#Day Tours Namibia Windhoek

[merrillsafricabikeadventure]

Wednesday April 5- Windhoek, Namibia.

A rest day in Windhoek. It seems incongruous but we are in a campground in the middle of the capital city. It’s surrounded by razor wire, an 8 foot high electric fence, and guards at the gates. No wild animals here. We are warned not to go out at night and do not take a taxi alone.

I indulged myself and glamped. It’s still a tent but at least I didn’t have to set it up and didn’t have to sleep on the ground. At $25 a night it seems like a reasonable indulgence.

Rest days are usually laundry days and errand days but I had some time to take a city tour in a minivan with one other person. Namibia was a German colony at one time so there are a few old German churches and forts but not much in the way of historical buildings. The country was also a protectorate of South Africa for a long time and endured an apartheid division before gaining its independence in 1990. Most of the focus of the tour was on the “townships” where people often live in shacks with no electricity, water, or toilets. It’s grim. In the townships every person is doing something - it’s either hustle or starve.

[anjalishetty354]

The Top 5 Routes for a Memorable Road Trip in Namibia

Exploring Namibia by road is an unforgettable experience, with its vast landscapes, diverse wildlife, and unique culture with the Embarq road trip.

Here are the top five routes that promise to make your driving holiday in Namibia truly memorable.

1. Windhoek to Etosha National Park

Why It’s Great: This route is ideal for wildlife lovers looking to experience one of Africa's most famous game reserves. Etosha National Park is renowned for its abundant wildlife, including elephants, lions, and rhinos.

Highlights: Wildlife spotting, salt pans, luxury lodges.

Best For: Those wanting a classic Namibia road trip adventure focused on game viewing and comfortable accommodations.

Distance: Approximately 435 km (270 miles) from Windhoek, making it a manageable drive for most travelers.

2. The Skeleton Coast Route

Why It’s Great: The Skeleton Coast, known for its eerie beauty, is perfect for those seeking a unique road trip. The route stretches along Namibia’s Atlantic coast, dotted with shipwrecks, seal colonies, and remote beaches.

Highlights: Shipwrecks, Cape Cross Seal Reserve, isolated coastal scenery.

Best For: Travelers looking for a secluded and surreal Namibia self-drive experience, far from the typical tourist paths.

Distance: The route varies depending on the starting point but spans approximately 500 km (310 miles) along the coast.

3. Sossusvlei and the Namib Desert

Why It’s Great: This route is a must for those wanting to explore the iconic red dunes of Sossusvlei in the Namib Desert, which offers some of the most breathtaking landscapes in Namibia.

Highlights: Dune 45, Deadvlei, Sesriem Canyon, luxury desert lodges.

Best For: Adventure-seekers interested in Namibia road trip adventures with stunning desert landscapes, perfect for photography.

Distance: From Windhoek to Sossusvlei, it’s around 370 km (230 miles), providing a scenic journey through the desert.

4. The Caprivi Strip (Zambezi Region)

Why It’s Great: This lush, tropical region is unlike anywhere else in Namibia, offering rivers, wetlands, and abundant wildlife. It’s an excellent choice for those seeking a luxury road trip experience with a twist.

Highlights: Game reserves, river cruises, camping, local culture.

Best For: Travelers looking for customized road trips with a unique blend of nature and luxury, including options for boat safaris and guided tours.

Distance: Stretching over 400 km (250 miles), the Caprivi Strip allows for a multi-day, relaxed-paced journey.

5. Fish River Canyon to Lüderitz

Why It’s Great: Namibia’s Fish River Canyon is the second-largest canyon in the world, offering awe-inspiring landscapes and hiking opportunities. Driving to Lüderitz brings you to a charming coastal town with German colonial architecture.

Highlights: Fish River Canyon, Kolmanskop Ghost Town, coastal landscapes.

Best For: History and nature enthusiasts who enjoy a driving holiday with a mix of adventure and cultural experiences.

Distance: The route covers around 500 km (310 miles) with plenty of scenic stops along the way.

Each of these routes can be tailored to fit your travel style, making them ideal for luxury road trips or fully customizable self-drive adventures. Whether you’re drawn to Namibia’s deserts, coastlines, or wildlife reserves, these routes ensure a memorable Namibia road trip adventure that captures the magic of this unique country.

[beardedmrbean]

Ilta-Sanomat describes Sauli Niinistö's last week in the presidency as "a whirlwind of travel from country to country and city to city."

Niinistö has not been taking it easy, even though his term ends Friday when Alexander Stubb takes over as President of the Republic.

A week ago, on Thursday, Niinistö was still touring Finland. He visited his home town of Salo for the last time before the end of his second and final term in office.

From Salo, he headed for Windhoek, the capital of Namibia, where the funeral of President Hage Geingob took place over the weekend.

From Namibia, Niinistö flew back to Europe to Paris, the where he attended a meeting to reaffirm Western support for Ukraine, hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron.

Following that, Niinistö returned to Helsinki. On Wednesday he had his final formal meeting with the cabinet. On Thursday, Niinistö will hold his last press conference as president.

The week, and Niinistö's final term, will culminate on Friday in Parliament. At 11:50 am, Niinistö will inspect an honour guard in front of the Parliament for the last time. He and Stubb will then proceed to a plenary session of Parliament, where Niinistö will present an address to the house.

During that session, power will change hands and Stubb will become president.

Niinistö's legacy

The Uutissuomalainen news group asked three researchers what Niinistö's legacy will be and what issues from his time in office will go down in history.

Professor of Political Science Tapio Raunio from the University of Tampere, political scientist Johanna Vuorelma from the University of Helsinki and Associate Professor of Political History Johanna Rainio-Niemi from the University of Helsinki all believe that the last two years of Niinistö's presidency will define his legacy.

Rainio-Niemi said she believes that Niinistö will be remembered as a president who served during a time of upheaval, most remembered for Finland's quick ascension into Nato. Vuorelma also believes that Niinistö's legacy will be defined by Nato membership.

Vuorelma pointed out that Niinistö was not publicly in favour of Nato membership before Russia's attack on Ukraine. For example, in his New Year's speech before the Russian invasion, Niinistö said that Finland had a crisis-resistant foreign and security policy that did not need to be changed.

"Niinistö himself was not the one who dictated or persuaded the public to back this change," Vuorelma told USU.

According to Raunio, it would be wrong to say that Niinistö is the one who brought Finland into Nato. Raunio points out that during Niinistö's first ten years in office, practically nothing happened with regard to the western alliance.

"It was only when Putin invaded Ukraine in 2022 and public opinion changed that Niinistö and the rest of our political elite turned the corner and started moving towards Nato," Raunio noted.

Finnish arms in Russia

According to a report in Helsingin Sanomat weapons and ammunition produced by the Finnish arms industry companies Sako and Nammo Lapua have ended up in Russia despite the arms export ban.

In February, a report by the Russian online magazine IStories and the Italian newspaper Irpi Media claimed that Finnish arms and ammunition had ended up in Russia. HS says it has verified this information and obtained new information, for example on the routes of the weapons took from Finland to Russia.

According to some Russian war bloggers, these weapons and ammunition have also been used by Russian soldiers in Ukraine.

In total, reports HS, several million rounds of Finnish ammunition have ended up in Russia. Between 2022 and 2023, nearly 700 rifles made at the Sako factory in Riihimäki and about 67,000 boxes of Sako cartridges were registered in Russia. During the same period, about 174,000 boxes of Nammo Lapua cartridges were registered there.

Sako and Nammo Lapua denied to HS that they exported these products to Russia. According to the companies, the weapons and cartridges were exported to Russia without their permission and without their knowledge.

According to HS's investigation, the Sako rifles and parts entered Russia via Italy.

Lapua Sako is owned by the Beretta group, which is originally Italian. Nammo Lapua is part of the Nammo group, which is owned by Finland's Patria and the Norwegian state. The Finnish state owns 50.1 percent of Patria.

