Our African overland adventure included Namibia, a south-western African country, known for its amazing scenery and wildlife. In fact some describe this country as an adventurer's paradise. Just in case your future plans include a Namibian adventure here are Spaswinefood's top recommendations:
1. Etosha National Park
We were so fortunate that our overland adventure included stopovers at Etosha's Okaukuejo and Namutoni campsites. After entering Etosha National Park we stayed at Okaukuejo Camp. This camp is particularly spectacular, as it overlooks a floodlit waterhole visited by many different species throughout the day and night. In addition to camping the park offering a variety of accommodations, plus there are also shops and a restaurant.
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| Etosha National Park © Spaswinefood |
Given that we stayed at two campsites at opposite ends of the park we saw many animals during our visit.
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| Hartmann's Mountain Zebras, Etosha National Park © Spaswinefood |
Located in northern Namibia the park draws visitors from around the world. Etosha is home to a wide range of wildlife. This includes all the big carnivores and five rare or endangered species: black rhino, Hartmann's mountain zebra, black-faced impala, roan antelope and the tiny Damara dik-dik.
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| Waterhole, Etosha National Park © Spaswinefood |
Game viewing at Etosha is relatively easy due to the man-made waterholes and the large sparsely vegetated pans. The bushland surrounding the pans can be difficult to see through. However, there are enough clearings, pans and waterholes to allow for sightings.
Our second night at Etosha we stayed at Namutoni Camp.
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| Camp Namutoni before Sunrise © Spaswinefood |
Next morning we rose before sunrise. It was a spectacular sunrise. What a great way to start a new day on the road.
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| Sunrise at Camp Namutoni © Spaswinefood |
2. Spitzkoppe
After leaving Etosha National Park we traveled over 400 km to Spitzkoppe. Along the route we stopped for a picnic lunch, which were always a welcoming break during our overland travels. It was always a treat to get down from the truck and check out the local surroundings. Further along the jagged peaks of Spitzkoppe appeared on the horizon. Spitzkoppe, known as the Matterhorn of Namibia, is located between Usakos and Swakopmund in the Namib Desert. The meaning of Spitzkoppe in German is pointed dome. Its granite peaks at its highest reaches 1784 meters (5857 feet), and 700 meters above the desert floor.
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| Enroute to Spitzkoppe, Namibia © Spaswinefood |
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| Spitzkoppe's Pointed Peaks © Spaswinefood |
When we arrived at campsite we set up our tents near some granite boulders. From our campsite we enjoyed stunning views in this desert setting.
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| Camping at Spitzkoppe © Spaswinefood |
This place has spectacular geology. After our tents were setup there was time for hiking and exploring the granite boulders and caves. There is also Bushmen artwork to view at Spitzkoppe.
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| Spitzkoppe Shadows © Spaswinefood |
The ever changing light and shadows at Spitzkoppe are absolutely amazing.
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| Sunset at Spitzkoppe © Spaswinefood |
Sunset that evening was especially beautiful. I sat high on granite outcrop and watched the sunset. When dusk settled in over Spitzkoppe it was time to return to camp for dinner.
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| Dust at Spitzkoppe © Spaswinefood |
3. Cape Cross Seal Reserve
Next it was onto Cape Cross to visit the Cape Cross Seal Colony. Cape Cross is a small headland in the South Atlantic on the Skeleton Coast. The Skeleton Coast gets its name from the numerous shipwrecks found there.
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| Cape Cross Monument, Namibia © Spaswinefood |
Diego Cão, a Portuguese explorer, in 1485 erected a cross upon a stone pillar claiming the land for Portugal. The area went unnoticed until the Germans took possession in 1883-84.
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| Cape Cross, Namibia © Spaswinefood |
We stopped to view the historic landmark.
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| Cape Cross Landmark © Spaswinefood |
Then it was onwards to the ocean to view the seals. Cape Cross is home to the Cape fur seals, which are only found on the coastline of Southern Africa.
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| Off to Visit the Cape Cross Seal Colony © Spaswinefood |
There is a platform area to view the seals.
