Unique Places in Namibia

4 more images

If you are passing near the town of Grootfontein, you might want to take a short detour to the Hoba farm, where you can see the Hoba Meteorite, the largest meteorite in the world. It is a chunk of fairly pure iron (87%) that fell to earth some 80,000 years ago.

1 more image

The best place to watch animals is in the eastern part of Etosha National Park.

Why, because they are used to visitors and are not spooked by them. While is sounds romantic to get out to one of the more remote areas like the western part of the park, Namib-Naukluft, etc., these animals are very wary of humans and will run away as you get closer, while those in Eastern Etosha let you get up quite close.

Another thing to consider, espeically in Etosha during the dry season, is that unlike some of the other large parks, like Kruger, etc. you really don't have to go on a game drive. With limited water supplies, the animals will come to the water holes. Just sit there and wait, as they will come. You will need some patience, as the animals follow their own schedule, not yours. Pick a waterhole that has good sight lines and has no reed growth (predators can hide in the reeds, so the animals will not visit those waterholes).

If you get to a waterhole and the animals are not paying attention to you, you can be fairly certain that there is a larger danger (predator) around. You and your vehicle are quite large and imposing, and if the animals are ignoring you, they likely have a good reason to. You have to be vigilent and patient. The predators are not going to be out in the open, but are will be hiding in the bushes or behind rocks where the prey cannot easily see them. Take your time and you will be rewarded!

In Western Etosha we were litterly sitting about 3m / 10ft away from a leopard. We had to take pictures with medium length lenses, rather than the super zooms we usually use.

We got up early one morning while staying at Huab Lodge to join our host Jan on his daily early morning walk. We set out in the half-light of dawn. It was still pretty chilly so warm clothes were needed. We followed the dried-up river bed for part of the walk and Jan described to us the very different scene in the wet season when for a few short weeks the water (usually) flows through the farm. We also climbed a small outcrop for a wonderful view of the sunrise.

Heading back to the Lodge Jan took us up the hill behind the accommodation bungalows and showed us the extensive solar panel system and small generator that keep all the buildings supplied with light and hot water. We arrived back at the main building just as breakfast was being served, and it really is worth taking an early morning walk just to work up sufficient appetite to do real justice to the wonderful spread that is laid on at a Huab breakfast: home-made breads, fruit, various meats, cereals etc – all served on the terrace under what is by then a beautifully warm sun.

One of the activities on offer at Okonjima Lodge is a bush walk, which I can definitely recommend. You set out early in the morning (so wrap up warmly) and after an early morning snack consisting of tea or coffee and muffins, follow an easy trail around the surrounding property. Your guide will stop in various pre-arranged spots to describe an aspect of the San bushman’s life, such as fire-making, hunting, trapping etc. Although our guide wasn’t a bushman himself, he had lived with a San tribe in the north for about a year while studying and could tell us lots of interesting stories about his time there.

The walk lasts about 90 minutes and you get back to the lodge in time for brunch. This is a substantial meal of maize porridge, muesli and other breakfast cereals, fruit, yoghurt, salami, cheeses and bread, followed by eggs, sausage or bacon. Brunch is served daily at Okonjima and replaces a conventional lunch. We were certainly glad of it after this early start!

Another must-do activity when staying at Okonjima Lodge is a night time visit to a hide. After dinner everyone wraps up warmly for the short drive to the hide. There you need to keep very quiet as you all file into the space. Torches are provided so that you can see where you’re going. Everyone is seated on a long bench, and when you’re all in place torches are switched off and the flaps covering the window slots are lifted. The guides put raw meat in a clearing just in front of you, and you wait…..

On our visit the porcupines were first to arrive – three or four of them came snuffling out of the surrounding trees and nosed around the meat for a while. We all took photos and the flashes didn’t seem to bother them at all – the guide explained that they probably think it’s lightening. But you will need a good flash to get a photo - mine were a little disappointing so I've borrowed the image from the Lodge website (thank you Okonjima!)

After a while the porcupines left, just as the honey badgers arrived. Just one at first, then a couple more. These aren’t anything like the shy, cuddly British badger – in fact I read a description of them as the fiercest animals, for their size, in Africa. Perhaps that’s why the porcupines left!

After an hour or so watching and enjoying, it’s time to go back to the lodge to get warm by the roaring fire, and a welcome warming drink.

1 more image

While staying at Huab Lodge (see my Accommodation tip) we had the chance to visit a black eagle's nest. There was a chick in the nest but we were reassured that unlike other eagles, black eagles won't desert a nest that has been visited. I stayed below to watch and take photos of the climb, while my husband Chris (who took this great photo) and two other guests joined our host, Jan, for the climb. The nest was perched on a rocky ledge high above the dried up Huab River, and wasn't easy to reach (understatement of the holiday!) but their efforts were repaid by some stunning views of the young chick, who was about seven weeks old and already the size of a hen.
We learnt later that the chick continued to thrive and took to the skies a few months later, none the worse for the invasion of his privacy!

If you get a chance to tour or visit one of Namibia's black townships (see my comments regarding township visits on this page), be sure to get a beer at a shebeen.

Shebeens are unlicensed taverns that operate in people's houses. It's a way that they make additional N$.

The locals are generally friendly, but be sure to go with someone who knows the area.

4 more images

A couple of km east of Swakopmund is the place known as Moon landscape. Not much can be found about it in the guide books or Internet, but it is so extraordinary that it is definitely worth visiting. Bare rocks with occasional patches of silver green plants look so unearthly and inhospitable that you have no doubts why the place was given such a name. It's said that the place is quite popular with film industry. It's drama and grandeur could be an ideal setting for science fiction films.