Household spending down

Karjalainen reports on a fresh survey showing that more than half of Finnish households have cut back on spending in order to balance their finances.

The survey, carried out by the pollster Taloustutkimus for the loan comparison service Sortter, asked households what measures they have used to offset rising interest rates and living costs over the past year. A majority, 54 percent of respondents said they had trimmed back on everyday spending on items such as food and medicine.

One in three said they had also spent less on energy. One in four has drawn on their savings.

Just over 40 percent of households reported having less money available to spend each month compared to a year ago.

English-only ban?

On Wednesday, MPs debated issues related to the use and status of Finnish, and what some members see as threats to the majority national language.

Ilta-Sanomat is among the papers reporting that Pekka Aittakumpu (Cen) issued a call for a tightening of language legislation along the lines of the French model. He believes that the Finnish language should be protected in particular from the dominance of English.

"The law could also require private sector operators to provide services in Finnish. In Estonia and France, for example, language law also applies to private service providers. In those countries, a café that provides service only in English is illegal," Aittakumpu was quoted as saying.

Aittakumpu also demanded that it should be possible to obtain degrees in Finnish at all educational levels.

"In many fields, it is no longer possible to continue studies in the national language after obtaining a bachelor's degree, as master's degree courses switch to teaching in English. This is not right. University funding must be more strictly linked to the opportunity of studying in Finnish," he argued.

Minister of Justice Leena Meri (Finns) told MPs that there are several government-initiated projects underway examining the status of the use of Finnish.

Minister of Education Anna-Maja Henriksson (SPP) pointed out that the national language strategy aims to ensure that the Finnish language does not become less widely used. She added, that on the other hand, speakers of Swedish, Finland's second official language, do not always receive even legally-mandated services in their mother tongue.

[navdeepoutofoakland]

At the Botswana-Namibia border.

Had quite the adventure traveling from Maun, Botswana to Windhoek, Namibia. Met Vicky on the way and we hitched a ride with Ismail at the Trans-Kalahari border to Windhoek. It was a long day that took about 15 hours and 6 forms of transportation. Taxi - bus - van - taxi - semi truck - taxi and cost a total of $32USD vs. $560USD for a one-way plane flight! So much fun and I felt very accomplished once I got to my new home away from home.

Pictured here is a woman from the Herero tribe who was also on the trip from Botswana to Namibia. This was the first time I saw this triangle shaped head covering and was fascinated by it. Her clothing and head covering signify that she is a married woman. I asked her if I could take a photo.

Independence Museum and Memorial to the lives lost for independence.

Vicky and I met up again after our long journey and we visited the Independence Museum in Windhoek. We had a great tour with Josiah. Vicky, Josiah and I met up another afternoon for chatting, eating and chilling.

The semi truck that we traveled in with Ismail.

My beautiful, delicious and GIGANTIC breakfast at my Airbnb. It would fill me up for the day! On the right is the view from my patio.

[stocklivemarket]

If you are thinking of traveling to Windhoek, Namibia, you are in the right place. Windhoek, the capital city of Namibia, is the largest city in the country. It is located on the Khomas Highland plateau at an altitude of 1,700 meters above sea level. It is a city that attracts attention with its historical buildings, wide streets, pleasant squares and safari tours. [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PpAoMgTP5TI[/embed] Windhoek, which is seen as the social, economic, political and cultural center of the country, welcomes approximately 60 percent of the foreign tourists coming to Namibia every year. This is one of the biggest indicators of its contribution to the country's economy. Windhoek has a semi-arid climate. Although the weather is very hot during the day in summer, evenings are cold. The annual average air temperature is 19.7 degrees. There is no precipitation in the winter months of June, July and August. However, temperatures during this period range from -5 to 18 degrees. During the daytime, the highest temperature in July is 20 degrees, while it can be seen as 31 degrees in January. Where is Windhoek? Let us share with you some of the things you need to know when traveling to Windhoek. Windhoek, the capital city of Namibia, is the largest city in the country. It is located on the Khomas Highland Plateau at an altitude of 1,700 meters above sea level. How To Get To Windhoek? Hosea Kutako International Airport is located 45 kilometers outside the city. Flights are available via Cape Town, Frankfurt, Johannesburg, Amsterdam or Luanda. It is possible to take a taxi from the airport to the city center for 350 Namibian Dollars. When To Go To Windhoek? Windhoek has a semi-arid climate. Although the weather is very hot during the day in summer, evenings are cold. The annual average air temperature is 19.7 degrees. There is no precipitation in the winter months of June, July and August. However, temperatures during this period range from -5 to 18 degrees. During the daytime, the highest temperature in July is 20 degrees, while it can be seen as 31 degrees in January. Place To Visit In Windhoek You could say that everything in Namibia is headed towards Windhoek. In addition, Windhoek, which is a city that can be determined as the starting point for tourists coming to the country, has the charm of discovering the country's huge natural wealth and making it worth a few days' trip. Among the places he owns; The National Museum of North Korea, the Parliament Building, the gardens, and the most prominent landmarks are the brightly painted Christuskirche. If we are going to talk about the real attractions of the city, then this list will not be so long. Among the real reasons to spend time in this high-altitude and slow-paced city is the country's cultural background. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push(); Browsing churches, shopping, dining, being next to Christuskirche can be interesting in this city centre. The real adventure starts when you get to Katutura Suburb. Daan Viljoen, a large area where wild animals continue their natural lives, is located near the city. Christuskirche This church, which is called Christ Church in English and means the Church of Jesus in Turkish, is a church affiliated with the Lutheran monkhood. It is the main attraction point of the city with its architectural feature rather than its religious function. It is one of the main reasons why many tourists come to this city every year. The construction of this brightly painted building, which is impossible to miss while visiting the city center of Eindhoek, was laid in 1907 after the war between the German colonialists and the local people. It was consecrated and put into service in 1910. Its first name is the Church of Peace, meaning Church of Peace. The structure is made of quartz sandstone. The sandstone used in its construction was mined around the Avis Dam. The spire of the Gothic

tower of the building, which I can describe as a mixture of Neo-Romanesque, Art Nouveau and Gothic Revival styles in terms of its architectural features, corresponds to a length of 24 meters. The church, whose columned entrance was made of Carrara marble imported from Italy, was brought from Germany. The three bronze bells of the church were made by Franz Schilling. The inscriptions on them "Ehre sei Gott in der Höhe" mean "victory belongs to the Most High God," "Friede auf Erden" (peace in the world), and "Den Menschen ein Wohlgefallen" means "goodwill to mankind". Daan Viljoen Nature Reserve Daan Viljoen Nature Reserve is Namibia's smallest park. Located in the town of Khomas Hochland, the natural park attracts many visitors due to its proximity to Windhoek city centre. The location of the park, which is 25 kilometers away from the city and suitable for daily visitors, is not the only factor in this increase in the number of visitors. Locals also frequently visit here to escape the city and be alone with nature. The park, which also includes a reservoir, is open to the public from sunrise to sunset throughout the year. One of the main attractions of Daan Viljoen Nature Reserve is that visitors are allowed to walk around the park. In other words, unlike other natural parks in Namibia, unfortunately, it is only possible to travel in a vehicle in these parks, and of course, it is not allowed to get out of the vehicles for safety reasons. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push(); There are two very famous climbing areas. There are also routes for cycling up the mountain. However, there is a very important point that we should remind you that it is essential to reserve your entrance ticket in advance to enter this park, which is a favorite of domestic and foreign tourists all year round. Alte Feste (Old Castle) Alte Feste is a castle and museum, which means Old Fortress in Turkish. The castle was designed by Captain Curt von François. The original purpose of construction was to create a base that functions as the headquarters for the German Schutztruppe (German Colonial Army). The center of the army, which was responsible for controlling not only Namibia but the whole region during the entire colonization process of Southwest Africa, was taken to this city and this fortress. Windhoek's location at the time explains this preference very well. It was the strategic prediction that this city, which was completely abandoned and destroyed by the colonial wars, would create a safety zone between the local tribes that were being fought against and the German colonial powers, as there were no people living in this city. However, the fort has never been part of any war, has never been attacked or used for an offensive. Therefore, it has been completely preserved from an architectural point of view. The foundations of the building were laid in 1890 by Gustav Tünschel, a German colonial army soldier. In its early years, the building had to be redesigned many times. The construction of the final plan was completed in 1915. Schwerinsburg (Schwerin Castle) Schwerinsburg (English and Schwerin's Castle) means Schwerin Castle in Turkish. Schwerinsburg (Schwerin Castle), the largest of the three castles in the city of Windhoek, is now dedicated to the personal residence of the Namibian Ambassador to Italy. After the construction of the Old Castle, named Alte Feste, began in 1890, the tower of Schwerinsburg was built by Captain Curt von François, who was the architect of the Alte Feste. One of the highest enforcers of German imperial power in all of Southwest Africa, the captain only designed the tower. In 1904, Schutztruppe (German colonial army) sold the building to German architect Wilhelm Sander, and the new owner transformed the structure into an open-air pub called the beer garden, which you can think of as a tea garden with beer sales. In its new function, the structure is named Sperlingslust.

