Road Trip Complete Guide

Top 10 places to see!

Plus 10 namibia travel 30 day itinerary Accomodation, maps, tips, budget all you need to know!

A Stingy Nomads Travel guide Features About The Author Top 10 places in Namibia. Best sights to see FROM THE EDITOR

Namibia travel itinerary. We had to leave after our From Fish River canyon to wedding since Alya’s visa expired. Namibia was the easiest option, neither of us needed a visa or have ever been there Top 10 Awesome and budget and it was only 700km away. We packed campsites in Namibia our little green 4x4 and a couple of hours later we were crossing the border. Two Namibia travel tips refugees entering a new country. I have been to more than 60 countries, living so Campbell (South Africa) and close I don’t know why I have never made Alya (Russia) met in a dormitory this trip. What an incredible journey; while traveling in the Philippines vast landscapes, colonial towns, ghost in 2014. They have been towns and the spectacular red dunes of traveling and photographing the the Namib, the rugged Skeleton Coast, Editor world together since that day incredible waterfalls, granite peaks and [email protected] getting married allong the way. massive canyons. The variety of wildlife They make their way on a super that we saw in this harsh environment budget doing a lot of camping was extraordinary. Our journey was more Contributing Writer and hitchhiking trying to dive than two months, camping in 35 camp- Alya Akhmetgareeva and hike the world’s best. Stingy sites, our aim was to bring you the best Nomads is a blog about their of Namibia in an easy to follow guide. Contributing Writer nomadic adventures. On our way we met the nicest people, Campbell Louw stayed in amazing places and just had an unreal experience in this incredible coun- Photos try. There is a lot more information on Campbell Louw our website stingynomads.com/namibia Alya Akhmetgareeva or please contact us if you have any questions. [email protected] Safe Travels

Campbell Alya

stingynomads.com

2 • STINGYNOMADS.COMDesignfreebies Magazine • www.designfreebies.org Designfreebies Magazine STINGYNOMADS.COM • www.designfreebies.org • 3 Sossusvlei, 2. Namib-Naukluft National park

One of the top touristy destinations in Namibia and we can understand Namibia is an amazing country we spent there 6 why. The most beautiful dunes in the weeks crossed it in all possible directions and saw Namib, the famous red dunes espe- cially look impressive at sunrise. Dune many different places. Here we want to share with 45 is one of the few you can climb on you our 10 favorite sights in Namibia. We selected to see sunrise. Dead Valley is a dried only natural wonders because in our opinion it is salt pan with some petrified trees sur- the main thing to see in the country and not its cit- rounded by huge dunes, surreal land- Dune 7, ies or town. If you’re planning a trip to Namibia and 3. wondering What to see and to do in this country? Maybe not as impressive and as red as dunes at Sossusvlei but still a Here is our lost of Top 10 places in Namibia! beautiful and by the way the highest dune in Namibia. It’s located close to the road and easy to access (not in the best of park) which makes it a perfect spot for watching sunset. Try running down from the top it’s a lot of fun! The climb namibia can be a bit challenging but the view TOP 10 SIGHTS - ARRANGED from the top is worth of this effort. SOUTH TO NORTH Fish River canyon, Ais/ Flamingo Colony, 1. Richtersveld National 4. Walvis Bay park Probable not the biggest concentra- The second biggest canyon in the tion of flamingos in the world but world, only The Grand Canyon is a couple of thousands was quite larger, truly spectacular to see. You enough for us. The birds walk and can enjoy the panoramic view from feed very close to the beach so you the view-point. For more adven- can see and hear them very clear. An turous there is a 4-5 day hike in the amazing spot for wild life photogra- canyon where you can challenge phers you just park you car and here yourself and explore every corner they are thousands of pink flamingos of it. you almost can touch them. 4 • Designfreebies Magazine • www.designfreebies.org Designfreebies Magazine STINGYNOMADS.COM • www.designfreebies.org • 5 Seal Reserve Skeleton Coast Okavango river, Caprivi One more very dense populated Caprivi region is so different from the 8. 5. animal spot in Namibia. Here we rest of Namibia that it feels almost like speak about 20-30 000 seals! When a different country. Very dense vegetation, you’re there it’s difficult to believe a lot of water and many animals and birds. your eyes seals are just everywhere. In Okavango river you can see many hippos, If you are lucky to be there after the some crocodiles and mating season you’ll have a chance to see thousands of baby seals crawl- otters. Elephants here just walk along the road ing around, the cutest animals ever! while you are driving from town to town. Boat Warning! The place is quite noisy and safaris are quite common way to explore the a bit stinky.

Spitzkoppe, Usakos, 6. Damaraland Beautiful place with wired shape rock formations; big and small smooth boulders all over the place. There is a lot to explore here from rock pool where you can have a nice refreshing swim to Bushmen rock paintings. You can do day hikes in the , Kunene area or drive around to discover more. region There is a basic campsite between the One of the most famous African parks and for We were many people a highlight of their , amazed by the trip to Namibia. The park is really Bwabwata National 9. park, Caprivi 7. impressive and big with many natural beauty wild animals walking around. In The smallest National park in Namibia which of Namibia. winter (Jan to March) spotting animals is a lot makes it easy for you no long days of driving This is what you more difficult, we did not see much. Most peo- around and less space for animals to hide. come here to ple that spend 2 or 3 days in the park see the To drive both routes through the park takes big 5. If you are a bird lover than rainy season about 3-4 hours and in that time you can see see, not towns or is a good time for you to come you will find a lot; many elephants, all kind of deer, giraffes, cities..country and hundreds of birds abound. warthogs, buffaloes, even lions and leopards if nocountry and not

