Well the first step to getting over the

Well the first step to getting over the idea that really plain impossible to go to Africa is the fact that it's not as exotic as you might think... well, sort of. I mean it certainly is even now exotic and far-flung, with an surroundings of danger and romance thrown in? Sure. But is it so unique that nothing will be like home and you'll feel lost and out of your element and home-sick while 10, 000km from your home? Nope, probably not. And for individuals who aren't regular globe trotters living the nomad life, that is great reports.

You see, Africa was colonized by many different European countries and they've all left their mark. The Aventure and Greeks conquered much of Upper Africa at various times, and you may even find examples of this throughout fusion cuisine such as Italian/Ethiopian restaurants in America. The Dutch and the English both colonized South Africa, they speak Costa da prata in Angola because that's who have came in and colonized (same with Brazil), the West of Cameras was largely colonized by France (they even had some of America if you remember - Baton Rouge, New Orleans, Quebec, Montreal, and so forth ), and the country we build outdoor fireplaces in Castle Rock we're centering on - Namibia - was colonized by Germans. "Now, that's each and every one well and great", you're pondering, "but what the hell does this should do with me? ". Simple - a lot of Europeans already visit countries just where their ancestors colonized. They speak the language and often know somebody. So while Africa is in general still vast and untamed, you can definitely get yourself a bratwurst and a lager during your journey through Namibia. Sure, you can always take in some gazelle or zebra too to make it more thrilling, but if you look and feel homesick and want something common, you can definitely find it.

Now that which is covered, you might be surprised to find out exactly how easy it is to get there. There are lots of immediate flights from New York to Gabardine Town and Johannesburg, and following that it's no problem flying to Namibia's capital city of Windhoek. There are lots of standard, European-style hotels there and the US ALL dollar is pretty much accepted anywhere. Namibia's government is also tied to South Africa's so they're a bit more steady than the average African country. Namibia even has a good road system and it's highway signs and directions were installed with all the accuracy and even effectiveness the Germans could gather, which is saying something. All in all, Maltahohe, namibia is possibly the perfect place to check out Africa and its wonders.

Well the truth is, not every country in Africa is normally war-torn and in constant civil warfare with rebels driving down every block threatening you with AK-47s or lions on leashes. I know this may shatter your world view, sometimes countries are pretty well run. The most important thing for Namibia is their previous Apartheid government it shared with South Africa, but that of course is officially over for a while now, and instead of bitter resentment it seems like everybody there is just happy to have it be done. Sure some countries are far better left un-seen for the casual traveller, but Namibia is plenty safe.

Nowadays, that being said, Namibia is also vast and even sparsely populated. So while they have safe on a human level, typically the countryside and animals can be unsafe. However because of this, everyone is always on the lookout for each other. I don't think I ever pulled over to check a map just where someone that passed didn't stop to make certain I was okay. It's just the approach it is out there - you have to seek out each other.

Good question! Let me tell you a bit about my trip there.

After landing at Windhoek's Eros air-port, I got a rental cell phone, found our ride to the rental car depot together with took off. Rental cars are really a good choice in Namibia. They don't have very much public transit and the roads are usually in good condition. So I had a shiny Toyota Corolla waiting to take me in the safari dreams when I arrived. I am aware, I know - a Corolla isn't very exactly what you think of when you think safari in Africa. But what can I say, I was by myself and smaller cars are cheaper. Plus this idea was a bit beefier than a United states corolla. Trust me, the car is probably more up to the challenge of driving inside Namibia than you are. Case in point, it survived my crash no problem. I mean it wasn't a huge crash, but still. Aspect note: crashing your car into the employee's break table before you even depart the rental car lot is not a powerful way to instill trust in a rental car company. Damn the driver's seat being on the right and shifting considering the left!

Cars are to Namibians simply because horses were to cowboys in the Us West. Once you're out in the region, you basically live and die by your car, so be good to it. You'll be with it a lot too simple the roads are well kept nevertheless they're still not an interstate freeway system. Think of how driving is Ireland and you'll get the picture. Budget more time than you think it'll take to get some where and be sure to pick-up some maps at the rental car business office.

Don't be surprised if you see lots of guys in official Jeep or even Mercedes shirts hanging around, or cars with black-out tape all over these people. Namibia is where many car businesses test prototypes for heat plus rough roads, and has some of the best off-roading trails in the world to give SUVs a proper workout. See what I'm stating about cars and Namibia? They just go together.

After checking out downtown Windhoek and stocking up on items at a local grocery store, I attended bed early to get a jump heading on heading out to the country and traffic. I didn't want anyone around while I was learning to push on the left. I was off to Sossusvlei in the South to see a real, honest-to-God desert. Taking B1 out of town, you will see lots of hills and ravines, big chunks of rock the size of houses strewn here and there instant definitely a feast for the sight. But the turn-off to C24 is when the real fun starts. Honestly this kind of road could be the newest stage on the planet Rally Championships. It's a dirt road that makes the best wooden roller-coaster envious of all its zips and zags. It runs through the Naukluft hills, whose terrain looks like a crumpled up piece of paper. There was even 1 hill steep enough (though no more than 30ft height) that I couldn't get up in 1st gear! I had to be able to reverse and try again with an increase of of a running start. Fun operating, but you're definitely ready for an escape when you get to solitaire.

When you check out Sossusvlei, be sure to head there since you can in the morning for two reasons. Initially, because the sun hitting the sand sand hills at an acute angle makes for very dramatic and beautiful lighting. Second, cause you'll want to climb those dunes and hike the vleis prior to it gets scorching hot out of doors. Miss either of these and you'll truly be disappointed.