In 1913 Hans Bogislav Graf von Schwerin, governor of the German-controlled south-west Africa's Gobabis province, bought the Sperlingslust building from Sander and asked him to turn it into a fortress. After the conversion was completed, the building was named Schwerinsburg by its new owner. Heroes Acre Tintenpalast National Library of Namibia Transportation In Windhoek When you travel to Windhoek, you should also know how to get there. Only shared taxis are used for public transport in Windhoek. They have certain routes, but since there is no stop logic, it is possible to get off wherever you want. However, if you wish, there are also taxis that you can keep privately. Since the majority of hotels and hostels are located very close to the city center, you can also reach by walking. Windhoek Cuisine Your trip to Windhoek continues, if you can't decide what to eat, then it's time to talk about what to eat in Windhoek. Namibian cuisine is shaped by the cooking techniques of the local tribes and by British, African and German influences. Local tribes often use fruits, nuts and vegetables in their cuisine. Hunting is an important activity in the food consumption of local people. Many wild animal meats, from crocodile to buffalo meat, are cooked by local tribes. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push(); Classic beer and schnitzel can be found in the cuisine of German origin. The kitchen has not been developed much because of the limited agricultural opportunities in the country. Smoked meat is consumed a lot. Vegetables and fruits such as avocado, banana, orange, tangerine, pineapple, peanut, tomato, kiwi, beans, onions, potatoes, celery; millet, corn, rice and wheat are grown from cereals. Popular restaurants La Dolce Vita Pick'n Pay, Sardinia Tim Sum Luigi and the Fish. Tip:Even though the waiters in places in Namibia do not expect a tip, they will be happy if you leave 10 percent of the bill as a tip. Shopping In Windhoek Wouldn't you like to beautify your Windhoek trip with shopping? Windhoek city is one of the best places for shopping in Namibia. While you may encounter many boutique shops on the street walks, there are also many modern shopping centers in the city. Maerua Mall, Wernhill Park or Gustav Voigts Center are some of them. If you are into handmade crafts, you should stop by the Namibia Craft Center, located in an old building in the city centre. It is possible to find kden here. Another popular store in the city center is Jennys Place. Here you can find many products from oil paintings to local jewellery. Windhoek Nightlife Nightlife in Windhoek city is based on bars. It is not possible to see a nightclub or disco. Even some bars are closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. After Wednesday, they are quite active. You can choose Funky Lab, Joes Beer Garden, Wine Bar, Blitzkrieg Bunker Bar or Bump. The only nightclub in the city is Cheztemba, which is open even on Sundays. It is worth mentioning that the prices in the venue in Independence Square are high. When you travel to Windhoek, do not leave without tasting the nightlife! Windhoek Festivals Oktoberfest (October) Independence Day Celebrations (21 March) Carnival (April) Jazz Festival (November) Arts Festival (May) Windhoek Public Holidays New Year (January 1) Independence Day (21 March) Good friday Easter Labor Day (May 1) Cassinga Day (May 4) Africa Day (25 May) Heroes' Day (26 August) International Human Rights Day (10 Dec) Christmas (25 December) Goodwill Day (26 December) Useful Information For Windhoek Emergency help: 112 Fire: 112 Police: 112

[irvinenewshq]

Namibia simply rolled out a digital nomad visa. It is fairly low-cost so long as you have got cash.

The Namibians suggest the Fish River Canyon as a must-visit for digital nomads. Namibia has joined the rising record of nations providing a digital nomad visa. In case your revenue is round R37,000 per 30 days, and you’ve got a clear police report, you may apply. The price of dwelling in Namibia’s most important cities is decrease than in Cape City and Johannesburg. For extra tales go to Enterprise Insider. Really feel like changing into a digital nomad however don’t wish to stray too removed from house? Now you may go simply subsequent door. With Namibia’s new Digital Nomad Programme, you will get a visa to stay and work within the nation for six months. The visa permits our contributors to work, journey and examine in Namibia, and you’ll apply for it on-line. All you want (apart from the same old journey paperwork, insurance coverage, and police clearance) is to indicate your proof of revenue or funds to maintain your self and dependants. That you must have $2,000 (about R37,000) per 30 days for your self, $1,000 (R18,000) per 30 days for an accompanying partner, and $500 (R9,000) per accompanying baby per 30 days. The visa software prices $62, the equal of a bit over R1,000. This price is corresponding to Malaysia’s digital nomad visa, however considerably cheaper than Thailand’s supply. Additionally it is far cheaper than visas for European and North and Central American international locations. The price of dwelling in Windhoek is cheaper than in Cape City or Johannesburg, however consuming out is extra dear. The lease in Swakopmund is cheaper than Cape City and Johannesburg, however consuming out and shopping for groceries will set you again between 4% and seven% extra. Namibia has first rate connectivity and a 98% nationwide community protection footprint. This implies which you can hook up with the web from basically anyplace within the nation. Month-to-month plans are principally beneath R1,000 per 30 days. If you wish to be extra cellular, simply be aware that the cellphone service will get patchy the farther from most important centres you journey, and never all resorts and nationwide parks have dependable wi-fi. As soon as you’re there and settled (and have rented a automobile, every little thing in Namibia could be very far) these are a number of the most important sights the Namibians recommend you check out:  Hike the Fish River Canyon within the Ai-Ais/Richtersveld Park within the south of the nation. It’s second solely to the Grand Canyon in measurement. Fly in a sizzling air balloon over Sossusvlei, house to the biggest sand dunes on the earth. Discover the dunes of the Sandwich Harbour, the place the desert meets the ocean. Do a half-day tour of Windhoek and uncover either side of the town together with the Katutura township. For wildlife images, Etosha Nationwide Park within the north provides basic safari excursions by an open automobile. Go to the traditional rock engravings at Twyfelfontain, that dates again to an estimated 6,000 years. Go stargazing within the NamibRand Nature Reserve. It is likely one of the most surreal experiences because the Worldwide Darkish-Sky Affiliation declared the reserve as the primary darkish sky reserve in Africa. Go to the ghost city of Kolmanskop.  Originally published at Irvine News HQ

[chasingadventuress]

My Solo trip to Zanzibar, Tanzania

Jambo (a Swahili greeting when translated to English means) Hello!

It’s been well over a couple of days since I arrived home from my trip in Zanzibar. I’ve finally managed to pen down my experience and I hope it gets to help many of you, who have been asking me about it, carefully plan yours as well.