6 • DesignfreebiesSTINGYNOMADS.COM Magazine • www.designfreebies.org you’re lucky enough. Designfreebies Magazine STINGYNOMADS.COM • www.designfreebies.org • 7 EpupaFalls,Kaokoland, Kunene 10 region Big waterfalls in Namibia?! Yes, quite big and impressive with giant baobab trees around. The For centuries, the people of NA best season to see the waterfall is from January to Africa have turned to the S T TOP M March during rainy season when it’s on its full. The baobab tree as a source of

best way to experience Epupa Falls is to stay in one natural wellbeing and general H

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of the lodges/campsites nearby from where you can health. B G

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A see and hear the falls. S

This is not photoshop this is namibia

8 • STINGYNOMADS.COM Designfreebies Magazine • www.designfreebies.org THE DEAD VLEI Designfreebies Magazine STINGYNOMADS.COM • www.designfreebies.org • 9 We spent 8 weeks in Namibia driving all over the country and visiting every single (or almost every) interesting place. In this article we’d like to share our experience and give you some Namibia travel itinerary useful tips. We hope our Namibia travel itinerary will help you to plan a trip in the best pos- From Fish River Canyon to Caprivi strip and back. sible way. Total distance 7488km through Namibia.

Suggestions for planning a road trip through Namibia

We’re perfectly aware that most travelers won’t have as much time as us to explore Namibia and will have to choose between different places and “sacrifice” some of them since there are too many. Here are our ideas on what you can skip and what is a must visit, please, don’t take it too serious it’s only our opinion if you want to see a place go there and don’t listen to anybody. Check our entries Top 10 places in Namibia it can help to plan your trip. What to skip Must see places

First of all Namibian cities and towns - Definitely Sossusvlei, probably the most there are some nice like famous and visited place in Namibia. but it’s still just a town you can see them everywhere rather spend more time - Etosha, one of the best National parks exploring Namibian nature. in Africa (not during rainy season).

- Luderitz, the main thing here is ghost - Cape Cross Seal reserve, there are not town Kolmanskop and it was nice to see that many places in the world where it but it’s quite out of the way doesn’t you can see 30 000 seals from that close. matter from where you coming so if you short in time we’d say skip it. - Fish River canyon, the second biggest canyon in the world, impressive and - Windhoek, don’t plan to much time for stunning. it, actually one day will be enough to drive or walk around and see some plac- - Caprivi region and Okavango river, es unless you want to visit some game very different form the rest of Namibia, farms around the city. with amazing wild life. Complete itinerary: Noordoewer - Ai-Ais - Fish River canyon view point - Luderitz - Sesriem - Swakopmund - Cape Cross - Hentiesbaai - Brandberg - - Swakopmund, is probably the nicest Outjo - Etosha park - Kamanjab - - Opuwo - Ovahimba Living museum town in Namibia I can see why tourists - Epupa Falls - Ruacana - Ondangwa - Tsumeb - Grootfontein - Rundu - Divundu like but than staying in the town itself (Ngepi campsite) - Kongola - Katima Mulilo - Ngoma border () - explore nearby places. Go to flamingo Kasane - Ngepi campsite - Grootfontein - Otavi - Otjiwarongo - Waterberg - colony in Walvis Bay, climb Dune 7, visit Dinosaur’s Footprints campsite - Omaruru - Spitzkoppe - Windhoek - Mariental Moon Valley etc. - Keetmanshoop - Noordoewer. As a born Namibian (and still living here), I think you deserve some kind of an award from Total distance 7488km the Namibia Tourism Board or something, for this super super article. professional, covering Beautiful scenery of Southern Namibia. what tourists would like, better than almost

10 • Designfreebies Magazine • www.designfreebies.org any article. even bicycling tourists can use this Designfreebies Magazine • www.designfreebies.org • 11 STINGYNOMADS.COM STINGYNOMADS.COM for budget purposes, etc. Congratulations! Canyon Roadhouse, 30 days budget for 2 people. Namibia travel itinerary a nice spot for taking photos. - Petrol (our main expense, NAD11-11,5 per 1l, average consumption 11km per 1l) – NAD8800/US$648

- Accommodation (27 nights camping, 2 nights in the car) – NAD7000/US$516

- Food and drinks (we rarely ate out, mostly cooked) – NAD5400/US$398

- Entrance fees (National parks) – NAD1705/US$126 What was the most difficult thing on Namibia trip?

It was our first long road trip we used to travel only with our backpacks so for us it was difficult to spend so much time sitting in the car. Don’t know how people drive across Africa but we after almost 2 months in Namibia were quite tired of sitting. As an option you can bring a yoga mattress Chamieites with you and do some stretching after a long day of driving. Foodstop, between FINDING CAR WRECKS FOR TAKING PHOTOS Keetmanshoop and Fishriver Canyon. 1.- Canon (Canyon) Road- house (16km from Fish River canyon viewpoint and Hobas campsite), many old cars in the garden and in the bar, some with trees or plants growing through them.

2.- Chamieites or Chamaites (85km from Keetmanshoop on the way to Fish River can- yon and Noordhoewer), a food stop with three or four nice old rusted cars in the yard. Solitaire lodge (50km from 3.- Solitaire lodge (50km Sesriem on the way to from Sesriem on the way Swakopmund), to Swakopmund), quite “It’s really beautiful. a few big and small cars around the restaurant area. it feels like god visits

everywhere else

Top three photo spots with but lives here” old cars in Namibia; - will smith 1 – Canon Roadhouse; 2 – Chamieites; 3 – Solitaire.

12 • Designfreebies Magazine • www.designfreebies.org Designfreebies Magazine STINGYNOMADS.COM • www.designfreebies.org • 13 Complete one month itinerary for Namibia self drive safari Day 2

Day 1 (Namibia road trip, Week 1) Ai Ais — Fish River canyon view point – Aus – Luderiz, 464km, 7h. Noordoewer – Ai-Ais, 118km, 2h30min. A long day of driving on the gravel road The border post at Noordoewer opened 24 hours so you can cross it any time, it takes not more with beautiful scenery, two photo stops than 20 min. to finish all formalities on both sides. (Canon Roadhouse and Chamieites food stop) with picturesque old cars. But Things to see most of the drive a lot of nothing.

