Four Days In Namibia
Jul 28, 2017, 12:43 pm
#31
Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 2,257
The only part that was soft sand was the last ~4kms to Deadvlei. There is a parking lot at the end of the paved road and they run 4WD/tractor shuttles. The sand was OK to drive on, basically just keep going and don't stop. The tractors can tow you out if you do get stuck
Jul 28, 2017, 1:55 pm
#35
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: North of Carlisle
Programs: BAEC Silver
Posts: 1,538
Jul 28, 2017, 2:25 pm
#36
Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 2,257
Vomiting and diarrhea are my biggest nightmares during travel, and 1000x worse when happening in the metal tube
Jul 28, 2017, 8:06 pm
#40
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 179
Thanks for posting yet another spectacular trip report. It brought back great memories from my trip there last November.
I also stayed at the Hilltop Guest House, and ate at Joe's Beer House (although that was my first day/night in the country). Joe's was absolutely packed, and I ended up at a table with a couple from The Netherlands, and a woman from South Africa, and it was a lot of fun. Definitely a memorable dining experience. It looked like you were seated inside (I was outside)?
The precipitation sign at Solitaire is quite the conversation piece. I remember when I was there last November, there was talk about it being the driest year in over a decade (they still hadn't gotten even 45mm at that point). Must have had a wet December to get into the 60s.
Thanks so much for sharing. I need to get back down to that amazing part of the world again some time.
I also stayed at the Hilltop Guest House, and ate at Joe's Beer House (although that was my first day/night in the country). Joe's was absolutely packed, and I ended up at a table with a couple from The Netherlands, and a woman from South Africa, and it was a lot of fun. Definitely a memorable dining experience. It looked like you were seated inside (I was outside)?
The precipitation sign at Solitaire is quite the conversation piece. I remember when I was there last November, there was talk about it being the driest year in over a decade (they still hadn't gotten even 45mm at that point). Must have had a wet December to get into the 60s.
Thanks so much for sharing. I need to get back down to that amazing part of the world again some time.
Jul 29, 2017, 12:10 am
#42
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Dubai
Posts: 3,301
. I've got another ET fight myself coming up. Definitely no complaints on my trips on them so far though!
. Yes, it'll be hard to find such a beautiful and photogenic destination after beautiful Namibia! The Zebra and Ostrich steak were super delicious too.These Namibia trip reports on FT are really something spectacular I really am moving it to the top of my travel bucket list.
To see the night sky that interrupted is something I've waited a lifetime to see.
Thanks DanielW! Do you think it is possible for someone without 4X4 experience to navigate the same roads you traveled?
To see the night sky that interrupted is something I've waited a lifetime to see.
Thanks DanielW! Do you think it is possible for someone without 4X4 experience to navigate the same roads you traveled?
. You'll be fine without 4x4 experience. As hauteboy and ChiefNWA have mentioned, the only serious part were the last 3-4 kilometes to Sossusvlei. They have offroad vehicles for the general public though if you'd rather wish for someone else to do the driving on this short stretch.
!
Great report as always! Glad the both of you could join me in Namibia. Your photos from the helicopter are amazing!
Good to compare / contrast our trip reports.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trip-...ya-uganda.html
Good to compare / contrast our trip reports.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trip-...ya-uganda.html
. That heli flight was definitely a highlight of the trip, so cool with the doors off too!What can I say, fantastic photography as usual DanielW! Really makes me want to return to Namibia and see more of the country.
I regret not going to that restaurant in Windhoek. A guide in CPT mentioned it to me and I just totally forgot the one night I was there.
That helicopter tour looks absolutely stunning as well. I'm a little surprised they didn't fly over any of those ship wrecks, maybe those are further south towards Luderitz.
I regret not going to that restaurant in Windhoek. A guide in CPT mentioned it to me and I just totally forgot the one night I was there.
That helicopter tour looks absolutely stunning as well. I'm a little surprised they didn't fly over any of those ship wrecks, maybe those are further south towards Luderitz.
. Your Namibia TR really whetted my appetite so was really glad when hauteboy invited us along to join him for his trip. Joe's beerhouse was a treat, a great way to end the trip.Our little R44 probably didn't have enough range to see the shipwrecks. I think the scenic fixed-wing flights head further up the coast though.
Cheers, scott97
. .I have been to Namibia a dozen or so times. I have asked the MET and park rangers, multiple times, for a drone permit. How were you able to obtain this? Drone flying is prohibited in all parks (some rangers actually claim all public lands). In Naukluf National Park (Deadvlei location) this is specifically prohibited on the park permit. How did you get the permit? Just by walking in the MET office (I tried that, too)?