I embarked on my journey to Zanzibar on Christmas day, many would ask why but having lived in Malaysia, a Muslim country for the past four years, Christmas had become just another day that I had gotten accustomed to not celebrating. However Christmas greetings and hugs with my family were shared before I had to board my plane at 06h45. 

Thank you South African Airways and Precision Air my connecting flights to and from Windhoek to Dar es Salaam, Dar es Salaam to Zanzibar and vice versa which were nothing short of amazing.  Although I had concerns about Precision Air with regards to flight delays and loss of luggage due to a few bad reviews that I had read on TripAdvisor prior to my trip.

So if you ever are flying from Dar es Salaam, or from any other domestic places within Tanzania such as Arusha perhaps you can try and source for another airline such as ZanAir or Coastal Aviation but I would still advise you read up various reviews on those airlines as well just to be sure.

 Why Zanzibar you may ask?

Well, from pictures, videos and a great conversation between a Tanzanian friend and I whom I had met during university I just knew that it was one of those places on my bucket list that I wanted to tick off.

To be honest when I kick started of planning my trip over a year ago, I had initially planned to go to London but then I remembered how horrible the weather was in December the last time I was there, so I opted to go somewhere warmer because you don’t get to explore much when it’s cold.

Mauritius was another island I had considered but taking into consideration all the admin work that needed to be done and recalling the not so great one night stay experience I had in the country two years ago, I decided that I was not going to put myself through that kind of stress again.

So Zanzibar it was, plus being a Namibian citizen meant that I did not need a visa to enter Tanzania as Namibian’s are exempted for about 90days.Tanzania and Zanzibar make use of the same visa so you don’t have to worry about being stopped by immigration at both Julius Nyerere International Airport and Abeid Amani Karume International Airport.

For any of you who do not hold a passport that offers visa exemption to Tanzania do make sure with your individual country visa requirements as to what procedures you should follow to obtain one. 

 So what and where is Zanzibar?

Zanzibar is a city located east of Africa and is found about 70 kilometres from the mainland of Tanzania. It is split into parts where one can find Stone Town which is UNESCO World Heritage. This part of Zanzibar is also where one would mostly find a lot of people conducting various businesses either through selling hand made goods, excursions or even operating hotels, stores etc.

Then there’s the island side of Zanzibar which I believe we have all seen through the media. There are a number of islands with two main big ones namely Unguja and Pemba Island. Do make sure too visit and stay in Stone Town for a few days before heading down to any island of your choice. 

 NB take note of:

Currency used in Zanzibar is US Dollars or Tanzanian Shillings, they accept both but also note that they do not accept any USD made before the year 2007.

Departure tax, sometimes if this is not paid for in your flight ticket you will have to pay USD 50 when leaving Zanzibar airport.

 Zanzibar has a large population of Muslims, remember to dress decently as it is very important to respect other people’s way of life, when in Stone Town try and cover up as much as you can. However on the islands being in your swimsuits and trunks is not frowned upon.

Get a Yellow Fever injection from your doctor one month before you embark on your journey.

Your passport should have a six months validity.

Zanzibar has fairly humid weather, pack wisely.

Don’t forget to pack yourself mosquito repellent as you will need it.

Main languages spoken in Zanzibar are Swahili, Arabic and English

 How I planned?

Whenever I travel I always draft up an itinerary as this helps me a lot with calculations and anything that I might miss if not written down.

Savings - I made it a goal in the beginning of last year (2018) that each month I would save about N$ 3500 (USD 244) for my trip. These savings were to make sure I could purchase my flight ticket, buy a few items, pay for accommodation, food, activities and still have extra money just in case of any emergencies because with traveling one can never be too sure.

Flight – I had an agent from Blueberry Travel Namibia book my ticket for me. Other agents I had also considered were Trip Travel, Rennies Travel and Welwitschia Travel, but I opted to go with Blueberry because they were efficient and also gave me two flight options varying in price difference of about N$ 1800 (USD 125).

In addition depending on which agent you choose to go for please do make sure you request that your agent also provides you with travel insurance because this can save you a lot. I paid about N$ 350 (USD 26) for mine.

Accommodation – I made use of booking.com which is a worldwide site that helps one find accommodation depending on the price you want. The good thing about booking.com is that it comes with reviews, information on services that the place of accommodation offers, pictures of what it looks like, nearby tourist attractions as well as options that allow one to reserve a room and only pay on arrival. So if you change your mind on where you want to stay you won’t lose out on anything and you can easily cancel your reservation.

As I am not big on staying in 5 star hotels because I am more of an experience life on the edge kind of person in most cases I’d either stay at a guest house or a female dormitory backpacker’s hostel while taking safety and cleanliness into consideration.  These types of accommodations are great if you’re looking to interact with people, I sometimes feel that it should be a goal as a solo traveller to want to meet and talk to people and this is a great way to do it.

While in Stone Town I stayed at Ten to Ten Hostel for three days. I had paid N$ 750 (USD 54) with city tax included. In Jambiani which is the island I went to for another three days,I stayed at Vanilla House run by a Polish and Maasai couple. I paid N$ 630 (USD 45) city tax included as well and had slept in a mixed dorm room.

Do make sure that when booking your accommodation through any website that city tax has been included into the price to prevent any surprises of having to pay more than you had budgeted for when you arrive.

Food – I had a budget of about N$ 270 (USD 20). This was only for lunch, dinner and snacking food items in between as my breakfast was included in both my accommodation packages. Food is relatively affordable in Zanzibar, one would normally spend about USD 10 per meal. And there is an array of food choices.

Transport on the ground – Stone town is very small you can go anywhere within the area by foot as everything is close by. However you will have to pay for transport if you plan on going to any of the Zanzibar islands as they are quite far depending on where you go.

My accommodation provided shared transport to various islands. The total cost of the transfers are usually around USD 40 if you go by yourself but if you choose the sharing van option depending on the number of people in the van you might end up paying a quarter of the full price. I only paid USD 10 as opposed to USD 40 for the shared transfer I was in. Spesho the driver of the van was a ball of fun to drive with I highly recommend him you can WhatsApp him on +255715297037.

There is also another mode of transport called Dala dala, the cheapest mode of transport for about USD 3 you can take one towards the island of your choice but note that it takes much longer to reach ones destination. 

Activities – I did not spend much on this because exploring is basically free unless you opt to go for city tours. There a many local people who will approach you for tours but politely decline if you do not want one.

The only activity I paid for was a village tour as I am very into interacting with communities. This tour was offered by @colorsofzanzibar on Instagram for about USD 50 which included a tour to a sea weed village, local school, a woman who taught me how to make rope out of coconut fibre, a local traditional meal of choice, a visit to the local hospital and a tour around the village and its local homes which are called Kibandas. 

 My Trip

Starting off from Stone Town

If I could describe Zanzibar to someone it would be that it is not like what I have seen on TV or in magazines, it was is so much more than I expected it to be. Every little detail in Stone Town was beautiful. The name Stone Town says it all, it gets its name from the ornate houses built with local stone by Arab traders and slavers during the 19th Century.

When I travel I always look to see if a place is able to make me feel at home and that’s exactly how I felt when I arrived. From the moment I landed people were very welcoming, everyone smiles and greets you with a jolly Karibu which means welcome and I knew then and there that I was going to have a great time.

The airport is rather very small so don’t be surprised, just adapt. There are also various airport transfers that can take you to your destination. I made use of Bennito who came highly recommended on all the research sites when I was planning my trip. Noting that I had arrived in the evening I wanted to make use of a reliable and safe transfer so Bennito it was, you can find him on Instagram @zanzibardestination or WhatsApp him on +255 743 072 597 and he charges USD 12 to Stone Town which is a 40 minute drive from the airport.

Just a heads up, there are no traffic lights or stops in Zanzibar so people drive like maniacs however don’t worry too much about the driving because they know their roads so trust that you will be okay.