Orange river, kayaking, swimming in the river. Things to see

Beautiful desert scenery on the way to Ai-Ais. Fish River canyon view point is a must see. To drive to the view point you pay NAD60-80/US$4,5 Places to stay per person, plus NAD10/$0,7 per car. It’ll take 1 hour or so to drive to and back and take some photos. For more adventurous souls we’d recommend Fish River canyon hike, 4-5 days, amazing If you arrived a bit late than rather stay at Amanzi camp, near Noordoewer, NAD140/US$10 pp. We experience to hike the second biggest canyon in the world. For more details check our article camped here on the way back and absolutely loved this place! HERE.

Ai-Ais is a fancy resort with hot springs at the end of Fish River canyon. The place was ok but we Wild horses near Aus, watch for the sign. won’t stay here again, too expensive NAD190/US$13,5 pp for camping. Places to stay Hobas camp, NAD170/US$12 pp, 10km from the canyon view point (entrance fee to the view point is not included in camping price). We stayed at Riders backpackers hostel in Luderitz, NAD110/US$8,5 pp for dormitory, NAD300/ US$23 for double (shared bathroom). Canon (Canyon) Roadhouse, NAD175/US$12,5 pp for camping. Shark island campsite, NAD150/US$10.

Day 3

Driving around Luderitz and its surround- ings, 50km, 5 hours

Things to see

Kolmanskop, a Ghost Town Diaz point

Grosse Bucht (Big bay), penguins, pelicans and flamingos Shark Island

Catamaran tour to Halifax island Kolmanskop, ghost town, Luderitz.

Sunset at Orange river, Noordhoewer.

14 • STINGYNOMADS.COMDesignfreebies Magazine • www.designfreebies.org Designfreebies Magazine STINGYNOMADS.COM • www.designfreebies.org • 15 the amazing sossusvlei ay 6 Nothing but breathing the The Elegant Desert lodge – Solitaire air of Africa, and actually D — Swakopmund, 300km, 4h. walking through it, can Beautiful scenery drive with very few food communicate the inde- and petrol stops. scribable sensations.” Things to see

Kuiseb Pass

Day 4 Tropic of Capricorn (not far from Solitaire, watch for the sign) Luderitz – Aus – Sesriem, 465km, 7h. Dune 7 and sunset from its top Long distances between petrol stations and food stops, make sure to fill your tank and to buy enough water. Places to stay

Things to see Skeleton Beach backpackers, NAD120/ US$8,5 pp camping incl. breakfast Wild animals; , wild horses, gemsboks, zebras on the way.

Places to stay Mile 4 Caravan park, NAD120/US$8,5 pp camping Sophia Dale Base Camp, NAD125/ Sesriem campsite, NAD200/US$14 US$9

Sossus Oasis campsite, NAD180/US$13 Desert Sky backpackers, NAD160/US$11,5 pp camping We slept in the car, 5km away from the entrance Day 5 Day 7

Sesriem — The Elegant Desert lodge, 50km, 50min. Swakopmund and surroundings, 70km. Driving around to see some nature won- Very early start if you want to catch sunrise from Dune 45 and long day of driving between ders, stop for a coffee in one of the cafes stunning red dunes of the park. Take some snack or sandwiches, water, sun glasses, hat and and chill after a long day at a bar drinking sunscreen by 10am it’ll be very hot and sunny. German beer. Things to see Things to see at Places to stay Sossusvlei Flamingo colony in Walvis Bay The Elegant Desert lodge, Deadvlei AD107/$7,5 pp camping Dune 7, sandboarding, dune buggy, sun- set watching Moon Valley, 20km from Big Daddy dune Solitaire Lodge, NAD150/ Swakopmund US$11 pp camping Dune 45 The Woermann Tower, the Hohenzollern Haus, the Kristall Galerie, Jetties, Sesriem canyon. Swakopmund museum.

16 • STINGYNOMADS.COMDesignfreebies Magazine • www.designfreebies.org Designfreebies Magazine STINGYNOMADS.COM • www.designfreebies.org • 17 Day 11 Day 8 (Namibia road trip, Week 2) Mopane Village lodge – Etosha – Mopane Village lodge, 80km, 7 hours Swakopmund — – Cape Cross seal reserve, 122km, 1h30min. Beautiful drive along the coast with Entrance fee to Etosha for NAD80/US$5,5. A long day of driving around and spotting animals, a couple of wrecks on the way and many fishing spots. take some food and water with.

Things to see What can you see in Etosha? - Skeleton coast - Ship wrecks, e.g. Zeila Pretty much all African animals; lions, hyenas, leopards, elephants, giraffes, zebras, rhinos, - Cape Cross Seal reserve many different antelopes etc. But remember if you visit it during rainy season your chances Flamingos colony in Walvis Bay. to see animals get smaller. Places to stay - Cape Cross lodge/campsite, NAD100/$7 pp for camp- ing. Day 9

Cape Cross – Hentiesbaai – Brandberg (The White Lady lodge), 232km, 3 hours. If you have time you can make a small loop and drive through Spitzkoppe (164km), a beautiful area with huge boulders, rock pool and amaz- ing night sky. We went there later on the way down. Cape Cross Seal Reserve. Seal babies Things to see are super cute! We were in Etosha during the rainy season and did not see much else than 1000’s of -The White Lady rock paintings springboks! -Ugab River Valley -Desert elephants Day 12

