Where to see the big 5 on safari in Southern Africa (and why leopards don’t exist)

One of the highlights of Africa, these are the best places to see the big 5 while on safari in Southern Africa. Including which animals to look out for and where are the best national parks.

Continue ReadingWhere to see the big 5 on safari in Southern Africa (and why leopards don’t exist)

12 days, 5,453 km, 4 countries, 2 tents, and another VW: Part Two

To read the first part of our African road trip click here.

While we were in Maun we had some free time so decided to take advantage and plan our onward route. Louise had to be in Windhoek in a couple of days and was planning to take a bus from Maun, whereas myself and Céline were hoping to go to Kgalagadi National Park. Unfortunately that appeared impossible from the Botswana side without a 4×4. We’re gonna need some bigger tyres for the Polo!

(more…)

Continue Reading12 days, 5,453 km, 4 countries, 2 tents, and another VW: Part Two

12 days, 5,453 km, 4 countries, 2 tents, and another VW: Part One

I’d been back in Windhoek barely an hour after my week exploring some of the highlights of Namibia when the next part of my Southern Africa trip began. I was chatting to the people in my dorm when I met Céline, a girl from Belgium who was travelling alone and happened to have a rental car. As we talked it appeared we had similar plans and she asked if I’d like to join her.

(more…)

Continue Reading12 days, 5,453 km, 4 countries, 2 tents, and another VW: Part One

Etosha National Park: Elephant Bullies and Noisy Rhinos

As part of my week-long tour around the best of Namibia I visited Etosha National Park. This was my first African safari experience and the clear highlight of the week. I had two nights there with Benjamin, my guide, arriving mid afternoon at Namutoni on the east side for our first camp.

(more…)

Continue ReadingEtosha National Park: Elephant Bullies and Noisy Rhinos

Namibia Part 2: R Kelly and a VW Viva

After eventually leaving Swarkopmund the guides I was supposed to meet in Usakos hadn’t arrived yet. Instead we met them further along towards Windhoek at a random gas station. I had already met one of them, Kefas, from a couple of tours in Windhoek and now I was introduced to Benjamin.

(more…)

Continue ReadingNamibia Part 2: R Kelly and a VW Viva

Namibia Part 1: Germans, taxis and sand dunes

Namibia was my first real taste of Africa and somewhere I’d been wanting to go for a few years. I just wasn’t entirely sure what I wanted to do there. I’d read about Etosha National Park in the north, but other than that I had no idea what there was to see. In Windhoek I found a company that booked excursions and they organised a whole week of activities for me, including Etosha, together with accommodation, transport and some meals. The plan was altered on pretty much a daily basis after this. In fact, on the day I was supposed to leave the plan changed so I would be doing it the opposite way round. For a very German country, organisation is not a strong point.

(more…)

Continue ReadingNamibia Part 1: Germans, taxis and sand dunes

A guide to Windhoek

I spent more time in the Namibian capital than I’d have preferred or recommend but that at least allows me to give a decent guide to the place. I landed in Windhoek airport, which is a whole 45km from the actual city, pretty late so didn’t get first look around until the following day. At which point my first task was to find out what there was to do. (more…)

Continue ReadingA guide to Windhoek

Travelling Namibia: The Germany of Africa

Namibia had been on my travel list since I met a Belgian girl who’d lived there for 8 months and described it as “Africa for beginners”. With the other continents visited it was time to see some of Africa. Earlier in the year I’d spent a week in Morocco and then a few days in Cape Town. However, the first is more Arabic Africa whereas the other has a very European feel to it. I flew to Windhoek, the capital, and while it’s a big city it also immediately felt more African. And very German! (more…)

Continue ReadingTravelling Namibia: The Germany of Africa