a day ago
In Namibia, I find huge sand dunes, a massive canyon, amazing wildlife, spectacular sunrises and sunsets and … a ghost town
We asked Star readers to tell us about trips they have taken and to share their experience and advice:
Where? Namibia
When? February 2019
Trip Rating: 4.5 out of 5
What inspired you to take this trip? I went to Namibia as part of a sailing circumnavigation from 2016 to 2019. It was a planned port of call, about which I knew almost nothing. We arrived in Luderitz in the south of the country after a passage of four days from Cape Town, South Africa. Once there, I fell in love with the country after travelling to amazing sites and meeting friendly people.
What was the best sight? I can't choose a favourite. Standing on the edge of the Fish River Canyon, the largest in Africa, was amazing. In the middle of the desert, we visited rock carvings that were between 2,000 and 10,000 years old at Twyfelfontein, a UNESCO World Heritage site. At Kolmanskop, we explored a ghost town often used in movies. The water hole in Etosha National Park was an incredible spot to observe giraffes, zebras and black rhinos. Desert sunrises and sunsets were spectacular, especially in the dunes of Sossusvlei.
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What was your favourite activity? I have two favourites: watching the wildlife at Okaukuejo water hole in Etosha National Park, and climbing Big Mama Dune, which is, at around 60 storeys, the second tallest dune at Sossusvlei, in Namib-Naukluft National Park. The thrill of climbing the 200-metre sand dune, reaching the summit and looking out over the desert landscape made the sweat and exertion worthwhile. Unfortunately, my hiking shoes were destroyed by the hot sand and fell apart when I reached the flats below. I hobbled around taking pictures before resting in the shade.
What was the most delicious thing you ate? In Sossusvlei, we stayed at Desert Camp and had dinner and breakfast at Sossusvlei Lodge. The chef cooked whatever game meat you chose, and I chose zebra and hartebeest. Both were grilled to perfection and were delicious and unique choices. In many places, Namibia's German heritage was evident in the various restaurants, and I became an expert on chicken schnitzel.
What was the most memorable thing you learned? Namibia is a desert country, and water is at a premium everywhere. The desert makes it both beautiful and challenging, and yet we still saw wildlife in many places. What I found amazing was how much there was to see and do, and how few tourists were there. We felt safe everywhere we went, even in the most remote areas.
What is one piece of advice you'd give? The best way to see Namibia is to rent a car and drive to different sites. Guides are helpful at some locations. Pay extra for insurance, and make sure the rental car has a good spare tire. Always fill up with gas whenever you can, and take lots of water. The roads can be rough (we blew one tire and saw other vehicles have the same problem). It's important to book accommodation ahead of time, so you have a place to land each night. Namibia Wildlife Resorts has numerous options throughout the country, and we stayed at several, all of which were excellent.
Carol Letman, Mississauga, Ont.
HAVE YOU TAKEN A TRIP IN CANADA?
We've launched a series that invites Star readers to share places in Canada they've visited recently and would recommend, whether it's a weekend getaway in Elora, a Banff canoe trip, or a jaunt to Quebec City or Newfoundland. If you've been, loved it and want to tell us about it, we'd like to hear from you.
Email us with 'TRAVEL TIPS' in the subject line at travel@
Please include brief responses to these questions. If your holiday experience is chosen, we'll be in touch.
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1. Where did you go and when was it?
2. Where did you stay?
3. What was a highlight of your trip? Why?
4. Any travel tips?