Places to stay Etosha – Kamanjab – Palmwag (Khowarib lodge), 365km, 5h30min. Scenic drive through - We camped at White Lady lodge, NAD110/$8,5 pp Grootberg pass with stunning view over the area. camping, plus NAD30/$2,5 per car - Brandberg Rest camp (Uis), NAD150/US$10,5 Things to see - Grootberg pass (1640m) Day 10 - Giant termite nests - Places to stay White Lady – Outjo – Etosha (Mopane Village lodge), The White Lady rock paintings. - We camped at Khowarib lodge, NAD150/US$11 315km, 3h30min. - Palmwag lodge, NAD180/US$13

Things to see - Vingerklip, 35m high pillar of rock Day 13

Places to stay Palmwag – Opuwo – Ovahimba Living museum/Omungunda campsite, 200km, 3h30min. - We camped at Mopane lodge (Anderson gate), NAD150/$11 per person Not a very long drive to Opuwo, honestly not the best town but has some supermarkets, - There are a couple of campsites in Etosha, e.g. Namutoni, petrol stations and ATMs. There are two lodges right in the town but we’d recommend to drive further or if you have time to go all the way to Epupa falls (140km more) and stay at Olifantsrus, prices start from NAD250/US$18 pp for Vingerklip, on the way from White the river. camping. Lady to Etosha. 18 • STINGYNOMADS.COM Designfreebies Magazine • www.designfreebies.org Designfreebies Magazine STINGYNOMADS.COM • www.designfreebies.org • 19 Things to see The Hoba Meteorite - Giant termite nests is the largest on - Herero people in their traditional dresses - Ovahimba living museum, a real Himba people village earth weighing 60 -Giant baobab tree at Ovahimba museum tons. It impacted Places to stay the earth 80 000 years ago. No pre- - Opuwo Country lodge, NAD160/US$11,5 Epupa Falls Guest house served crater was - Omungunda campsite (Ovahimba village), NAD110/ left by impact. US$8

Day 14

Ovahimba Living museum – Epupa Falls, 140km, 2h. The road is quite bad sometimes but the scen- ery is beautiful valley surrounded by green hills with Himba villages here and there. Day 16

Things to see Ondangwa – Tsumeb – Grootfontein (Meteorite campsite), 322km, 3h.30min. -Epupa Falls - Boat safari to spot hippos and crocodiles Don’t miss beautiful sinkhole one of the few permanent lakes in Namibia, it’s estimated depth - Himba people 145m.

Places to stay Things to see - Otjikoto lake, 20km from Tsumeb and 100m from B1 Hoba Meteorite, the largest meteorite in the - Epupa Falls lodge/campsite, NAD120/US$9 pp for camping, we liked this place world - Omarunga lodge, NAD150/US$11 Places to stay - We camped at Meteorite campsite, NAD100/US$8 pp, very nice place Day 15 (Namibia road trip, Week 3) - Tigerquelle campsite, NAD95/US$8 pp Epupa Falls – Ruacana – Oshakati – Ondangwa, 419km (474km if you drive through Opuwo), 6-7h. Day 17 (Caprivi road trip) Don’t drive along the river the road is terrible there rather go to Ruacana Meteorite campsite – Grootfontein – Rundu – Divundu – Ngepi campsite, 471km, 4h30min. through Opuwo. Quite a long drive with not much to see on the way. The scenery changes once you start driving up North towards Caprivi, greenish fields, bushes and some trees. Things to see Things to see - Ruacana Falls (or what left from it) and Ruacana Dam Popa Falls, in fact just a small rapid on the river Okavango river with hippos, crocodiles and many - Places to stay birds Walk around Ngepi campsite and explore its amazing - Ondangwa rest camp, NAD110/US$8 Do a boat tour to spot many hippos and some crocodiles

20 • STINGYNOMADS.COM Designfreebies Magazine • www.designfreebies.org Epupa Falls Designfreebies Magazine STINGYNOMADS.COM • www.designfreebies.org • 21 Day 20 Places to stay Katima Mulilo – Bukalo – Ngoma border post – Kasane (Botswana) - Ngepi campsite, NAD150/US$11 pp. for camping. This is the best campsite we’ve stayed in Namibia, definitely worth of coming and staying for a couple of days. – The Big Five Chobe lodge, 137km, 2h-2h30min. - River Dance lodge, NAD150/US$11 pp camping Popa Falls lodge, NAD150/US$11 pp camping Ngoma border cross is very easy and quick just make sure you don’t have any fresh meat in your coolerbox as you enter Botswana they do check cars carefully. Actually you are not supposed to bring anything fresh; meat, eggs, fruit and vegetables but they check mostly for meat. To enter Botswana with your car you pay NAD190/US$14 road tax.

Things to see - Some wildlife on the way to Kasane, e.g. elephants, springboks, warthogs - Ex Baobab-prison tree in Kasane

Places to stay - The Big Five Chobe lodge, BWP130/NAD160/US$12,5 pp - Kubu lodge for BWP85/US$8 pp for camping, the campsite was closed when we were there Rowing among crocs and hippo’s on a traditional mokoro is a highight at Ngepi! Day 18

Ngepi – Mahango National park – Ngepi, 60km, 4-5 hours

Things to see in Mahango park - Giant baobab tree - Wild life; elephants, giraffes, springboks, kudus, buffaloes, wildebeests, warthogs, lions and many birds.

Day 19

Ngepi – Divundu – Kongola – Katima Mulilo – Giant baobab in Mahango National park. Caprivi Houseboat Safaris lodge, 329km, 4h.

Things to see - Elephants, springboks, ostriches can be spot- ted along the road while driving from Divundo Day 21 to Kongola - Hippos, crocodile during a boat trip on the The Big Five Chobe lodge – Chobe (Sedudu Gate) – The Big Five lodge, 30km plus drive in the Zambezi River park, 7 hours.