When I arrived at my hostel, I noticed how filled the streets of Stone Town were with many tourists from all corners of the world as well as its residents walking around and socialising. As I mentioned earlier I stayed at Ten to Ten hostel which was very welcoming. Since it is somewhat of a newly built accommodation everything was really clean which I liked and it was centred basically in an area that was safe, surrounded by a number of places to eat and attractions.

My Highlights of Stone town.

I explored Stone Town by myself and whenever I got lost people were always willing to direct me the right way. I visited the Secret Garden at Emerson spice tea house where I had lunch and I was taken on a free tour of the hotel itself. It’s always good to ask if this can been done because you never know what you can score for free.

I also took a walk to Forodhani Garden which was a minute away from my accommodation. Basically this is a food market near a waterfront and every day just before sunset young teenage boys gather at the water front and jump off into the water to cool themselves.

I then also went to Darajani Market and the local fish market which was a free activity as welll. Along the way I stumbled upon Jaws corner, which is a corner where men usually meet every day to drink a cup of spice tea while discussing various life topics.

In addition I also went to a traditional spa called Mrembo Spa, where I chose a head, neck and back massage. This spa also helps Swahili females who are in the process of getting married prepare their bodies by clearing their skin to make it smoother before the big day. It also offers workshops where one can learn how to make incense sticks among other things. Mrembo spa can be found on Instagram @mrembospa or visit their website at www.mrembospa.com for their contact details.

Another discovery I came across was the House of Spices, which is a restaurant that till this day maintains its Arabic atmosphere and touring around the space was free. 

All these places that I had gone too were located really near my hostel. It would take me about 7 minutes to get to each which was very convenient. And then off I was to the island of Jambiani.

Ending off in Jambiani

About sixty kilometres, southwest of Stone Town was where my island of choice Jambiani was situated. Why Jambiani, well I wanted to truly experience and live the Tanzania local life that is away from all the touristy stuff.

Jambiani is a very big village, it’s so big that it has been split into two parts and has two local chiefs that run each side of the village. The village is home to Muslims, Christians and Buddhists

Since it is a seaweed village local fisher men are usually seen in the early hours of the morning pushing out their boats for fishing as most of the residents from the village survive on sea food. They also make their income from this. In addition local women from the village assisted by their children also make a living from seaweed farming which is very common.

Arriving at my accommodation, Vanilla House I was welcomed with smiles and a fresh glass of mango juice before they had taken me to where I would sleep. On the very same day I found myself amidst a small intimate beach wedding that my place of accommodation was hosting where a polish couple eloped. This was amazing because it was my first time experiencing a beach wedding and now I am definitely left wanting to someday have a beach wedding of my own. 

On the very same day which was a Friday, I also got the chance to attend another wedding but this one was much bigger. It was a local Muslim wedding and I had been informed Muslims usually celebrate their weddings on Fridays. Most of the people from the community gathered around in a circle and had a joyous dance off. Jambiani was truly just amazing.

During my time there I also awoke to the most beautiful sunrise I had ever seen while overlooking the soothing sound of the oceans waves. 

Throughout the three days I spent on Jambiani I explored the beach this too was a free activity. I also took a bike ride that was offered by my accommodation for US 5 along the beach.

I as well had the opportunity to get on the local boats of Zanzibar called Dhow boats with a young man called Harry and is father. Although language was somewhat of a barrier Harry and I communicated pretty well as he knew a little bit of English.

All the meals I had throughout my stay were freshly prepared depending on whatever I wanted to eat and many restaurant on the beach were affordable as well.      

There is so much I can say about both Stone Town and Jambiani but I would want you to experience it for yourself to see exactly what I mean by it is nothing short of amazing. I hope that this write up will help you plan your trip or any other trip in general that you might want to take.

[pridesafari-blog]

If you are really seeking for exploring Northern Namibia completely in your next holiday vacation, then you must choose our 10 Day Northern Namibia Tour package which can be customized as per your wish. This tour package covers Windhoek to Waterberg, Etosha National Park, wildlife, Etosha Pan-the place of dry water and many more.

[ultimateketomealplan]

NAM vs UGA Dream11 Team Prediction: Check Captain, Vice-Captain, and Probable Playing XIs for 1st T20I match, April 08, 4:30 PM IST

NAM vs UGA Dream11 Team Prediction: Check Captain, Vice-Captain, and Probable Playing XIs for 1st T20I match, April 08, 4:30 PM IST

NAM vs UGA Dream11 Team Prediction and Suggestions for today’s 1st T20I match between Namibia and Uganda: Uganda are touring Namibia for a three-match ODI series followed by two One Day Internationals. The series will get underway on April 8 with the first T20I scheduled at the United Cricket Club Ground in Windhoek. Namibia will have an edge over Uganda. Namibia scored a 3-0 win in the T20I…

[divyabhashkar]

NAM vs UGA Dream11 Team Predictions: Check Captain, Vice-Captain and Probable Playing XI for the First T20I Match XI, April 08, 4:30 PM IST

NAM vs UGA Dream11 Team Predictions: Check Captain, Vice-Captain and Probable Playing XI for the First T20I Match XI, April 08, 4:30 PM IST

NAM vs UGA Dream11 Team Forecasts and Tips for Today’s 1st T20I Match between Namibia and Uganda: Uganda are touring Namibia for a three-match ODI series followed by two one-day internationals. The series kicks off on April 8 with the first T20I scheduled at the United Cricket Club Ground in Windhoek. Namibia will be ahead of Uganda. Namibia won the T20I series 3-0 and won the ODI games 2-0 when…

[primortravel]

New Post has been published on https://primortravel.com/fantastic-things-to-do-in-swakopmund-namibia/

Fantastic things to do in Swakopmund, Namibia

Swakopmund is a beautiful town on the coast of Namibia, about 350 km west of Windhoek. It’s safe to say that Swakopmund is the most beautiful and interesting town in the country. It’s definitely worth including it in your Namibia road trip itinerary. 

There are many amazing things to do in Swakopmund from observing incredible wildlife to skydiving over the desert and tasting local craft beer. If you’re looking for a nice place where you can stay for a couple of days and chile Swakopmund is a great option. Swakopmund is a perfect place for solo travelers and those who don’t want to rent a car. There are many group and private tours that take travelers to the main highlights of Namibia. 

Swakopmund is a beautiful town in Namibia with many great things to do

Nature and wildlife experiences in Swakopmund

You’ll be surprised by the diversity of wildlife and landscape of the area. Within a couple of hours’ drive, you can see impressive sand dunes, bizarre rock formations, deserted coast, and thousands of animals and birds. 

Visiting Dune 7

Many tourists associate Namibia with desert so visiting the highest dune in the Namib Desert is a must-do thing for anybody visiting Swakopmund. Dune 7 is situated 35 km south of the town close to the road you don’t need a 4×4 to get to it. There is a parking lot at the dune you can leave your car there. Sunset is the best time for visiting the dune. You can enjoy the sun going down from the top of the dune in the endless Namib Desert. 

Dune 7 is not the only famous dune in the Namib Desert. If you want to see impressive dunes and dried salt pans make sure to visit Sossusvlei. 

Campbell on the top of Dune 7 at the sunset, one of the not-to-miss things to do in Swakopmund

Watching flamingos in Walvis Bay

Wildlife around Swakopmund is incredibly diverse. The flamingo colony in Walvis Bay, a small town 40 km south of Swakopmund is one of the places worth visiting. You can see birds from close-by from the promenade. A tidal pool at Pelican Point is the best spot for watching these magnificent birds. The best time to see flamingos in Walvis Bay is between November and April. During the peak season, December to March, there are thousands of birds in the area. 

Spotting whales and dolphins from a boat 

Watching flamingos is not the only thing to do in Walvis Bay. If you do a boat or catamaran tour at Pelican Point you will be able to see whales, dolphins, seals, sunfish, and leatherback turtles. The best season to see whales are the winter months from July to November. During that time you can see Southern Right Whales and Humpback Whales. Other marine animals can be seen year-round. You can do a catamaran tour to see the diverse marine life of the Namibian coast.

