Namibia: An Explorer’s Paradise
By travel journalist Rebecca Underwood.
Top Image Local residents at the Ongava Lodge
The Republic of Namibia, in the south of the African continent, borders the South Atlantic Ocean, Angola, Botswana, Zambia and South Africa. A German colony during WWII, the country was occupied by South Africa and administered as a mandate until the end of the war when the territory was annexed.
The war of independence began in 1966 and in 1988 South Africa agreed to end its administration in accordance with the United Nations peace plan leading to independence in 1990. With a rich history and an intriguing culture, Namibia, the most sparsely populated country in the world, offers a unique experience for explorers.
Image Ongava Lodge residents
Namibia was the first country in the world to incorporate the protection of the environment into its constitution with 14% of the land protected, including virtually the entire Namib Desert coastal strip. The Namib Desert, the oldest in the world, stretches along the western coast, while the Kalahari runs along the south-eastern border with Botswana. I was keen to embark on an exciting adventure and I was simply enchanted by the outstanding beauty of this wonderful country.
My first stop was Windhoek, the capital, and it is a charming, cosmopolitan city with excellent accommodation options. I chose to stay at the enchanting Heinitzburg Hotel, which was commissioned in 1914 by Count von Schwerin as a home for his fiancé Margarethe von Heinitzburg. The hotel, a stone castle, sits high on a hill with breath-taking views across Windhoek. Many of the rooms are wood-panelled and tastefully decorated with works of art by popular Namibian artists. As one would expect in luxurious surroundings, the service is excellent and the cuisine, which is served in the main dining room, is superb.
After a deep slumber and a hearty breakfast I was eager to start my journey into the heart of the country. As my schedule was tight, the best way to travel long distance is by private charter and my next stop was Sossusvlei, an ephemeral pan in the centre of the Namib Desert. I was overwhelmed with the mesmerising sight of the world’s tallest dunes, towering over 1,000 feet above the surrounding plains. It is a truly humbling experience to observe Mother Nature at her very best and I took the opportunity to scan the horizon searching for springbok, gemsbok, cape fox, polecats and aardwolf, all surviving in these harsh conditions. The unique fauna and flora against the panorama of colours is a simply magnificent sight and I was utterly captivated.
Image Dining at the Ongava Lodge
The 7,000 hectare private Sossusvlei Wilderness Camp provided me with the highest degree of comfort after the dusty desert safari. The camp, built using natural materials, offers privacy and exclusivity and each room has its own private plunge pool, bliss! Also, this site offers the ultimate romantic al fresco dining experience under the brilliance of twinkling African stars.
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A short flight from Sossusvlei to Swakopmund and then a quick transfer by road to Walvis Bay Lagoon and I embarked on a boat cruise, which was the perfect spot to unwind, taking in the magnificent scenery and a spot of bird watching. I was fortunate to see a pod of playful dolphins frolicking in the sea and with the salty air in my nostrils I reluctantly disembarked. I was then whisked away to the Hansa Hotel, which is the ideal location to investigate the desert. This property offers a taste of old world charm with spacious and comfortable accommodation and excellent service. The site is situated 400 yards from the beach and I was easily persuaded to take a late afternoon dip.
Image Ongava Lodge accommodation
The following morning I opted to transfer by air to the privately-owned Ongava Game Reserve, which covers 30,000 hectares and is on the southern border of the Etosha National Park. This game reserve is a premier wildlife park providing the ultimate African experience with great concentrations of game and spectacular views of the salt pans, which dominate the centre of the park. I stayed at the Ongava Lodge and on arrival I was warmly welcomed and escorted to my rock and thatch en-suite chalet, which was the ideal spot to relax and recuperate.
The camp’s waterhole is viewed from the main lounge and dining areas and the anticipation of seeing African wildlife so close by is thrilling. Ongava has both white and black rhino residing on-site and I was most fortunate to see both.
Nature walks and night drives are permitted in this area and I highly recommend this experience. This is indeed an explorer’s paradise.
Image Ongava Lodge Game Viewing Hide
One last air transfer and I arrived at Okonjima in the Omboroko Mountains, part of the Namibian Waterberg Plateau and situated 225km from Windhoek. A visit to the Africat Foundation is a must and provides an unforgettable opportunity to learn a great deal about lion, cheetah, leopard and puma.
Back in Windhoek, and prior to my departure, I was fortunate to have some time to visit one of the exclusive purveyors of diamonds. Namibia produces 8% of the world’s diamonds and a tax refund applies on departure. Alas, my budget was depleted, but I intend to return to explore more to this wonderful country and perhaps splurge on something that glitters to remind me of Namibia’s carpet of stars.
Visit Namibia for an adventure of a lifetime.
Images, excluding the Hansa hotel, courtesy of the Ongava Game Reserve.
• For more information on the Ongava Game Reserve, visit ongava.com
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