I started 2015 off with a wow heading to South Africa to write about a luxury safari experience and ended the year writing about a road trip across the American South. For 2016 I thought, why not get things rolling with a twofer? So here I am writing to you about Namibia where I’ve just returned from driving cross the country via its fabulously scenic network of roads, stopping along the way at lodges to take it all in.
This was my first time in Namibia, but not the greater southern Africa region. I’ve been heading down to this gorgeous part of the world since the mid 90s (and even lived in Mozambique for about a year) – always encountering enthusiastic folks insistent that I get to Namibia but never quite being able to take them up on their advice.
But now I’ve finally made it, and I can see what the fuss had been all about it.
Stick with me over the coming days as I share via a short series of posts my photos and highlights from one of the most spectacular and wildlife-rich landscapes I’ve ever seen.
Until my next post, please make note of these services and products that helped me get the most out of my trip.
My Namibian adventure began and ended in London with Heathrow airport transfers booked via the Addison Lee app. I’ve relied on Addison Lee, London’s largest fleet of minicabs, on several occasions and have always been pleased with the service. It’s my preferred choice for getting to/from London airports.
I flew economy with South African Airways from Heathrow to Johannesburg with a hop of a connecting flight via Hosea Kutako International Airport in the Namibian capital of Windhoek. Flights to/from Joburg were overnight.
At the airport in Windhoek I picked up my Nissan X Trail from Europcar. I clocked a lot of miles on this trip and the X Trail proved a good choice for comfortable and safe driving in a range of road conditions.
Flights, car and all accommodation were booked through luxury tour operator, Wexas Travel, who also designed my itinerary. With more than 40 years of experience in the industry, Wexas offers bespoke itineraries across the globe for the culturally curious.
If my trip sounds like the sort of adventure you’re craving you might consider its Namibia in Style Self-Drive, a 13-day self-drive across Namibia priced from £2,895 per person based on two people sharing with most meals included. The trip includes one night in Windhoek, one night in Okonjima, two nights in Etosha National Park, two nights in Damaraland, one night on the Skeleton Coast, one night in Swakopmund and two nights in Sossusvlei, return flights and 11-days hire of 4X4 double cab off-road vehicle which includes super cover. The offers is valid for travel year-round. Book by 29 February 2016. *The year-round price without the saving is from £3,295 per person.
A splendid place to kick off my trip and acclimate to the country, I spent the first night of my trip at the all-suite Olive Exclusive hotel in Windhoek. My junior suite was plenty spacious and featured a super king bed, high definition satellite TV, air conditioning, gas fireplace, laptop, complimentary Wi-Fi (with a strong signal) and fixed-line internet, Nespresso coffee machine, free standing bath, complimentary Port and sherry, a roomy and smartly designed luggage area and loads more amenities. Food at the Olive’s terraced restaurant was great too. An easy hotel to recommend, it would be my first choice for any return visit to Windhoek.
More than a few times during this trip, I was “out there” and off the grid. Keeping my phone and tablet charged up for easy access or any just in case moments (there were none) was my Groov-e Power Pack. Able to charge smart phones up to six times before needing to recharge, the Power Pack is the perfect accompaniment for long journeys and people on the go. It comes with a charging cable adaptable to both micro and mini USB, and with two USB ports it can charge two devices at the same time. Charging time can take under an hour. It functions as a handy (and fairly powerful) flashlight too. After this trip, the Groov-e Power Pack is now a mandatory in-the-bag item for all my travels.
Swarovski Optik CL Pocket Binoculars
As breathtaking as the Namibian landscape is and with the countless opportunities I had to view wildlife, I was glad to have packed my Swarovski Optik CL Pocket binoculars. The lightweight and foldable compact binoculars with individually adjustable twist-in eyecups offered my eager eyes a large field of view (357ft/119m) of exceptional optical quality.
Keep an eye out for more posts about my visit to Namibia. For details about this beautiful country go to namibiatourism.com.na.
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