Namibia is a rustic of superlative adventures. Hope this street journey submit we did greater than a decade in the past throughout this sparsely populated nation sparks your wanderlust!
Why a street journey throughout Namibia, chances are you’ll ask?
- View the second largest canyon on the earth after the Grand Canyon, USA.
- Residence to among the largest dunes on the earth
- An opportunity to see the white rhinos, among the final on the earth.
- Traipsing throughout the oldest desert on the earth.
- The surreal Deadvlei: the cracked earth has not seen water in a thousand years!
Namibia makes for a spectacular street journey!
Namibia doesn’t come to thoughts instantly if you consider your first street journey to the African continent.
I’m not fairly positive how we got here to determine on a 10-day street journey on this nation with the world’s oldest desert, Namib. However the dramatic desert landscapes with purple dunes, beautiful sky-scapes with hundreds of stars, wildlife at Etosha Nationwide Park, and infinite stretches of untamed surroundings made it a memorable journey.
Locations to go to on a street journey throughout Namibia
Our 2-week street journey throughout Namibia with G Adventures began in Cape City.
We traveled north, first to a picturesque seaside village named Lambert’s Bay. Assume white seashores, blue sea, and good seafood.
After which we crossed the border from South Africa into Namibia and settled in for a relaxed day alongside Orange River. After the glamorous Cape City, Namibia was wilderness at its finest.
Orange River is the longest river in South Africa, bordering Namibia.
Fish River Canyon and Sesreim Gorge
From right here on, the dramatic landscapes and infinite surroundings of Namibia started. You can do that street journey by renting a automobile and driving your self, however for us, Namibia – a decade in the past – appeared like infinite stretches of street with not a lot habitation and we have been completely happy to go for a small group tour.
Our journey to Namibia was a lot earlier than the majestic wonders of the Grand Canyon. So the primary view of Fish River Canyon, Africa’s largest and the world’s second largest was awe-inspiring! The Fish River is 800 kilometers lengthy and thus the longest river in Namibia.
The Fish River Canyon is 161 km lengthy, 27 km extensive and as much as 550m deep.
Simply earlier than the well-known dunes of Sossusvlei, we stopped at one other Canyon. Sesreim Canyon is a pure gorge carved tens of millions of years in the past. It’s roughly about 1km lengthy with a width that ranges between one and three meters extensive.
The title Sesriem is derived from the Dutch/Afrikaans phrases for “six belt”
Namib Desert: Sossusvlei and Deadvlei
Now I’ve been to a few desserts – Wahiba Sands in Oman and the Thar desert in Jaisalmer – however there may be nothing just like the Namib Desert. Namib is among the most unbelievable deserts in Africa. The Sossusvlei is the enduring a part of the Namib Desert with among the world’s highest dunes.
It’s a uncommon place the place the desert meets the ocean. It is usually one of many driest locations on earth. Curiously Namib will get its water provide from the fog that rolls up on virtually 180 days in a 12 months.
The favored Dune 45.
We primarily based ourselves within the historic city of Swakopmund. The day was filled with adventures: climbing Dune 45 (80 m), though bragging rights belong to those who try to climb the Massive Daddy (325 m)!
We additionally had enjoyable on a quad bike and sandboarding within the desert.
The wildlife of the Namib Desert are distinctive.
There are infinite adventures to be skilled within the Namib Desert. However essentially the most surreal of them was not an journey exercise. It was the sight of Deadvlei, or ‘lifeless marsh’.
I could also be smiling, nevertheless it was robust to take a seat on the new baking sand to pose!
Think about strolling into a big round white clay pan, with cracked earth that has not seen water in a thousand years.
The camel thorn bushes are a surprising distinction to the white clay pan flooring. Deadvlei is a paradise for photographers because the distinction between the pitch-black bushes, bleached-white pans, the rusty purple dunes, and the deep blue sky make for unbelievable photographs.
Etosha Nationwide Park
So it had rained simply earlier than we went to Etosha Nationwide Park. That meant extra greenery than what you’ll usually see at Etosha and it additionally meant far fewer sightings of wildlife. Nonetheless, the array of animals in Etosha made the safaris worthwhile. Etosha Nationwide Park is amongst the highest wildlife-viewing locations in Africa.
I had by no means seen a giraffe in actual life earlier than Etosha!
The wildlife sightings have been additionally very totally different than those that I’ve encountered within the Nationwide Parks in India or Sri Lanka that I’ve visited.
Wildebeest have been a lot at Etosha.
The rain ensured loads of greenery throughout.
Our street journey resulted in Windhoek, the capital metropolis of Namibia. The huge open landscapes, infinite stretches of roads, and out of doors actions have left us with such an unbelievable, candy style of Namibia.
Namibia might be visited all year long, although the perfect season to go to is from June to October. Take your finest digital camera gear and sense of journey with you!
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Shweta has at all times been enthusiastic about journey and immersing in new experiences. Having been to over 45 international locations, she blogs at Zest In A Tote to carry family-friendly itineraries and suggestions, locations, and luxurious stays to her readers.
Her perception in household journey needn’t be boring and one can do a mixture of native tradition & meals, journey actions, and leisure, all with household.
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