If you’re planning to visit southern Namibia consider visiting Luderitz, a small coastal town in the south of the country. There are some interesting things to do in Luderitz including observing marine wildlife.

Driving along the Skeleton Coast

The secluded coast of Namibia is an interesting place to visit. A drive along the coast is an adventure on its own. The name comes from several shipwrecks that can be found along the coast. Some of the wrecks are worth a stop. Zeila wreck is probably the most famous here. It’s a well-preserved wreck situated close to the shore, about 60 km north of Swakopmund. 

Shore fishing is a popular activity on the Skeleton Coast if you’re a keen fisherman bring your rods with you. 

You can include a drive along the Skeleton Coast into your Namibia Victoria Falls Road trip. 

Zeila shipwreck on the Skeleton Coast near Swakopmund

Watching seals at Cape Cross

It’s is one of the not-to-miss places in Namibia. Cape Cross is a nature reserve that is home to the largest land colony of Cape Fur seals. In the peak season, you can see up to species. The best time to visit Cape Cross Seal Reserve is the breeding season, between January and March, when you can see thousands of cute seal cubs crawling around the area. Visitors walk on boardwalks seals and their cubs aren’t disturbed by human presence. If you’re a nature photography lover Cape Cross is a fantastic place for taking close-by photos of seals. The only downside of the place is the smell if you’re sensitive bring a napkin or a mask with you.

You can combine a visit to this place with a drive along the Skeleton Coast. Cape Cross is 130 km north of Swakopmund. 

Working hours – daily from 10 am to 5 pm

Admission fee – NAD 150/US$10 per person, NAD 50/US$4 per car

Visiting Cape Cross Seal Colony is a not-to-miss activity in Swakopmund

Looking for wildlife in the desert

The desert might look like an uninhabitable place for untrained eyes. In fact, many endemic species can be found in the sand dunes just outside Swakopmund. Don’t expect to see big mammals but rather small endemic species like lizards, snakes, beetles, and spiders. This activity is one of the things that I’d strongly recommend doing with a guide. During the tour, you’ll learn a lot about the wildlife of the Namib Desert.

Admiring Moon Landscape and Welwitschias

The Moon Landscape is situated 40 km east of Swakopmund. You can visit it as a day trip from the town or on the way driving from Windhoek or Sossusvlei. The landscape in that part of the Namib desert reminds the surface of the Moon. From the lookout point, you can see rocky hills carved in the desert by the Swakop River. The landscape was formed millions of years ago when the climate in the region was more humid. In the background of the valley, visitors can see the Rossin Mountain.

There are several points of interest in the valley including rare plants, World War I remains, mines, and bizarre rock formations. If you want to visit all points of interest (beacons) you’ll need 4-5 hours. 

Besides the surreal landscape, visitors can see the Welwitschia mirabilis. These plants are unique to the Namib Desert. They’re called living fossils. The average age of welwitschias is 400-500 years though some of the plants reach 1500 years. 

To visit the beacons you need a permit that can be obtained at Ritterburg Office in Swakopmund. You can visit the Moon Landscape and see Welwitschia with a guided tour from Walvis Bay.

Visiting the surreal Moon Landscape is one of the great things to do in Swakopmund

Visiting Spitzkoppe

Spitzkoppe means pointed dome in German. This beautiful place is located 150 km northeast of Swakopmund. It’s famous for its granite peaks and bizarre rock formations. The peaks dominate the plains of the Namib Desert. The highest peak is 1728 m. You can visit Spitzkoppe is a day trip from Swakopmund. If you don’t want to do a self-drive trip you can join a small group tour to Spitkoppe from Swakopmund.

To really appreciate the beautify of the place I’d recommend staying here for the night. Camping under the stars in this incredible place is an amazing experience. Spitzkoppe Camp is one of our favorite campsites in Namibia. 

Adventure things to do in Swakopmund

Adrenalin junkies and outdoor lovers will have plenty of things to do in Swakopmund to keep them busy for a couple of days. Swakopmund can easily be called the adventurous capital of Namibia. 

4×4 drive in the desert

Driving in a 4×4 car past the giant sand dunes is one of the not-to-miss things in Swakopmund. For a desert drive, you can head to Sandwich Bay, drive along the Skeleton Coast, towards the Moon Landscape. Before going on a drive make sure you have enough petrol in your tank, check your wheels, pack a spare tire in your boot, and take enough water and snacks with you.

You don’t have to rent a 4×4 vehicle to enjoy the desert joining a day tour is a great option of experiencing the drive especially if you’re not very confident with driving on rugged sandy surfaces.

Quad biking in the dunes

Another great activity in Swakopmund. Riding a quad bike is a fun way to experience the desert. To be honest, I prefer it over 4×4 driving it’s more exciting and you can actually go over pretty big sand dunes. No need to worry about getting stuck or having a flat tire. Plus, everyone (even older children) can get his/her portion of adrenaline and maneuver over the dunes. 

Alya is ready for our quad bike adventure in the desert

Skydiving over the desert

Tandem skydiving is an activity not for everybody. I must admit we didn’t do it. Mainly because it didn’t fit in our budget and we do regret it. Luckily Namibia is not far from South Africa I’m sure we’ll get a chance to do it on our next trip. 

Enjoying the incredible landscape of the Namib Desert while free-falling from 2000 m is definitely a lifetime experience. Add to this the scenic flight over the wild Atlantic coast where the desert meets the ocean. The free fall lasts between 30 and 40 seconds but it feels like a lifetime (believe me I’ve done it once).

Kayaking 

Kayaking around Bird Rock Island is a fantastic way of observing the diverse marine life of the region. During the excursion, you’ll get to see dolphins, seals, flamingoes, pelicans, and other marine birds. Paddle in a kayak is a must-include in your Swakopmund itinerary especially if you’re a bit overwhelmed by sand dunes and the desert. As an option, you can combine kayaking with a 4×4 desert drive. This way you’ll get to see both the impressive dunes of the Namib Desert and the diverse marine life of the region.

Flamingos at Walvis Bay are one of the things you can see kayaking around Bird Rock Island

Riding a bike in the desert

Exploring the Namib Desert on a bike is a truly amazing thing to do in Swakopmund. Cycling over sand dunes gives you a chance to enjoy the unique environment of the desert without engine noises and air pollution. For us, doing any outdoor physical activity after spending days sitting in the car was amazing. Cycling on sand is a bit tricky and quite challenging sometimes, especially when you try to go up the hill be ready to sweat from both the effort and the heat. When doing any outdoor activity in the desert always put on sunscreen and wear a cap. 

Sandboarding

Sandboarding from the high dunes of the Namib Desert is a great and fun activity. Going down a sand dune on a board standing is quite tricky. It might take a couple of tries to get hold of it. It helps if you have some experience in snowboarding though it’s not the same. 

 If you want an easier alternative you can do a lie-down sandboarding. In my experience, it’s faster to go down lying down than standing. Whichever way you choose prepare yourself for a physically challenging walk up the dunes with your board after every slide. 

Sandboarding is a fun thing to do in Swakopmund

Things to do for culture and food lovers

Nature and adventure activities are not the only things to do in Swakopmund. The town offers great cultural and gastronomical experiences. 

Exploring the town on foot

Swakopmund is our favorite “walking town” in Namibia. It has everything to enjoy a nice stroll: long sandy beaches, small squares, beautiful architecture, cozy coffee shops, great vistas from the pier. We stayed in Swakopmund for almost a week and were very happy just to walk around after many long days of driving. All the main attractions, restaurants, shops, and the beach are close to each other you really don’t need a car to move around. 

The architectural highlights of Swakopmund are the Prinzessin Rupprecht Heim building, the Old Prison, the State House, Woermannhaus, the Lighthouse, Hohenzollern Building, and more. Most of these remarkable buildings were built at the beginning of the XX century. 