Places to stay Animals to see in Chobe Lions, leopards, springboks, elephants, hippos, giraffes, hippos, warthogs, buffaloes, banded - Caprivi Houseboat Safaris lodge, NAD120/ mongooses, roan antelopes, US$8,5 fish eagles, baboons and some other monkeys, zebras, wildebeests, crocodiles etc. - Kalizo lodge, NAD155/US$11 Road to Ngepi 22 • STINGYNOMADS.COMDesignfreebies Magazine • www.designfreebies.org Designfreebies Magazine STINGYNOMADS.COM • www.designfreebies.org • 23 Day 25 (Namibia road trip, Week 3)

Meteorite campsite – Otavi – Otjiwarongo — Waterberg, 382km, 3h.

Things to see

Waterberg plateau, can do 1-2 hour hikes

- Dik Dik (small deer) and warthogs running around the reception area of National park camp- site Day 26

Waterberg – Dinosaur’s Footprints (campsite), 185km, 3h.

Huge excitement when these lions surprised us! The road is quite bad especially if it rains a lot but Day 22 as a compensation you can see many animals running around. A day trip to Victoria Falls, 7-8 hours, will cost you about US$100 pp. We didn’t go it was too expen- sive and we’d been there before. Things to see

Day 23 Some wild animals on the way to the Footprints, like springboks, gemsboks, warthogs, ostriches. Kasane – Katima Mulilo – Kongola – Divundu – Ngepi camp, 466km, 6h30min. Dinosaurs’ (Ceratosauria and Syntarsus) Tracks Instead of driving back the same way you can drive to Windhoek through Botswana, there are some interesting National parks and . It was our original plan but due to very heavy rains Places to stay parks were closed and roads flooded so we had to go back through Caprivi. Dinosaur’s Tracks campsite, NAD100/US$8, plus NAD20/US$1,5 entrance fee. Places to stay Day 27

We were quite happy to stay one more night at Ngepi campsite Dinosaurus Footprints (campsite) – Omaruru – Spitzkoppe, 246km, 3h30min.

Day 24 Things to see

Ngepi camp – Divundu – Rundu – Grootfontein – Omaruru, the art capital of Namibia. Visit Meteorite campsite, 471km, 4h30min. some galleries, drink coffee in Main Street cafe, see Franke Tower and Rhenish Mission Things to see church.

If you didn’t have time to see Hoba Meteorite on the Spitzkoppe, a group of bald granite peaks way to you have one more chance. Big Sociable weaver birds’ nests

Places to stay Beautiful sunset at Hoba meteorite campsite. Places to stay We stayed again at Meteorite campsite. Spitzkoppe camp, NAD150/US$12

24 • STINGYNOMADS.COM Designfreebies Magazine • www.designfreebies.org Designfreebies Magazine STINGYNOMADS.COM • www.designfreebies.org • 25 Day 28 How to shrink this Namibia trip itinerary? Spitzkoppe – Usakos – Karibib – Okahandja – Windhoek, 271km, 3h. If you don’t mind driving longer distances you can: - Day 3, stay in Luderitz for one night only and next morning go and visit Kolmanskop, the Things to see in Windhoek ghost town and from there drive to Sesriem. - Day 5, after visiting Sossusvlei drive all the way to Swakopmund, 350km. You probably won’t - Botanic garden (Mon-Fr, 8.00am-5.00pm, lunch time have time for taking photos and stopping a lot but it saves you one day. Probably you’ll be in 1.00-2.00pm), admission free; time for sunset from Dune 7 so no need to drive here the next day. - Christ’s Church (on the way to the garden); Namibia Landscape on the way to Noordhoewer. -On day 7, instead of staying in Swakopmund for the whole day you can visit flamingo colony Craft center; in the morning, drive around the town a bit and keep driving to Cape Cross Seal Reserve. - Have lunch at Single Quarters in Katutura and see how locals cook meat on an open flame; - Day 12, don’t stay in Palmwag go through the pass take some photos and keep driving to - The Boiler room, night life of Windhoek, they have different programme every day, most shows Opuwo, 575km. start between 8-9.00pm. - Day 14, you can try to drive from Epupa Falls straight to Grootfontein without stay overnight at Ondangwa, it’ll be a long day of driving (741km) but there is nothing really to see on the Places to stay way you . - On day 26, instead of staying at Waterberg you can just take some photos of the plateau from Day 29 far and drive to Dinosaurs Tracks campsite, except for time you’ll save some money. This way you can “save” 6 days and make your trip shorter, 24 days. Windhoek – Rehoboth – Kalkrand – Mariental – Useful info for a self-drive trip through Keetmanshoop, 494km, 5h. Namibia - Left side driving (like in Australia, England, South This part is for those who drive back to South Africa, Africa). as an option you can visit these places on the way up - Local currency Namibian dollar (NAD) linked as well after Fish River canyon. to South African Rand (ZAR) both (NAD1=ZAR1) are equally used in Namibia. Exchange rate Things to see USD1=NAD13 in March 2017. - Giant’s Playgrounds - English language is spoken everywhere, in certain - Quiver Tree Forest, NAD60/US$4 pp, plus 40/US$3 per car areas and German. - Masosaurus Fossils, NAD150/US$11 - Power plugs are 220V type M the same as in South - Cheetahs, meerkats, many birds Africa. Drinking water. In some areas you can drink Places to stay tap water but it doesn’t taste nice, too much chlo- - Quivertree Forest camp, NAD130/US$9,5, beautiful place with many Quiver trees and perfect rine, in some areas tap water isn’t potable. You can sunset view refill water at some supermarkets (SPAR). - Tropical diseases. Malaria (depends on season) in Day 30 the North East (Caprivi) region. - Visa. Citizens of most countries get 90 days visa Keetmanshoop – Noordoewer, 300km, 3h30min. free on arrival.

