Thoughts on Namibia Adventure
Just recently returned from the Namibian adventure. We had a group of 17 with a wonderful mix of ages and previous African travel. Johanna Patrick was our fantastic tour director. Sandyfeet gave a great recap of the journey about 2 months ago, so I don't need to retell the journey. But I want to add a couple of things to remember before you take the journey. 1.The Sossusvlei area and Etosha are dry, very dry, very very dry and dusty. So don't forget your body cream, your hand cream, your face cream, your super moist hair conditioner, your eye drops and anything else that helps in a very dry environment. 2. If you climb the big Daddy to the top or just do the arm, take off your shoes when you head down otherwise you'll end up with a ton of sand in your shoes that will continue to appear despite dumping it out. I would probably take a pair of shoes that you are ready to dispose of for this journey because the dust and sand really takes its toll. 3. At night the desert gets quite cold, especially if its windy, so be sure to take something that will keep you warm in a windy open aired vehicle if youre driving after dark. Also, it can get chilly on the catamaran in Swakopmund, although the little shot of sherry was warming. 4. If you are bringing a camera, be sure to bring a good lens cloth, the dust tends to stick. iPhones are great and so very convenient. 5. Even if you don't sleep outside at Kwessi, spend some time under the covers just staring at the sky. The multitude is stars is breathe taking. It's truly a spiritual experience. 6. While our flights were quite calm, our TD said there have been some that are bumpy, so bring your wrist bands if you tend to get motion sickness. 7 If you have time in Windhoek before the journey have the hotel arrange a driver to take you on a city excursion. The history of the country is fascinating. 8. The trip has been reclassified as a 4 for activity and that seems correct. There is walking and climbing, especially a number of steps at Ongava. Its best to have prepped before the journey
This is a remarkable trip. Each location is so different than the previous. this is the third journey I have taken my niece and nephew on and they said it was their favorite. It you are scheduled on this amazing trip, enjoy! enjoy! enjoy! Everything about it is marvelous.
Comments
MS78 Hi
Love everything, I read. Thanks for the info.
I do have a question; do you recall around what time was the BBQ at Walvis Bay after the catamaran? and also, is the pier by the Walvis Yacht club?
I have booked a tour in the afternoon and will like to know ..
Thanks
MS78 I am so glad you loved Namibia as much as we did. Sleeping under the stars at Kwessi Dunes was, indeed, a very spiritual experience. Even better, in my opinion, than the night under the stars in the Kalahari. Both magical.
We spent 24 glories days in Namibia last November, our second visit. Several people in our group ‘skied’
down the dunes. I don’t have a good photo but you get the idea. Too many snakes and scorpions in the sand for me to go barefoot!
MIL- I remember looking at my watch after the barbecue and everyone was getting ready to leave and it was 1:15 pm. The folks who had booked the excursion through Mola Mola tour left immediately in vehicles that were brought to the BBQ site. I believe the entire excursion would be 5 hours long. Those of us who chose not to go climbed back aboard the catamaran and went to the harbor. I believe we arrived somewhere near 1:45 pm. I'm sorry, I have no idea where the yacht club is located. I tried to see if any photos on the internet showed the place where we landed and if it was close by, but I got nothing. I would hope its not that far away but was surprised to learn that Walvis Bay is much larger in population than Swakopmund. I'd probably contact your provider and ask the distance between the waterfront drop off and the Yacht Club. Have fun. You will love this adventure.
MS78 HI
Thank you for the info. I booked with Sandwaves, I will ask the TD and will decide if I stay with them or change to Mola.
Thanks.
The photos of "skiers" on the dune are amazing but glad there was a mention of snakes and scorpions! I have a pair of Obozo hiking ankle boots and plan to wear them on the plane trips instead of packing them as it saves weight in the luggage. I do not wish to fill them with sand so will decide what I want to do there. Can the TD book restaurants for us in Swakopmund at the welcome reception? I am a solo traveler so that may be an issue for me to make dinner reservations. Thanks in advance
I didn’t go with Tauck to Namibia but I’ve been there twice. The hiking boots will still get swamped with sand so I don’t see the necessity to take any. I’m sure you won’t need them for any other activities, unless the tour goes to the petroglyph which are quite a climb.
Tauck tour directors have always recommended restaurants but I’m sure others will ask you to join them. I’ll try to find a photo of the fun restaurant we went to in Swokopmund and post it.
Hi Jill, I would bet the TD can assist you in finding a group for the Swakopmund dinner. There are 3 selections recommended in the docs and we chose The Tug, which was a short walk. they offered to shuttle us back to the hotel, but we walked because it was so close. As for hiking boots, you can bring them if you want, but there is no need at all for that type of shoe. As long as you have a tennis shoe with some tread rather than smooth bottom you'll be fine and honestly, I wouldn't want the extra weight when climbing in the sand, if you choose to climb the dune. I took my nephew on the trip and he climbs 14k mountains in Colorado. He made it to the top in 25 minutes wearing just a pair of old tennis shoes. I got a kick out of seeing all the different shoe patterns in the sand in the parking lot, sort of like tracking an animal. I only had 2 pairs of shoes on this trip, my tennis shoes and a pair of keen sandals ( which had a closed toe). wishing you a wonderful adventure.
