We read, “Don’t bother with Namibia. I can take you to the beach and show you some sand. It is over-priced and over-rated.” Being from the desert in Arizona, and serious budget travelers, we almost did not go.
Namibia!
As we met and talked with fellow travelers who loved Namibia, a new plan and path emerged. So, after that 20-hour bus ride to Windhoek we rent a car and venture into the sand.
The road to Solitaire, Namibia
The road transforms from pavement to gravel, making for slow travel. We’ll call it “magnificent travel.” Vast terrain transforms in color and formation every several kilometers.
Blue Wildebeest crossing the road
We’re getting worried that our small Volkswagen may be running out of gas (gauge is stuck on full).
Where are we?
We haven’t seen another vehicle for several hours, except for a mule-driven cart.
The only folks sharing the road
Namibia has a population of only 2 million people, as opposed to South Africa’s 53 million. No wonder it’s one of the safest countries in Africa!
Solitaire, Namibia
The town of Solitaire certainly earns its name. They could have named it “Relief.” After a gas-up, we make like a baby and “head out.”
Desert Camp, Sesriem
Let’s make camp in a safari tent at “Desert Camp.” The tent comes with a bathroom and back porch kitchen.
Living the Braai life!
Talk about a porch with a view…we are in planetary paradise. Fire up that lamb braai! 
Suddenly, the road turns straight, forever into oblivion. Changing sunlight sets mountains, dunes, and vastness aglow with different colors.
Namib-Naukluft National Park
Impalas, ostriches, gemsbok and wildebeests also love the desert.
Ostriches
In the morning, many rush to Namib-Naukluft National park to climb the dunes and watch the sun rise over the landscapes.
Dune 45
About every ten years, rains flood the washes and riverbeds. That’s when Sossusvlei, a large ephemeral pan, comes to life.
Catching sunrise on Dune 45
It attracts hundreds of thousands of migrating birds from as far away as the Arctic. Usually, though, the pan is dry and looks like a different planet.
Sossusvlei
Some of the highest dunes on earth are formed by some of the oldest sands in our world. Here, they separate the desert from the Atlantic Ocean.
Zebras – really?
Back on the straight, gravel road, Zebras come out of nowhere.
The road to Walvis Bay
We’re heading to the Namibian coast, totally grateful that we decided to travel here. Gotta have more sand! Ron Mitchell
FANFREAKINTASTIC PICTURES!!!!!
Pictureastic!
Amazing place!! You guys are comfortable (comportable) anywhere! Good for you!!
We keep going transportable!
(reading the comments) So Jack is digging the snow in the Junction? lol
Man, I would SO love to do some of this crazy stuff…
Marti, my folks are digging the great weather in Phoenix watching Jack! He’s a lucky boy, works out well for everybody.
Very interesting adventure Ron & Mare.
Bunk, wait til you see the seals and flamingos!
Breathtaking images! Glad you made the extra effort to get there. Happy trails, be safe, be well, and all that. xxiosoierngaoicjpneoaqeinan cat just stepped on the keyboard, so if you can interpret that, that’s Tashi’s message to you. 🙂
Thank you, Jill. Tashi said to say hello to her relatives.
I am so glad that you added Namibia on to our Africa trip. We visited the Western Cape in 2005 and decided to add a week on for Namibia. We did not regret it and similarly it was some of our favorite memories. We did do Etosha because we didn’t really see many animals in Western Cape but also loved the Namib desert and Erongo. Thanks for sharing your trip and gorgeous pictures.
My pleasure, Marta. Thank you for visiting and appreciating. There is so much in Southern Africa. We’ve done trains, planes, buses, and hire cars for 10 weeks now, with no major problems, and could truly stay longer! Time to go, though.
Can understand why you were recommended not to go to Namibia, looking at the pictures it looks amazing! And no other people, can’t get any better in my opinion! 🙂
Yes, the people are very friendly, and have a very high literacy rate. Nothing seems to be crowded! Tourism is certainly growing, for good reason.
Beautiful shots!!! I so want to visit Namibia! Hope one day I will get the chance…
I hope so too!
Enchanting, colorful photos match your great text to form images in the mind of a most dreamlike, expanse
Love your posts and blog, thanks so much for stopping by. Eddie
Thank you very much for visiting and leaving such poetic words. We are fortunate to experience this amazing planet!