We loved the scenery here, fantastic colors, a lot of empty space and nobody around.

Things to see Many birds in the Keetmanhoops area - Two stops for photos with old cars; Chamieites (85km) and Canyon Roadhouse Places to stay - Fish River Canyon Orange river - Amanzi River camp, NAD140/US$10 - Felix Unite camp, only for groups more than 8 people

26 • STINGYNOMADS.COMDesignfreebies Magazine • www.designfreebies.org Designfreebies Magazine STINGYNOMADS.COM • www.designfreebies.org • 27 Ngepi camp, After exploring Namibia for several weeks and camping at some Divundu, Caprivi, awesome places we decided to make a list of Best campsites in the 1. NAD150/US$11 pp. country. Camping in Namibia is quite a popular type of accommoda- Our favorite campsite ever! I can try to explain how awesome it is and put tion and the only one budget option for travellers, the rest; lodges, hundreds of photos but to really understand why we bungalows etc. are crazy expensive. So if you’re going to Namibia and liked it so much you have to come here! A big really big and spacious campsite in the jungle on Kavango don’t want to spend a fortune be ready to camp a lot! We hope our Top river bank with a lot to explore. It’s a unique place a perfect example of harmonic coexistence people in 10 awesome and budget campsites in Namibia will help you to make the nature. Just a few examples of amazing things; jungle showers, throne toilets, cage swimming pool Alya looking for hippo’s while having a hot a right choice! etc. Not to mention many hippos walking and swim- bath! ming around, tons of birds and amazing sunrises! But not only the place itself but the people make it so Top 10 Awesome amazing! The staff is great, friendly and fun! Ah, check the funny signs all around the place they will make budget campsites you laugh! The restaurant is very good as well they have big breakfasts, juicy burgers and delicious dinners. And CAMPSITES - ARRANGED their filtered coffee is good and cheap! SOUTH TO NORTH Things to do and to see What makes these campsites awesome? - Boat/mocoro trip on Kavango river to spot hippos and crocodiles. In dry season you can watch hippos Swim safe in the Kavango river in this cage First of all their unique set up and “personality”. Of course beautiful in-nature location be it desert, right from the campsite. swimming pool - Maybe a croc or hippo forest, river or canyon. Good facilities are quite important as well all our the campsites are more - Guided walks. swims past! than just basic. What else, of course people, nothing makes you feel comfortable in a place like - Birdwatching right outside your tent. Star gazing. friendly and welcome people. - Watching sunset.

Budget, how much is it? Facilities - We’ve chosen the campsites staying in which - Hot water shower – Yes Flushing toilets – Yes doesn’t exceed max NAD150/US$11 per per- Electricity – Yes Running water – Yes son. You can say it’s not that budget but - Outlets – Yes, each site has an outlet Wi-fi – Yes, at Namibia is not a cheap country for traveling so the reception US$11 per night is not bad here! - Braai place – Yes - Other – Swimming pool, filtered drinking Between how many campsites we chose? - We spent 6 weeks in Namibia, crossed the A trip in a local mocoro is a must! county from South to North and from West to East and stayed at 30 different campsites. As you can see we had enough options so we didn’t include every single place we camped at only the best of the best. 1 – Ngepi camp; 2 – Caprivi Houseboat Safaris lodge; 3 – Epupa Falls lodge; 4 – Mopane Village lodge; 5 – Dinosaurs Tracks; 6 – Brandberg White Lady lodge; 7 – Cape Cross lodge; 8 – Elegant Desert lodge; 9 – Quivertree Forest rest camp; 10 – Amanzi camp.

28 • STINGYNOMADS.COM Designfreebies Magazine • www.designfreebies.org Designfreebies Magazine STINGYNOMADS.COM • www.designfreebies.org • 29 2. Caprivi Houseboat Safaris lodge, Katima Mulilo, Caprivi, NAD120/ Mopane Village lodge, Etosha (Anderson Gate), NAD150/US$11 pp. US$9 pp. Amazing place and a budget option to stay near Etosha. Each site has everything you 4. 2. Absolutely chilled and need for camping and even more; shower, toilet, roof, braai place, electricity, outlet, sink relaxed place with cozy all your own not shared with anybody else. The sites are quite apart which gives you deck bar overlooking Zambezi river, beau- more privacy. The owners are great people and make you feel like at home here. The reception area tiful garden, good restaurant and many is very nice and comfortable for chilling under the roof after a long day of driving. A small swim- lovely dogs. The place feels like home away ming pool is nice to refresh in a hot day. from home! Honestly we could stay here much longer. Facilities are very good you Things to do and to see have all you need and even more. Located - The main thing in the area is famous Etosha park, the lodge is 15km from the entrance so you can just outside Katima Mulilo which is nice in do day visits to the park and drive back. It’s cheaper to stay outside case you need to do some shopping or fill - Etosha in the park itself campsites are quite your tank but far enough from busy town pricy. Swim in the pool. life. The deck bar over the river is a perfect - Chill at the bar. place for chilling with a book of watching birds. For birds you don’t even need to go anywhere just sit in the garden and look around. We met Facilities some people who came here specially for bird watching. - Hot water shower – Yes Flushing toilets – Yes Electricity – Yes Outlets – Yes Things to do and to see - Running water – Yes - Wi-fi – Yes, at the restaurant Braai place – Yes - Safari boat trip on one of the boats/houses, you can do a tour or rent it for a couple of days and - Other – Swimming pool, restaurant, tour desk, just go around the area, stop every night in different places and watch animals and birds. accept cards. - A day trip on Zambezi river to see crocodiles and hippos. - Bird watching from the deck/bar. Dinosaurs Tracks, Kalkfeld, NAD100/ - Chilling, reading, swimming (if you aren’t scared of crocodiles in the river). US$7,5 pp, plus NAD20/US$1,5 entrance Camping spots at Mopane lodge, Etosha. fee Epupa Falls lodge and campsite, Epupa Falls, Kaokoland, NAD120/US$9 pp. Isolated campsite in the middle of nowhere if you say it about a place located at National mon- ument. Beautiful surroundings; rocky hills, quite 5. 3. Fantastic place right at the edge of the waterfall on the river bank. The location is dense vegetation for this area, tons of birds and amazing the constant noise of falling water, giant frogs’ core at night. Not to forget the beautiful baobabs and huge palm trees around, green area very different Enjoying the fire and beautiful night sunsets and amazing night sky. All these make from what you expect from Namibia. One of the less explored sky at Dinosaur’s Tracks campsite. Dinosaur’s Tracks campsite something really corners of Namibia a real paradise for adventurous people. This campsite was very remote. special. Things to do and to see Things to do and to see - 1 hour hike along the river to Epupa Falls. Visit Himba village. - Two different dinosaur’s tracks 30m - Do a boat trip to see crocodiles. Chill on the deck. from the campsite; Ceratosauria, big Facilities footprints and Syntarsus, small foot prints - Hot water shower – Yes Camping on - Bird watching - Flushing toilets – Yes the edge of - Star gazing - Electricity – Yes the waterfall! - Outlets – Yes Facilities - Running water – Yes - Hot water shower – Yes Flushing toilets - Wi-Fi – Yes, at the bar – Yes Electricity – No Outlets – No - Braai place – Yes - Running water – Yes Wi-fi – No - Other – restaurant/bar, tour desk. - Braai place – Yes

