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Thoughts on Namibia Adventure

MS78

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

I packed my tauck duffel with everything I would need for those 7 days(making sure weight requirements met) then stuck it in my rolling duffel, which I checked. When I got to Windhoek I just pulled it out and left the rolling duffel with the things I was leaving behind. I used a backpack as a carryon. The tauck duffel looks a bit too large to use as a carry on. I don’t recall seeing anyone with binoculars, but it you have a small pair, I’d toss them in. Bigger ones? You might regret having to carry them. And that last flight from capetown to Windhoek on Airlink, the overhead bins are small especially on the left side, at least they were on our flights.

Jill Boyle

Thanks for all of the advice. I am checking a large suitcase for various items and shopping prior to arriving in WDH. That large bag will stay with Ultimate Safaris as they promised to store large bags. So long as my 2 soft sided bags which includes the Tauck duffle remain within the weight limit of 44 pounds I should be good. My situation is unusual in that I have medical supplies that must go with me and I am being strategic about all of this. Wish me luck!

MS78

Jill, I’m sure you’ll get it all worked out! Have a wonderful trip. I took my niece and nephew and they said it was their favorite journey thus far.

Jill Boyle

Thanks MS78. I should be able to fit everything into 2 soft sided bags even when my "traveling medical supplies" weigh 10 pounds total.

SandyFeet

Jill, I am looking forward to hearing about your experience. Safari njema!

DebiHoran90

Has anyone flown the Lufthansa route from US to Windhoek? Stops in Frankfurt on the way and Munich on the return. The reviews are really bad for the second leg with Eurowings Discover to and from Windhoek but it's one less stop, omitting Capetown.

SandyFeet

Does Boston not have a direct flight to Joberg?

DebiHoran90

No direct flights from Boston. We booked with Lufthansa as the Quatar flights involved an extra day of travel. It would have been nice to spend a couple nights in Joberg, as the only time we were there was way too short of a time on the Botswana Zambia trip.

Mimitravels

SandyFeet - did you just bring a carry on bag along with the Tauck duffle?

SandyFeet

Mimitravels, I packed the Tauck duffel in my carry on roller bag and took a backpack as my personal belonging. I never check luggage. I also wear a travel vest with all of my electronics in it; easy to go through security by just putting the vest in a plastic bin. Once I arrived in Windhoek I transferred all my safari needs into the duffel, and Tauck brought my rolller bag to our last lodge. Easy peasy.

Mimitravels

SandyFeet -Thanks for the great tip! I'll try that on my next trip. I hate to check a bag. (having had missing luggage for 5 days on one trip, Ugg)

Jill Boyle

After so much great advice from y'all, I did a packing trial and total weight between my Tauck duffel and my Vera Bradley quilted bag is just about 32 pounds! Phew! Not going to pack binoculars this time but will pack a pair of Keen hiking/water shoes which are closed toe but have side openings and allow water(and sand!) to escape from them! Will wear a pair of socks in them and that just might work!
Will pack my empty Tauck duffel and what goes in that in a locked big checked bag from the US to Namibia, then just toss what I need in it and let Ultimate Safaris babysit that bag.
Did anyone who arrived early take a city tour of Windhoek with Ultimate Safaris?

MS78

Jill, I booked a city tour with the hotel. Friends who came two days early booked another, animal focused tour on day two.

Quest

Does anyone have ideas to add a few extra days for side trip (outside of the Tauck tour) while in Namibia -- scheduled Sept 2025 with GOT Weinberg hotel. Since it is a long trip from USA; trip is 11 days, I want the Africa trip to be comprehensive. There does not seem to be many tourist attractions in Windhoek.

British

Quest, you are correct, Windhoek is small with really only the Independence Memorial museum to see, which is excellent by the way, the cathedral which you can no longer go in, I’ve been inside previously, and then the outside of the parliament building, all these very close together.
How about tagging on a trip to Botswana, which is what we did last year? The Tauck Namibia tour is way too short to see it properly, it’s a large country with so much incredible scenery, one of my favorites

Quest

I became interested in Namibia during our fabulous Botswana tour. Our TD recommended it -- he did say that most people in the USA don't even know it exists. The tour reviews are positive. I want to spend some more time on vacation, after I acquire so many frequent flyer points getting here.

SandyFeet

Quest, I had a similar experience while on the B, Z and SA tour. During our lunch cruise in 2022, we watched in amazement as hundreds of elephants crossed the Chobe River dividing Botswana from Namibia. Our TD pointed to Namibia telling us that an advance Tauck team had just gone there to plan a new tour. I knew then that I wanted to go. My husband and I were there last May and loved every minute of it. Although British is correct that the tour is too short to see all of that magical country, we found the trip to be elegantly curated and filled with amazing surprises waiting for us around every corner. It was the perfect length for us. Whether you go with Tauck or another company, my advice is to not miss Namibia if given the opportunity. Safari njema!

MS78

I echo the positive comments on Namibia. It’s so beautiful and the geography is so diverse. It really is a hidden gem because most people have no clue where it is. My only suggestion for time is perhaps a few days in Capetown, if your air travels have you going through there. Happy travels!

Quest

Each safari experience is different, when on Chobe River -- there was wind -- and no elephants. I heard my TD talking to boat personnel saying where are the elephants today. Other experiences were great in Botswana.

SandyFeet

Quest, I hope the rest of your tour made up for that windy day on the Chobe. I also hope the wind did not have a negative impact on your opportunity to sleep under the stars in the Kalahari, but you are so right about every safari being different. Maybe that is why I keep going back to Africa again and again. You just never know…

British

Good idea about going back to Cape Town, maybe see more than your last visit and then just chill before going home….

Jill Boyle

Cape Town is my favorite city! Anytime you have the opportunity to spend extra time there do consider it! My 3 nights there are at the very end of winter/very early spring and weather forecast is not good for me. But after 2 other visits there its all okay. I will just enjoy some shopping for a new grandson in the family and buying biltong and various wild animal pates!