Travel Namibia

• Namibia Travel

If the trip on the road in the remote regions of South Africa seems you gamble, read on.

My favorite conference on travel here 2 years is the World Summit travelers. Last year it was held in Namibia, and the company Matador invited to become part of this team. Dozens of "pre-conference" adventure gathered for summit participants, as well as it was possible to develop your own.

Basically, we wanted to go on a trip with a route of 1,300 km a large and diverse parts of this vast country - all under its own power, without guides. Once we have our truck and the open road. It was fucking great.

Welcome to Namibia

Arrival

When we arrived in Cape Town, we had no idea what to expect. Looking west from the window of the plane, we were approaching Windhoek, the sunset like a river in the endless desert. The expectation that the front was palpable, and for me and for the company's creative director Scott Sporledera Matador.

Logistics

When we arrived in the capital, we were greeted by David and outstanding ATI team that planned the route for our trip. Driving the African road can bring you a little more adventurous than most people can imagine, but I can assure you of the following: (1) Self-drive is, without doubt, the best way to see Namibia (2) The quality of vehicles, equipment and logistics ATI are such that can be nothing to worry, and (3) you start to notice pretty quickly that Namibia - this is a safe place, and the roads here - shockingly reliable.

Arrival in Etosha

After leaving Windhoek, our journey began in the Etosha National Park, it's probably - the most famous wildlife park in Namibia. In the park you can see all the animals of the "Big Five" (elephant, rhino, buffalo, lion, leopard), and we looked forward to our first independent safari.

The two worlds, separated by the rainy season

Etosha Park - a huge expanse of land, located around a large lake in the rainy season, but when the rain stopped, it seemed a large frying pan. We were there in the dry season, and it's easy to find wildlife, focusing on water bodies that have not yet had time to dry. Although the search for production can be more difficult when everything is green and water in abundance. I look forward to returning to Etosha Park during the rainy season, when hundreds of elephants will cool off in the lake.

Birds with character

You will see a huge number of ostriches in the Etosha Park. From shooting video, as they run parallel to our truck at a speed of 64 km / h to seeing how they are fun to drink water, we shot a bunch of video with these fun creatures.

You do not need to break the rules

In Etosha Park as almost all car parks in Africa, it is assumed that you adhere to these roads, but it does not prevent you get closer to the wildlife of Namibia.

The place where rhinos thrive

Namibia is the only country in Africa, where wild populations of rhinos are increasing in number. The question "Why is this happening" actively discussed, but in Etosha park rhino can be found quite often, they are not shy and always very well protected.

Breathtaking scenery

As with most of Namibia, Etosha park scenery are good enough to stay for a couple of minutes, even if the animals around and there.

breathtaking scenery

Our small flock

On our second day in the park we came across a huge herd of zebras. At least 2,500 of them crossed the road on which we were traveling, and slowly but moved to one of the largest reservoirs of the park, until he became invisible to them.

Zebra

The days of doing nothing

To save energy, the lions are most active at night while hunting. During the day they usually sleep out of every 20 to 24 hours.

Family clans

Impressive population of elephants in Etosha Park. A real pleasure to see how they are fooling each other in the mud for sun protection and travel across the country after sunset.

the dusty whirlwind

Due to the dry land and the heat we saw a ton of huge dust vortices on long stretches of road through the Etosha Park. Some of them were the size of a small tornado.

Leaving Etosha Park

After a couple of quick, but very fruitful days of safari we headed north towards the remote out of the park through a large open area and did not see anyone for hours.

Family feuds

Near one of the ponds, which we drove to the remote road, we came upon a large herd of elephants, which are bathed in the mud and splashing in the water. We have witnessed rather intense sparring between the two males.

(adapted) style for a few days

From Etosha Park, we drove north to the border with Angola, and the people began to change the style of clothing. Apparently, when the German colonists arrived in Namibia, indigenous people have borrowed elements of their style of dress, and the result is unique and colorful.

Himba

After several hours of driving, we arrived in Opuwo, one of the most densely populated areas with the indigenous people of the Himba who still practice their beautiful way of life in small villages surrounded by dry mountains.

A warm welcome

We brought a few jugs of water, sugar and other goods that are valued in the village, and the inhabitants invited us to see the village huts, storage space for food and livestock. After a month or so, they will be collected and moved to a different location in search of better grazing for their animals.

The Bachelor

This young soldier who motioned that he was about 14, says little in English.

Portraits Himba people

Another type of lotion

In place of water treatments, Himba (particularly women) daily applied over a layer of mud. It is a mixture of clay, cow dung and crushed plants and roots. Despite the flavor, this blend is clearly good for the skin.

The baby Himba

Powys

Not so shy

Despite the lack of contact with the most modern technologies, the children were not shy in front of cameras and they like to see themselves on the LCD screen after each photo.