The Lighthouse is one of the architectural highlights of Swakopmund

Meeting locals

Township tour just outside Swakopmund is a great way of meeting locals and learning about different tribes living in the area. Visiting the townships gives you a chance to see Swakopmund from a different perspective. You’ll meet the Damara, Nama, and the Herrero people. During the tour, you get to visit a local school, try some traditional homemade food, listen to the choir, and more. It’s a fun, informative, and engaging way of experiencing local culture. 

If you’re interested in the Namibian tribes you’ll enjoy visiting the Himba People in Northern Namibia.

Chilling on the beach

What can be better than relaxing on the beach after long days of driving through the desert?! We really enjoyed long sunset walks and morning runs on the long sandy beach in Swakopmund. Like everywhere in Namibia the ocean is pretty cold not really suitable for swimming. Temperatures range between 18°C in summer and 14°C in winter. 

Palm Beach near the Jetty in Swakopmund is a nice place of chilling

Visiting the National Marine Aquarium

It might be not the first choice especially if you have limited time to spend in Swakopmund. The great thing about the aquarium is that you can learn about the marine life of the region. There are only local species that live in the Atlantic’s cold Benguela Current. You can see here sharks, rays, lobsters, and different kinds of fish. The aquarium is quite small you’ll need an hour or two to visit it. It’s an interesting place to visit with children they’ll enjoy watching rays feeding and running through the glass tunnel. 

Working hours – Tue – Sun, from 10am to 4pm, feeding daily at 3pm

Admission fee – NAD 30/US$2

Learning history at the Swakopmund Museum

The museum was established in 1951 by Dr. Alfons Weber. Nowadays it’s the biggest private museum in Namibia. Here you can learn pretty much everything about the region from indigenous plants and animals to the traditional living styles of local tribes and old motorized vehicles. It’s a great place to visit especially if Swakopmund is a starting point of your Namibia trip.

Working hours – Mon – Sun, fom 10am to 5pm

Admission fee – NAD 30/US$2

An old wagon at the Swakopmund Museum

Tasting craft beer

If you’re a beer lover you’ll definitely enjoy Swakopmund. Its German past To get a first-hand beer tasting experience visit the Namib Dunes Craft Brewery. They have a great variety of beers and ales. 

If you want to have a great meal e.g. a steak, a burger, etc. with your beer make sure to visit Joe’s Beerhouse or SKW Brathause and Beergarden. Both places have delicious food, good beers, and a great vibe.

Enjoying fresh seafood

Fresh seafood and fish are something not to miss in Swakopmund. Here you can enjoy freshly caught local specialties such as lobsters, oysters, and fish. There are several great restaurants where you can try some of the best sushi and seafood in Namibia. Ocean Cellar and Jetty 1905 serve fresh seafood, excellent sushi, as well as meat and vegetarian dishes. From both restaurants, you can watch the sunset enjoying a delicious meal. 

How to get to Swakopmund?

The best way of moving around Namibia is by car. If you’re coming from overseas you’ll probably fly to Windhoek where you can rent a car. The easiest is to rent a car at Windhoek Airport. It allows you to be flexible and make spontaneous changes to your travel itinerary. 

Swakopmund is 300 km west of Windhoek, the drive takes about 4 hours. Many travelers prefer visiting Sossusvlei first and from there go to Swakopmund. Sossusvlei is 400 km south of Swakopmund. The road is mostly gravel, it takes about 5 hours to drive. 

If you don’t want to rent a car you can get to Swakopmund with a shuttle bus. There are several companies operating on this route. The best is to ask your hotel to arrange it for you. 

For solo travelers joining a small group tour across Namibia might be a good option. In this case, you don’t have to worry or plan anything yourself. 

Where to stay in Swakopmund?

There are plenty of accommodation options in Swakopmund for different budgets from backpackers’ hostels to luxury hotels.

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[worldfootprints]

Most travelers journey to Namibia to admire the unique wildlife of this Southern African nation. The capital city of Windhoek, an Afrikaans word meaning ‘windy corner,” is generally, nothing more than a layover for visitors, before embarking on adventures in Etosha National Park, the Skeleton Coast, or elsewhere within this rugged, unspoiled country.

Before your wildlife safari or self-drive adventure, take a day or two to discover Windhoek’s history, particularly the township of Katutura, where the city’s black population was forcefully moved under Apartheid. I found a bike tour to be a humble, respectful, non-intrusive way to explore the tangled streets of this former township and its vibrant community.

View of Katutura, Namibia

Katutura’s Creation

Namibian culture is a blend of German, Dutch, English and African influences because of its history as a German colony and its subsequent control by South Africa as a territory. Namibia broke away from South Africa and its system of Apartheid after the politically charged ‘South African Border War’ (also called the ‘Angolan Bush War’) of the 1970’s and 80’s. The country became independent in 1990.

Katutura is a few miles north of the center of Windhoek, but it might as well be worlds away. It is literally on the wrong side of the tracks and it’s where in the 1950’s and 60’s, the South African government forcefully moved the city’s black population. The name Katutura is a local Otijiherero word that means “the place where we do not want to live.” While whites-only Windhoek thrived, Katutura went without sanitary water, electricity, or any gainful employment.

Even now, decades after Apartheid’s demise, Katutura’s residents still struggle. Most live in small shacks cobbled together from cinder blocks and corrugated metal sheets. Access to water is so hard that spigots are padlocked to prevent people from stealing it.

Bicycling to the Single Quarters Market

Photo of Anna Wafila taken by Chris Chesak.

I booked a half-day bike trip through Katu Tours, which was started by Anna Wafila, a local who, with the help of a grant, opened her business in 2011 at the age of 29. She began with 18 recycled bicycles. She now has a fleet of dozens of new bikes, all generally well maintained.

We donned the required bike helmets and reflective safety vests and biked to the lively ‘Single Quarters’ market for a taste of kapana, a traditional street food of sliced grilled red meat and fat. When it’s ready, it’s kept warm on the grill, often next to a ball of batter called a vetkoek (‘fat cake’ in Afrikaans). We ordered by placing an amount of money next to the chef and then he provided us what he considered an appropriate value of meat.

The Shebeens of Eveline Street

Next, we biked to bustling Eveline Street, which was so filled with ‘shebeens,’ small, local bars, that the neighborhood is said never to sleep. Additional shops crowd the street too, though most businesses in this still-struggling neighborhood are hairdressers, barber shops, car washing stands, or the ubiquitous shebeens.

Wafila’s tours depart from and return to the women’s co-operative nonprofit Penduka Project at the Goreangab Dam. The co-op provides employment opportunities for up to 660 women, who make jewelry, table linens, cushions and other products. Sales from the women’s handicrafts also help support local tuberculosis patients, organize exchange programs with European countries, and provide interest-free loans to help women with their studies or to buy a house. The Penduka Project also provides traditional Owambo dancing and music for the clients of Wafila’s tours.

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A Moral Dilemma Over a Photo

At one stop on our tour, I thought I saw what was going to be a great photo. In the foreground of the photo would be the water spigot, with a shanty five or six meters behind it. I focused the photo on the large padlock on the spigot.

As I squatted down to line up the shot, excited to help tell the community’s story of hardship and struggle, Wafila scolded me. She pulled the group aside and reminded us to respect the locals and their privacy. I put my camera away. I decided to find another way to tell the story of Katutura.

Dining on Local Delicacies

Post-ride, we tasted some local dishes at Xwama Restaurant where we dined on local delicacies like cornmeal porridge and soup, millet or cassava, Potjie stew, sheep’s head, and Mapone worms. The worms intrigued me because I’d heard stories about this local, tribal delicacy, and how modern Namibians adopted them in their cooking by grilling them with minced garlic and salt. Admittedly, I was excited to try them because… why not? However, the worms I tasted were prepared in the traditional way and I found them well cooked and rather tasteless.

