I’ve just returned from this wonderfully varied tour and here is my review.
During our journey of over 2,600kms we explored the Namib Desert, climbed one of the highest sand dunes on earth, enjoyed a catamaran cruise in the company of pelicans and seals whilst staying in the coastal city of Swakopmund, discovered ancient rock art, local tribes and petrified trees before finally experiencing the wonder that is Etosha National Park.
The hotels and lodges were all of a good standard, in particular the Strand Hotel in Swakopmund, set as it was right on the seafront, and the lovely Mokuti Lodge situated just 2km from the Etosha National Park boundary. In between, the location of the Namib Desert Lodge, set at the foot of the petrified dunes, was a delight. From here you can venture out into the desert on well marked nature trails, only stopping to investigate the nest of a sociable weaver bird or watch Oryx in the distance before returning to the welcoming confines of the lodge. Accommodation at the Damara Mopane Lodge comes in the form of individual chalets, each complete with its own vegetable patch, whilst there is a small watering hole at the Etosha Safari Lodge where, if you’re lucky, a few animals will congregate to drink - a great place for a sundowner!
If you’re desperate to keep in touch with the outside world then prepare to be disappointed, because the free WiFi is only available in reception and the signal is intermittent at best. But hey...when you’ve got such amazing scenery to look at - who cares!
Etosha National Park was, for many, the highlight of the tour where we saw impala, springbok, wildebeest, a ground squirrel that thought it was a meerkat, the rare black rhino together with huge herds of zebra and elephants. But best of all was the sight of 3 lionesses stalking a herd of wildebeest. The wildebeest at first scattered, but then closed ranks. A stand-off ensued and the lionesses, realising that they had been spotted, and faced with a ‘shield wall’ of impressive horns, had to slink away.
All too soon we were back in our hotel at Windhoek, scarcely being able to believe that we had seen and done so much. It seemed such a long time since we had originally made landfall in that same hotel just 11 days previously. This had been a fabulous tour and one which I can wholeheartedly recommend.
Top Tips: If you’re travelling at this time of year remember that it’s their winter. The days were hot and sunny throughout, but early mornings and evenings are bitterly cold! Bring jumpers, a warm fleece (or even something more substantial) and a woolly hat to cover your head on those early morning starts.
Bring a torch. Some of the rooms at the lodges can be a good walk from the main building, so the extra illumination will be useful
Finally, it’s ‘thank you time’. Thank you to our wonderful TM Lynne Maskell for both her company and expertise. A huge thank you also to our driver/local guide Leonard (yes, this is one guy who CAN multi-task!) who simply excelled himself each and every day with his vast knowledge of his country, it’s peoples and it’s wildlife. Thank you too, to my travelling companions Eric, Colin, John, Janet, Wendy, Angie, Kate, Louise, Katy, Richard, Billie, Naomi et all. I hope we meet again.
If anyone has any questions regarding the tour, I’ll do my best to answer them.
Mike