- Other – tables, benches, washing sinks, potable water. 30 • STINGYNOMADS.COM Designfreebies Magazine • www.designfreebies.org Designfreebies Magazine STINGYNOMADS.COM • www.designfreebies.org • 31 Brandberg White Lady lodge, NAD110/US$8, plus NAD30/$2 for car 8. Elegant Desert lodge, Sesriem, NAD107/US$8

The lodge is a little oasis in A nice place just 40km from famous Sossusvlei good stop over on the way from the dunes 6. the desert with its swim- to Swakopmund. The lodge is in the middle of nowhere so it’s nice to chill out a bit after a 8. ming pool, garden and long day of walking and driving in Sesriem. The surrounding area is beautiful desert with stunning view over the area some mountains on the background and stunning night sky. The facilities are very good including Brandberg from the sunset view- and the staff is very friendly what else can you wish in the desert?! point and sunset itself is something not to miss! The campsite has no electricity which Things to do and to see is not bad at all you get a chance to see - Swim in the pool. millions of stars in the dark night sky with- - Chill in the restaurant. Stargazing. out any sign of light pollution! The camp- ing area is very big so you don’t really see Facilities or hear your neighbors. Big trees around make a very nice shadow for pitching a tent - Hot water shower – Yes or parking a car. - Flushing toilets – - Yes - Electricity – Yes Things to do and to see The White Lady - an oasis in the desert. - The White Lady Rock painting - Outlets – Yes, at the restaurant and reception Wi-Fi - Hike Brandberg mountain, the highest peak in Namibia (need a guide) – Yes, at the restaurant - Chill next to the pool, walk in the garden Watch sunset from the view-point - Running water – Yes Braai place – Yes - Star gazing - Other – Swimming pool, washing sinks, restaurant. Camping spot at the Elegant Desert lodge Facilities - Hot water shower – Yes Flushing toilets – Yes Electricity – No - Outlets – Not at camping spots, there is a charging station at the reception - Running water – Yes, at each site Wi-fi – No Quivertree Forest rest camp, Keetmanshoop, NAD130/US$9,5 pp., plus 9. - Braai place – Yes NAD60/$4,4 entrance fee, plus NAD40/$3 for car - Other – swimming pool, restaurant, sunset view point, cactus garden. Fantastic campsite right at Quiver tree forest with meerkats running around, cheetahs in enclo- Cape Cross lodge, Hentiesbaai, Skeleton coast, NAD100/US$7,5 pp. sure and a pet warthog. Sites are quite far apart from each other so you have enough privacy, each site has a tap, braai place, light and power outlet. The Sits right on the beach 5km away from the Seal colony. Very nice set up for both landscape is very beautiful with some rocky hills and 7. campers and lodge guests with a fancy restaurant/bar, summer terrace and a small quiver trees around. Perfect spot for watching sunset museum. It’s a good mix of camping in a wild and remote place and being comfort- and start gazing. Children will like it here playing with able. The lodge sits right on the beach with a lot of wild life like seals, jackals, dolphins and many dogs, cuddling warthog or watching cheetahs ah yes, birds. Cape Cross seal colony is just 10km away so you can drive there several times a day (ticket and birds of course, many different birds and parrots valid for the whole day). (at a feeding place near the office).

