHA NATIONAL PARK
3 days of self-drive safari in the biggest game reserve of the country, looking for wild animals (lions, rhinos, giraffes, hyenas, zebras, antelopes…) and beautiful landscapes
DAMARALAND
Disconnecting at the wonderful Hais Ra Tented Camp
Contemplating the petrified forest
Visiting Twyfelfontein and its ancient engravings
Camping at the foot of the Brandberg mountain
Wandering around the rocks of Spitzkoppe
SWAKOPMUND
Strolling in the colorful streets of this coastal city
WALVIS BAY
Navigating by catamaran on the Atlantic to observe dolphins, sea lions, pelicans, and taste the best oysters in the world
Organizing an excursion by 4x4 in Sandwich Harbour, where the dunes meet the ocean
Getting a shot of adrenaline by doing a quad tour in the dunes
NAMIB-NAUKLUFT NATIONAL PARK
Crossing through the Naukluft mountains and its colorful landscapes
Hiking in the most beautiful dunes of the Namib desert and getting amazed by the extraordinary decor of the dead trees of Deadvlei
LÜDERITZ
Discovering the peninsula and enjoying the city’s tranquility
Visiting the ghost-town of Kolmanskop, once luxurious thanks to the diamonds exploitation
AUS
Observing the Namibian wild horses
Sleeping under the stars at Klein-Aus Vista
WINDHOEK
Getting a volunteering experience in a farm aiming at helping disabled children (zootherapy, hydrotherapy, etc). Available HERE.
L'addition (pour 2): 1998€
Positive feedback:
The sensation of freedom offered by the possibility to travel independently
The camping infrastructures, well maintained and benefitting from the adjacent lodges services
The landscape diversity (desert, mountains, ocean, rural areas, colorful cities, national parks…)
The feeling of being tiny in front of a nature that dominates humankind
Negative feedback:
Significant budget
The striking economic inequalities: the well-developed cities and touristic sites, next to the neglected and extremely rough slums
The lack of public transports
To go further and read the recipe's full details, click HERE !
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