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| Viewing the Cape Cross Seal Colony © Spaswinefood |
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| Seal Colony, Cape Cross © Spaswinefood |
It you time permits consider spending more time exploring the Skeleton Coast. In our case from Cape Cross it was onto Swakopmund.
4. Swakopmund
Swakopmund, a popular holiday destination, means "mouth of Swakop" in German. The town gets its name from its location, which at the mouth of Swakop River. Namibia's largest coastal town is well positioned on the western coastline, 280 km (170 miles) west of the capital city, Windhoek. All in all, when we arrived in Swakopmund I was looking forward to a change of pace. While most of my fellow travelers headed for activities on the sand dunes, skydiving and more this adventurer was off to explore the Spaswinefood scene in Namibia's popular ocean side town.
You will have no problem finding good food and wine in Swakopmund. Wine shops and restaurants offer an excellent selection of South African wines. Here are a few.
Bojos Cafe
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| Bojos Cafe, Swakopmund © Spaswinefood |
It was late afternoon when we discovered the Bojos Cafe. After quickly surveying Bojo’s menu we ordered lunch.
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| Lunch Special, Bojos Cafe © Spaswinefood |
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| Quiche, Bojos Cafe © Spaswinefood |
We also returned there one morning of breakfast.
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| Breakfast, Bojos Cafe © Spaswinefood |
The café offers Wi-Fi to its dinners, as noted in the following display:
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Bojo Cafe, Swakopmund © Spaswinefood
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The Bojos Cafe was indeed a great find.
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| Street Side Dining, Bojos Cafe © Spaswinefood |
Village Café
Some of our fellow travelers reported that the Village Café was great place for Wi-Fi, with good coffee and baked goods. Naturally we gave it a try.
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| Breakfast, Village Café © Spaswinefood |
After an early morning walk we dropped in for breakfast coffee and baked goods. We enjoyed our breakfast. They have special tea, called Rooibos, which is red herbal tea grown in South Africa.
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| The Tug, Swakopmund © Spaswinefood |
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| The Tug © Spaswinefood |
The Tug located across from the ocean’s edge, near the wharf was a great find. The evening we visited we ordered appetizers and wine.
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| Dining at The Tug © Spaswinefood |
Regrettably, we arrived as the sun was setting and so we did not get to view the sunset while dining. I would recommend that you arrive in time to view the sunset over the ocean. As we walked to The Tug that evening in fact I did manage to capture a few photos of the sunset over the Atlantic.
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Swakopmund Sunset © Spaswinefood
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I managed to capture a photo of both The Tug (on the right) and The Jetty (on the left).
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| Late Evening, Swakopmund © Spaswinefood |
The Jetty
Of all the Swakopmund restaurants we visited in The Jetty stands out. The evening we dined at The Jetty the sun had already set.
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The Jetty after Sunset © Spaswinefood
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| Entrance to the Pier at The Jetty© Spaswinefood |
Even though it was getting dark when we walked the pier out to The Jetty the lightning was awesome.
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| Walking to The Jetty © Spaswinefood |
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| The Pier at The Jetty Restaurant © Spaswinefood |
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| Entrance to The Jetty © Spaswinefood |
Even at the end of winter's day there were ocean views all around. Its open kitchen also added to the overall ambiance of the restaurant.
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| Jetty Restaurant © Spaswinefood |
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| Open Kitchen, The Jetty © Spaswinefood |
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| Dining at the Jetty Restaurant © Spaswinefood |
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| Diner at The Jetty Restaurant © Spaswinefood |
It was an evening to try some wines.
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| Bergkelder Selection, Fleur Du Cap, Shiraz 2012 © Spaswinefood |
Yes, it was an evening for fellow overlanders to be pampered with good food and wine before heading back out on the road next day.
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| The Jetty at Night © Spaswinefood |
The Jetty Restaurant was indeed a great find. Not only does Swakopmund offer great dining options but there are also local spas to checkout. For me it was a peaceful stopover, a time for Spaswinefood explorations.