. Yes, being out in the middle of nowhere with almost zero light pollution really brought out the wonderful night sky.Wow, these are amazing photos. Looking to go to Namibia myself soon, so this just is an icing on top of the cake.
Would it be fair to say that cost at Namibia is about the same as cost for South Africa trip? I know it's not to the level of Botswana safari ($$$$)...
The other concern is - what are the options if you dont feel comfortable driving on the soft sand area? Like, I would like to self-drive during trip to Namibia, but I also understand to get to certain areas in the park, you need to go through these non-paved, soft sand "road". This is the section I am not comfortable / experienced doing. Would there be an option to hire another driver (from the lodge/camp perhaps?), once there, to do this portion of drive?
Would it be fair to say that cost at Namibia is about the same as cost for South Africa trip? I know it's not to the level of Botswana safari ($$$$)...
The other concern is - what are the options if you dont feel comfortable driving on the soft sand area? Like, I would like to self-drive during trip to Namibia, but I also understand to get to certain areas in the park, you need to go through these non-paved, soft sand "road". This is the section I am not comfortable / experienced doing. Would there be an option to hire another driver (from the lodge/camp perhaps?), once there, to do this portion of drive?
. Namibia seems to be about the same price as South Africa, they also readily accept SA rand. There is public 4WD vehicles to shuttle the general public for the last few kilometres to Sossusvlei if you wish to skip driving this part yourself.. For the heli flight I switched between my 16-35 and 70-200 lenses. Just had to make sure I didn't drop them!. Yes, the cheetah cubs were super cute! The sand dunes were so mesmerizing too.. Yes, the views of the coast were literally breath-taking, such a great experience!Many thanks, Madone59
. Yes, such a beautiful part of the world.. Namibia is definitely a must see.Thanks for posting yet another spectacular trip report. It brought back great memories from my trip there last November.
I also stayed at the Hilltop Guest House, and ate at Joe's Beer House (although that was my first day/night in the country). Joe's was absolutely packed, and I ended up at a table with a couple from The Netherlands, and a woman from South Africa, and it was a lot of fun. Definitely a memorable dining experience. It looked like you were seated inside (I was outside)?
The precipitation sign at Solitaire is quite the conversation piece. I remember when I was there last November, there was talk about it being the driest year in over a decade (they still hadn't gotten even 45mm at that point). Must have had a wet December to get into the 60s.
Thanks so much for sharing. I need to get back down to that amazing part of the world again some time.
I also stayed at the Hilltop Guest House, and ate at Joe's Beer House (although that was my first day/night in the country). Joe's was absolutely packed, and I ended up at a table with a couple from The Netherlands, and a woman from South Africa, and it was a lot of fun. Definitely a memorable dining experience. It looked like you were seated inside (I was outside)?
The precipitation sign at Solitaire is quite the conversation piece. I remember when I was there last November, there was talk about it being the driest year in over a decade (they still hadn't gotten even 45mm at that point). Must have had a wet December to get into the 60s.
Thanks so much for sharing. I need to get back down to that amazing part of the world again some time.
. Your TR as well as ChiefNWA and worldtraveller73's got me itching to see Namibia. We were seated outside by the bar too at Joe's, such a crazy and unique place!Solitaire was still pretty dry, felt a bit guilty just flushing the toliet.
Definitely a place I would love to head back to as well, so much more to see
.Cheers, pharmawalk
.
Jul 29, 2017, 4:44 am
#43
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Hong Kong
Programs: BA Gold, DL PM, , Hilton Diamond (from being in a bed), SPG Plat, MR Plat
Posts: 922
Just WOW!
You never disappoint DanielW. Some of those shots from the helicopter are stunning. After reading about Nambia the other day and reading this report it is now firmly on this list.
Thanks for a enjoyable report!
You never disappoint DanielW. Some of those shots from the helicopter are stunning. After reading about Nambia the other day and reading this report it is now firmly on this list.
Thanks for a enjoyable report!
Jul 29, 2017, 6:37 am
#44
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Hämeenlinna, Finland
Programs: AY Plus Gold, SK Eurobonus Silver, Flying Blue Gold, Hilton Hhonors Silver
Posts: 14
DanielW, I have been your fan for a long time but this trip report looks even more stunning than the previous ones. Simply wow!
Your pictures are always breathtaking but this time I am out of words.
Keep these reports coming!
Your pictures are always breathtaking but this time I am out of words.
Keep these reports coming!