Home » Namibia » Overlanding across Afica in our Land Rover Defender: Namibia

14th march - 4th april

Overlanding across Afica in our Land Rover Defender: Namibia

Andy Lees
2006-05-16 14:28:42

Displayed times (last time: )

sunrise. in front now, we took the sensible option and climbed onto the ridge. "vandalism!" came the shriek from behind us. "they're destroying the dune!" claimed the now hysterical woman who didn't want anyone to pass her.

a few words were exchanged, but we left her beloved ridge as she seemed about to cry. thankfully they never made it to the top where we enjoyed the sunrise in peace. we reminisced about the last time we'd climbed it, a whole truckload, straight up the ridge, enjoying the climb and the dune and everyone happier for it. in fact we think the footprints accentuate the shadows beautifully.

that afternoon it rained in the desert. this was a rare treat, apparently. maybe if you're namibian, but if you're english ...

the next day we headed for windhoek and when we climbed the escarpment to the high ground, the rain really started. the normally smooth and well graded dirt roads began to erode under the deluge. we splashed through rivers that probably only run once a year and slipped and slithered through what would normally be hard baked mud. at least it wasn't dusty anymore.

we stayed just outside windhoek, in a lodge frequented by austrians who've flown in for the hunting. it was an unusual crowd for us to be mixing with, but we were made very welcome.

hunting for fun isn't our thing. we eat game meat though, so we can't object to it either. the hunting revenue also, perversely, provides a great deal of the income for african conservation. but to hunt a cheetah, as they would do the following morning, now that we really can't understand.

windhoek - 21st march

back in windhoek and the rain so we found ourselves a room with satellite tv and its own kitchen and settled in for some serious 24hr tv marathons. there's little to see in windhoek and we had timed our arrival with independence day celebrations. the streets ...