British: Love the signs on Kucki's Pub. That is hilarious. There is a restaurant on The Outer Banks in Kill Devil Hills, NC called Bob's Grill. Their outside sign reads "Eat and Get The Hell Out". Good advertisement, it sort of makes you want to go in and try the food, which we did. Food was not exceptional but ok.
Jill, I second MS78 on The Tug. It is very atmospheric and has great food. We walked to and from The Strand Hotel along a lovely palm lined path. I bought a beautifully carved oryx at the street market nearby. The vendor detached the horns and wrapped them separately to insure a safe flight home.
My oryx
Many thanks to those who advised against the ankle hiking shoes. I have a brand new pair and well worn pair of OnClouds with great traction so that is what I will bring! I will leave the old pair behind and donate them at the last hotel before returning home. Do you all recommend still drinking only bottled water at the restaurants in Swakopmund?
Sandy Feet pictured my oryx from the Omapaha Himba Camp Namibia. Aren't they sweet!
Drink only bottled water wherever you go.
Stellie- to get a photo to appear in your post, don't use "attach file." Just use the "attach image" button (icon with mountain and sun)- for photos on your computer, hit browse and select the file name of the photo in your photo directory. For an image somewhere on the web, insert the images URL in the appropriate spot.
Stellie, I ❤️ your oryx! They are fascinating creatures, aren’t they? My husband was swimming at Kwessi Dunes, and he had a very up close and personal encounter with one who was taking a drink at the water trough located at the end of the pool. A great memory of a terrific trip.
Did Kwessi Dunes offer an add on opportunity for a hot air balloon ride? If so, and if guests did it, did they enjoy it? How far in advance would one need to make a reservation?
I think the flights over the sand dunes and coast which last longer and go much further are excellent.
Jill, I was not aware of any balloon ride option, although we did see a spot for a balloon ride departure. since balloon rides tend to be early in the morning, I don't know if there would have been time. we had an early start for Sossusvlei on day 2, and day 3 was the travel day. I suppose there could have been a really early ride before departure, but was not aware of one. On the day we arrived, it was so windy, you couldn't have enticed me into a balloon if you tried. I don't think it could have been attempted safely. perhaps like British suggested a ride near the coast, but those days for us were grey and cloudy and rainy, so not optimal ballooning days. Or Ongava might have an option.
The first time we went to Namibia, a balloon ride was offered but the weather was not suitable. The Sossusvlei area was very windy then too. The Tauck Namibia tour is so short, you really only get a snapshot of the country. A balloon ride would take another chunk out of your time there.
Once again thanks to all for your advice and experiences.
Jill, our TD pointed to some hot air balloons as we’ were driving to Big Daddy from
Kwessi. She said, “That costs $500”. No one asked any follow up questions due to sensory overload. We loved the Namibia tour just as it was - perfect for us.
Thanks SandyFeet! I did a hot air ballon in Kenya and it was fantastic and included a champagne breakfast after but $500 with our limited time there is a no go for me. I did get my Tauck duffle recently, it is well made but due to lots of medical supplies I am bringing a very light weight Vera Bradley quilted duffle as my carry on. I should be able to be under the overall weight limit across both bags. Not bringing my DSLR camera and lenses which should help.
Balloon rides in Africa do cost an average of $600, so $500 is a reasonable price. The cheapest thing to do is to climb to the top of whichever dune Tauck takes you to and you will get spectacular views. Just hope it isn’t a windy day because being blasted by sand is not fun.
Jill, because we do carry on only we put our duffels in a rolling carry on and then took backpacks as our personal item. We left the roll on bag in Windhoek after transferring what we needed into the duffels. Tauck reunited us with our carry on luggage at Omaanda Lodge. I use my quilted Vera Bradley backpack a lot, but I just bought a new, fun Cotopaxi travel pack that I plan to take to London in November. I use a small black LLBean backpack as a daypack while on safari. Looking forward to hearing about your epic Namibian experience!
Jill just a reminder, that it gets fairly dusty, so if the Vera Bradley is cloth, you may want to opt for something that’s easy to wipe off. Just a heads up. I was surprised at how dusty my backpack was when I got home.
I have a Vera B backpack in the more serviceable water repellent fabric. I take that one ot dusty places.
If my VB bag gets dusty I can just wash it when I get home. That being said, in order to better streamline my packing list, is it worthwhile to bring binoculars? I have done many safaris so seeing animals up close with them is not a priority for me anymore. Additionally, is a fully packed Tauck duffle able to be a carry on? I am fortunate to be flying on award points in First and Business class so if I do not have to gate check or check that duffle it would really help. Going on United to Houston>Emirates to Dubai and Cape Town,Airlink> Windhoek
The fully packed Tauck duffel is too big for carry on. I recommend packing that duffel in your carryon and then transferring your safari clothing into the duffel in Windhoek. Tauck will keep your carryon and get it to you at the last lodge, the stunning Omaanda. Have a blast!