Sossusvlei is just one of many vleis in the area. I took the particular desert ferry over to them and even saw Dead vlei, Sossusvlei and lots of smaller vleis. The vleis, furthermore, are pans of dried dust and rock. There is so little rainfall and so much evaporation that it sucks all the moisture out of the ground until it is much more like fired ceramics or perhaps bricks. Almost nothing can grow in them and they are mostly barren wasteland between towering (up to 1, 000ft) crushed stone dunes. Very forbidding, very fatal, and very beautiful.

After a day within the desert and relaxing the night aside with French travelers staying at the exact same guest farm as I, it was enough time to move on to someplace cooler. Swakopmund is known as a tourist town in Namibia to get exactly the opposite reason Florida and even S. California are for North Americans - it's cold there. At the very least it is compared to the scorching deserts close to it, and not only is it cold, recharging options wet. A current of freezing water from Antarctica makes it's way north along the coast of South Africa and Namibia. It finally heats a bit and rises up outside Swakopmund, cooling the air around that making an air conditioner for the whole town. When the cool air hits the hot wilderness air blowing in, it makes prodigous amounts of fog. All this adds up to a massive array of land and sea everyday living, and makes Swakopmund not only a destination for their temperature, but also for it's ecology as well as a booming adventure scene to explore and possess fun in all the area offers.

For just a great apres-adventure beer, head to typically the authentic German Brewhaus. Wurst of each and every shape and size, beer flowing down waterfalls into 5 liter glasses offered with a side of leiderhosen as well as a polka band for every table! Ok, it might not be

German, but this is definitely the real deal. Come for the draught beer, enjoy the food and love the live music provided by drunken over-landers.

Oh occur, you really want it all don't you? And I suppose you want 5-star dinners with that, and airplane rides over the most exciting aspects of the country as well? Well you're in luck. You can have all of that if you want, together with Etosha is the name of the game if it's time to Safari in Namibia.

Etosha is a monstrous salt-pan in the north of the country, with an even larger national park surrounding it. It might be well known for game viewing inside the dry winter, when animals come in droves to the man-made watering gaps. In the summer, it becomes a birders paradise as the pan floods and a huge number of birds (including large flocks of flamingos) come to wade.

I offered myself a bit of a treat and remained at a luxury lodge just outside the park. Cell signal isn't robust in the north so I wasn't in a position to ask for more specific directions as I acquired close. Torrential downpour made typically the roads thick with mud plus the Corolla was having some difficulty on the dirt when I finally found the turn off for the lodge. Web site was trying to communicate with some residents who spoke no English together with couldn't fathom what I was performing in the country in a 4x2, and VOLKS WAGEN minibus comes tearing down the road together with through the gateway, followed by a armed forces vehicle. A huge old German in fatigues gets out, slowly starts off smoking a cigarette and methodically - almost strategically - gives directions to the bewildered VW denizens, his help, and myself at the same time. "You're looking for Nauanaua? " he admits that as more of a suggestion than a dilemma, using The Force like he's Darth Vader. "I work for Nauanaua... I will get you there. Park behind the fence", he says, motioning to the hot and razor-wired fence he simply drove through. And just as I'm stepping into the car, happy to get from the rain, "No wait! You should not park in there. There are

in there... KABOOM Lightning strike! holy crap I'm in Jurassic-freaking-Park!! After the terrified Germans and I get into the military automobile, it's a leisurely ride uphill by means of waist-deep mud, often sideways, at all times with all differentials locked, fogged-over windshield and constant water dripping on us through the roof. We made little talk about whether we just got kidnapped by a Survivalist or not, and if there was all be eaten by the elephants. However once at Nauanaua, all worries were put to rest. The lovely better half of the old German in fatigues (together, they're the owners) welcome us with open arms together with fruity drinks. Ahhh, what a way to turn a rough day completely around! Here's to Africa.

Once you've made it into Etosha, the world seems to open up a bit. There are long streets going out in all directions, and slow-motion operating becomes the name of the game. Take your time, go poor and try to spot animals out in the distance and wait for them to come more detailed. Remember that the animals are in bill - if they're blocking your way on the road, wait for them to clear. Getting patient will often get you better image ops as well.

You can camp inside the park, and I'd recommend that for maximum safari time. You will find four camps with both hotels plus campgrounds, and all have illuminated providing water holes for game viewing. Typically the animals are most active through the night, so this can be a great opportunity. You can also go on guided safari through the camps or any of the lodges surrounding Etosha, which can be a good option since they generally know the park and animals intimately.

After the big safari experience, it had been once again to Windhoek for one yesterday before winging my way back to be able to America. Now this is where getting a GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM with my car would've already been very handy. I drove everywhere over the downtown area for over two. 5 hours trying to find the rental car whole lot. I had a detailed map of Windhoek and their address, but the two only never seemed to jive with the actuality of the streets. And up to this point looking for someone who spoke decent English wasn't hard, but of course this time every business I stopped at for directions it was German, Afrikaans, or bust. Eventually I found it, they were just about all happy (surprised? ) to see i made it back in one piece, and got my shuttle to the hotel.

And exactly what a hotel it was! I wanted to shell out my last night at The Heinitzburg, an oldtime German-built castle perched on a mountain high above the city (and the sole Relais &amp; Chteaux hotel inside the country), indulging in luxury after our solo-safari experience but alas, it absolutely was not to be. I had to "make due" with the Executive Suite at the Olive Grove instead. Simply wonderful board and lodging and staff - sure it had been a bit more pricey than the rest, nonetheless every once in a while you have to splurge, right? Especially on the last night of your African adventure, and I hope you do the exact same.