5. Sossusvlei
From Swaopmund it was onto Soltaire for lunch then Sesriem. Next morning before sunrise we were off to Sand Dune 45 in the Sossusvlei area. We climb to the top to view the sunrise. Later as we ate breakfast, drank morning coffee and relaxed, some late arriving climbers were still ascending Dune 45. I was happy to just relax and enjoy the views at the base of Dune 45.
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| Climbers Ascending Dune 45 © Spaswinefood |
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| Base of Dune 45 © Spaswinefood |
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| Tree near Dune 45 © Spaswinefood |
After a very memorable breakfast we were off to view some of the sand dunes area nearby. We did visit the well known Big Daddy Dune, which is over 380 meters high. We did not climb Big Daddy but rather explored the area around it. By the time we arrived at Big Daddy it was not ideal for climbing, as it was starting to get very hot. Temperatures rise quickly in the Namib Desert after sunrise.
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| Big Daddy Dune © Spaswinefood |
It is important to note that we were introduced to the overall importance of the desert ecology of sand dunes.
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| Exploring Big Daddy Dune © Spaswinefood |
Yes, breakfasting that morning at the base of Dune 45, Namib Desert was very special. It was just like discovering the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. After visiting two of Namibia's famous sand dunes, Dune 45 and Big Daddy, we were off.
6. Fish River Canyon
It is hard to beat Fish River Canyon, the largest canyon in Africa and the second largest canyon in the world, next to Grand Canyon. The canyon is 500 meters deep and over 160 kilometers long.
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| Fish River Canyon, Namibia © Spaswinefood |
After we arrived in Fish River Canyon we checked into our accommodations. Then we were off to explore the canyon before sunset. That day, as I walked a section of the canyon rim, I kept an eye on the ever changing canyon features. I enjoyed viewing the fascinating effects of light on the canyon walls, and the ever changing clouds in the sky.
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| Fish River Canyon © Spaswinefood |
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| Rim, Fish River Canyon © Spaswinefood |
It was indeed interesting to observe plant adaptation in this dry, rocky environment.
Do Not Miss the Okavango Delta
While in Namibia most will want to visit the nearby Okavango Delta, Botswana. In fact in our case after we entered Namibia from Botswana we overnighted at the Rainbow Lodge, Divuvu. Next morning we crossed Namibia's Caprivi Strip and traveled back into Botswana to visit the Okavango Delta. The Okavango Delta, one of the world's largest deltas, is a must see. The delta is really an oasis produced by seasonal rains, with most of the rain falling between January and April. Africa's largest oasis, the Okavango Delta, is one of the Seven Natural Wonders of Africa. This amazing ecosystem, with a diversity of flora and fauna, is home to a wide variety of wildlife such as hippos, crocodiles, elephants and big cats. We traveled through the Okavango Delta in a mokoro, a dugout canoe.
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Guides skillfully navigate the Mokoros through the Okavango Delta © Spaswinefood
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Lily Pads, Okavango Delta © Spaswinefood
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As we rode quietly through the delta's waterway we could hear hippos grunting nearby. Our Okavango Delta canoe safari was definitely the canoe adventure of a lifetime. Upon our we return Namibia we stayed at the Rainbow Lodge. Next, it was onto Roy's Camp from there we traveled on route C44 to visit a nearby San people community.
Namibia's San People
A visit with the San people, sometimes known as Bushmen, was also part our Namibian overland experience. The San are an indigenous, hunter gather people of Southern Africa that have been forced to adapt to the ever changing world. Our visit to the San community was indeed an enriching cross-cultural experience.
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| San Community, Namibia © Spaswinefood |
It was very special for me to spend some time with the San people. The cultural insights gained from our time with the San Bushmen helped me to critically frame our overland adventure. One cannot spend time with the San, without coming to appreciate the uniqueness of their lives. I walked away from that experience, with great sadness for what lies ahead for them.
Namibia is for the adventurous however, for those not quite as daring as overland travelers there are other options. You will find that the country has excellent highways and great accommodations. I invite you to join me in my travels in Namibia and elsewhere in Africa in search of the best in Spaswinefood.
Sharon
Namibia, Africa
© Spaswinefood
wow, amazing photos! looks like a beautiful country.
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