Washing our hands before our meal. Photo: Chris Chesak

Enjoying (?) a taste of sheeps head. Photo: Chris Chesak

Xwama meal. Photo: Chris Chesak

The biggest food challenge was with the sheep’s head. I couldn’t bear to pull meat from its head and eat it because the sheep kept ‘staring at’ me, with his dead eyes and his lips pulled back into a sinister grin.

After dinner, we topped off our day with a few games of pool at the Phat Boys Pub in Tauben Glen. We drank Windhoek lager beers as well as brandies and Coke as we played.

So before embarking on adventures in Namibia, stay a night in Windhoek and visit Katutura. More than two-thirds of Windhoek’s population lives there, and lately, the residents have a new name for their community. They call it Matutura – “the place where we want to stay.”

Meeting the locals at Phat Boys. Photo: Chris Chesak

Inside Phat Boys. Photo: Chris Chesak

Biking Windhoek’s Bustling Township of Katutura Most travelers journey to Namibia to admire the unique wildlife of this Southern African nation. The capital city of Windhoek, an Afrikaans word meaning ‘windy corner,” is generally, nothing more than a layover for visitors, before embarking on adventures in Etosha National Park, the Skeleton Coast, or elsewhere within this rugged, unspoiled country.

[journeyneverends]

Day 74 - Malaria strikes

Craig Tingle and Tom Woodard two great riders. Eight countries down only two to go. After 5,500 miles, I’m finally getting into shape.

Windhoek

More Herero woman shopping

Stage 74 – Buitepos to Witvlie Namibia

162km ( 108 mi ), 6:10 hrs, 26.2kph avg, top speed 58kph

Another long day. I took it easy after yesterday. We have another big day tomorrow with some climbing into Windhoek, the capital and largest city in Namibia.

Just before lunch two cheetahs crossed the road but I didn’t see them. There were more of the trees with flowers that grow in a circle around them. It is starting to get dryer. We are on the trans Kalahari highway. I am really looking forward to this segment. Namibia, like Botswana, has few inhabitants and are sparsely populated. A little over 2m for the whole country.

I rode solo. The clouds grew ominous as I raced to make camp but it started raining and blowing about an hour out.

Speaking to a local of the Herero people, see pictures of ladies from yesterday, the are related to the Masai and like them, they are herders.

Malaria strikes Marty the Kiwi. He rode into camp and collapsed. A few hours later Harriet. Our tents have been 20’ apart for most of the tour.

Day 74 – Malaria strikes was originally published on Journey Never Ends

[namibiatours-blog1]

Reasons to Travel to Namibia for a Safari

A blockbuster mix of eminent scenes that will make you have a feeling that you are on another planet, probably the best-untamed life viewing on the landmass, a large group of captivating desert-adjusted plants and creatures and stunning normal miracles make Namibia a nation you will always remember. Namibia tours & safaris of reputed tour operators make possible for you to enjoy all these while you have the best of comfort, safety and guidance of local guides.

The diversity that you can witness

Namibia's landscape and sights are as amazing as they fluctuate. It goes from the Namib – the world's most established desert that is a huge and excellent wild spreading over a significant part of the nation in sandy fields, hill oceans and savanna, to where rises meet slamming seas on the sensational Skeleton Coast. It also travels to rough stone mountains enhanced with antiquated stone workmanship; the monster split a salt container of Etosha National Park and the bewildering profundity of the Fish River Canyon.

The experience that you can have

Adventure during Namibia tours & safaris is in every case practically around the corner in Namibia. Regardless of whether it is handling a difficult 4x4 course in a remote region, plunging down a sandhill on board, or sky jumping over the desert, there are unlimited approaches to encounter the nation with some adrenaline-initiating fun.

To do what needs to be done, the system of well-looked after streets, astounding vacationer foundation and a wide scope of cabin choices imply that Namibia is both one of the most secure and least demanding nations in southern Africa for independently directed Namibia tours & safaris and a solid contender for this current world's best touring the countryside goal.

When to go

As a critical extent of the nation's property is covered by the Namib Desert, Namibia is an overwhelmingly dry, sub-tropical goal that is washed in superb daylight for a great part of the year. Temperatures can encounter colossal varieties, from day to night and summer to winter, and there are increasingly mainstream times to visit dependent on climate and untamed life viewing. The normal day-by-day temperature is 25 degrees C however; this plunges to a much lower level overnight.

The fundamental part to consider is the climate and you can see that there are very large varieties relying upon where you are going, and even from day to night.

The last piece of the dry season from July to November, this is the most well known time to visit Namibia as the nation chills off and dries out. It is additionally the best time to consider enormous to be as the creatures gather at watering openings. November can be variable, notwithstanding, and you may at present experience the sweltering, dry climate yet it can likewise be shady and imprint a promising start to the blustery season. Birders will appreciate the last months, as vagrant winged animals show up, foreseeing the beginning of the downpours. So, July to November is the ideal time to have Namibia tours & safaris.

Where to go to have the best experience?

Southern Namibia

Verging on South Africa, Namibia's southern area has a great deal to offer as far as wild desert scenes and outside exercises, from kayaking on the Orange River through the other-common desert landscape of the |Ai-|Ais/Richtersveld Transfrontier Park to the stunning majesty of the Fish River Canyon, Africa's biggest ravine.

Central Namibia

The transcending hills of Sossusvlei to the German waterfront town of Swakopmund and the whales of Walvis Bay make central Namibia the ideal place to visit. Additionally, the laidback capital of Windhoek to the moving sands of the Namib-Naukluft National Park, central Namibia is home to a portion of the nation's most well-known fascination and best experience exercises, making it one of the top territories for Namibia tours & safaris.

Northern Namibia

Northern Namibia is home to a portion of Namibia's most prominent untamed life, most stunning scenes and least accessible regions, from the waterholes overflowing with creature life in Etosha National Park, to the restricting ridges of the Skeleton Coast, and the impressive piles of Damaraland to free-wandering desert rhinos and elephants. Exploring a lot of northern Namibia spells experience: you'll need a 4x4, navigation gear and your own provisions, however, the prizes are tied in with having the option to inundate yourself in the immaculate wild during Namibia tours & safaris.

Discovery Transfers & Tours is the ideal tour operator to explore and enjoy a vacation at Namibia. Call at +264 8124 89010 to have a word with their tour specialists.

[ravi1805]

Lokesh Holidays #International Tour operator in Chennai #europe #uae #travel #tour #india #adventure #luxury #explore #australia #singapore #chennai #holidays #vacation #malaysia #tourism #bali #traveling #thailand #usa #andaman #veitnam #touroperator #asia #cheap #south #agent #travelagency Any of our transformative Desert or Bush or Beach retreat offers, will provide you with an incredible opportunity to connect deeply with the elements and energy of nature. Travelling through Namibia awakens your emotions and senses, colours becomes brighter, smells becomes more intense and your taste buds marvel with appreciation. After your inner rediscovery, your sixth sense will finds its mystical home and re-connects your soul! What's Included? • 1 x 4x4 Toyota Double Cab plus super cover insurance. • 1 x Day Windhoek (Bed and Breakfast) - Arebbusch Travel Lodge • 2 x Days Sossusvlei (Dinner Bed and Breakfast) - Desert Camp • 2 x Days Swakopmund (Bed and breakfast) - Hotel Zum Kaiser • 3 x Days Etosha (Dinner Bed and Breakfast) - Etosha Village • 1 x Day Windhoek (Bed and Breakfast) - Arebbusch Travel Lodge Duration 10 days Destination Covered Sossusvlei, Etosha National Park, Swakopmund, Windhoek and Namib Desert Best Suited All CT - 044-42183338, 9444022628, 9940221849 https://www.instagram.com/p/B4wpaLbgi4n/?igshid=rucbvt57ghv2