We travelled 7562km in 27 days. We visited some old favorite areas and many new ones, that will be added to the favorites list. We travelled from the southern tip of Namibia to its Northern border and from the coast on the Atlantic Ocean to the Eastern Border into Botswana. I feel we really got a sense of Namibia this trip. The German influence that I had always attached so strongly to Namibia, applies predominantly in the Southern regions up to Swakopmund, from there it becomes more African, more third world, dominated by original people and cultures.
The total area of Namibia is 823 290 square km (Spain & Germany combined), with a population of 2.3 million, making it one of the most sparsely populated countries. This is not surprising as 80% of the country is desert. They have around 300 days of sunshine per year.
Many thanks to our wonderful travel companions; Tony, Al, George and Sue, who travelled the long roads and visited the amazing, diverse and interesting places with us. It was great to have a laugh, with drink in hand, as the sun sun set each day. Time to start planning for next year.
Statistics:
Losses & Replacements:
George: slops, mattress and washing up bucket... and nearly a peak cap.
Tony: 4 tyres and 1 battery.
Gray: 1 tyre puncture and his dignity at a certain waterhole.
Gains:
All: an amazing month of exploring Namibia (2 weeks for George and Sue).
George: passing the 600 mark on his bird list, adding a whole flock of lifers.
Al: finding new places to shop at.
A huge thanks to all our friends, family and people from all around the world, who we have never met, for following the blog. Thanks for your messages and support, it is greatly appreciated.
Thanks to our 3 children, we missed you and wished you could have traveled with us, pity you had to grow up and become responsible. At times I wondered if hauling you off to some southern African country to sleep in a tent, instead of chilling on the beach at Plett with your friends, was ok. Robs, aged 5, learned to read while traveling along the long Namibian roads, it was where Gareth learned to change a tyre and there were no shops for Kirst. Since they all want to still join us on our trips, I guess they have appreciated some of the adventures; being forced to play closer to the tent in Central Kalahari because the lions were right there, Robs and Jen (Purchase) found a Warthog in their bed at Bray and so on…… We also needed someone to sort out the home fires; a blown up electrical box and Escom – thanks Ga and Kirst.
As always a grateful thanks to Panda for his vision, planning, investigating and basically making our African adventures possible. A mention must go to our trusty, Discovery – 14 years old and 220 000 km under the belt, she came alive on the 4x4 sections.
“We live in a wonderful world that is full of beauty, charm and adventure. There is no end to the adventures we can have if only we seek them with our eyes open” Jawaharal Nehru.
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