Things to do and to see Things to do and to see - Visit the seal colony Walk on the beach Chill at the bar -Quiver tree forest, right at the campsite. Check for - Watching birds, dolphins and seals from the restaurant some huge social weaver nests on the trees. At sunset the light is perfect for taking photos of the forest. Facilities - Giant’s playgrounds, just 5km away. Big rocks - Hot water shower – Yes - Cheetahs’ feeding, there are few cheetahs in enclo- - Flushing toilets – Yes sure at the campsite. - Electricity – Yes, at the sites - Dinosaurs Fossils, 50km away. To see it you do a tour which runs from - Outlets – Yes, at the sites Cheetah in rehab at at Quivertree Forest - Running water – Yes - Stargazing, the best night sky we had in Namibia. - Wi-Fi – Yes, at the restaurant Bird and meerkat watching, there are many. rest camp. - Braai place – Yes Facilities - Other – restaurant, museum, washing sinks, - Hot water shower – Yes accept cards. - Flushing toilets – Yes - Electricity – Yes - Outlets – Yes, at the sites 32 • STINGYNOMADS.COM Designfreebies Magazine • www.designfreebies.org Camping spots close to the sea at Cape Cross lodge Designfreebies Magazine STINGYNOMADS.COM • www.designfreebies.org • 33 Amanzi River camp, Noordoewer, NAD140/US$10,5 Namibia travel tips The ultimate list of Namibia travel tips. Do you need a 4×4? what to consider and how to rent one. 10. An amazing campsite on Orange river bank with stunning view over the river. Just Great campsites and camp tips. Car tips from refueling to flat tyres. Best simcard to use for phoning 5km from Noordoewer border this campsite is a perfect place for family holiday. and internet. Great maps and phone apps that will help you not to get lost and find a campsite! Use Grassy and spacious sites with river view . The owners are very friendly and helpful. If you travel our Packing list to check if you have everything! from South Africa to Namibia or vice verse Amanzi is a good place to stop on the way and maybe even stay for longer. This is one THE CAR of our favourites campsites in Namibia. Do I need a 4×4 to drive through Namibia? Things to do and to see You can get to most places with a normal - Rent a kayak for a day or do a sedan car, 4×4 is not required, but the gravel multi day tour on the river. roads to some sites are not great. This can - Swim in the river, nothing dan- result in damage to smaller vehicles and a gerous in the water, just a lot of really uncomfortable ride if you don’t drive fish and birds. slow. - Relaxing, reading. Bird watch- ing. Stargazing. Can I rent? Facilities 4×4 Rental is big business in Namibia and Typical gravel road in Namibia. - Hot water shower – Yes there are many companies to choose from. There are hun- - Flushing toilets – Yes dreds of tourists driving around in fully kitted 4×4’s with roof top tents. - Electricity – Yes, at the sites - Outlets – Yes, at the sites View from our tent camping next to the Orange River at - Wi-Fi – No You can rent a 4×4 with camp gear. Normally this means rooftop tent, table, camp chairs, cooler - Running water – Yes Amanzi River Camp. box, gas stove, sleeping bags and everything else you might need for camping. - Braai place – Yes - Other – roof covered area for cooking and washing with basins, electricity and outlets. Things that will influence the rental price: - single or double cab bakkie (truck) accessories - insurance package limited/unlimited mileage - place of pick up and drop off, RSA normally bit cheaper than Namibia - season: Low season Jan – June, High Nov-Dec, Peak July-Oct

We spoke to many travelers about their cars, NAM$ 700 -800 ($50-60) per day for a single cab with unlimited mileage, camp accessories, pick up and drop off at the same place and minimum insur- ance in low season is a good deal. In Namibia you will drive long distances, take unlimited mileage!

Petrol consumption will be more or less 8-10 km per litre in a equiped 4×4.

CLICK HERE for the best rental prices we could find.

Keeping our little 4x4 clean was almost impossible! 34 • Designfreebies Magazine • www.designfreebies.org Designfreebies Magazine •STINGYNOMADS.COM www.designfreebies.org • 35 Namibia car tips CAMPING IN NAMIBIA

Flat tyres This is definitely the way to go in Namibia, it is the only affordable accommodation. Namibia is all Flat tyres are very common and towns are far apart. If you have a puncture on one of the gravel about the nature and what a better way to experience it than camping. There are many fantastic roads in the middle of nowhere, it might take hours or even days until another vehicle passes by campsites all over Namibia. and help. Preparing to be able to handle 2 flat tyres in a day is a good idea. Many people I know had tyre problems, we however drove 12 000km without any problems. If you drive slow and look out - Government campsites (NWR) are expensive at about NAM$200 pp ($14) per for big rocks and pot holes you should be ok. night. Many of the private lodges also have camping with access to much better facilities than at the government sites for cheaper at $NAM 100-150 ($7-10).

Pack Compare the cost with lodges starting at $NAM 1000 ($75) for a double room. - Puncture repair kit, with these you can fix most punctures yourself quick quick We camped in some awesome campsites! - 2 spare tyres, small chance you will need both, but if you do get two flats alone in the middle of nowhere you have a problem. One spare and one A MAP and an APP. Phone Apps for Namibia road trip repair kit should be more than sufficient. - Take a small compressor, they are cheap, if you deflate the tyres for driving in sand you will need - It is nice to have a map with campsites on it to inflate them again. Also necessary when fixing a tyre with the repair kit. for planning. We used the ‘Where to Camp’ book and map wheretostay.na it is very useful. Petrol - Refill your car at every fuel station. If you can drive 400km with your car after refueling you should - Since there is no phone reception everywhere never run out of petrol. it is best to have a off-line map, mapps.me is a - Jerry can – we had a 10L can with extra fuel, we stuck to the above rule and never needed to use free navigation app that worked well for us. our extra fuel. - ioverlander is a very useful app that works off- Music line, it shows campsites with facilities prices and - Music for the car is very important! you are going to drive many hours. There is no radio stations in reviews, this was a super handy app to have in most of the country. I bought a cheap fm modulator ($10) and flash drive. Namibia. Click here for some helpful apps for This was great since a CD skips on bad roads. backpackers:

Bringing a car over the South Africa/Namibia border FOOD AND WATER IN NAMIBIA - the process is fairly quick and painless - Biltong and droe wors– in South Africa and - Cost R260 valid for 3 months includes third party insurance. - Driving around in the desert you are going to Namibia we live on these dry meat snacks, I get thirsty! promise you, you will get addicted and might Documents Required: have to immigrate! - Valid passport of the driver - Tap water in Namibia is potable in some places - Certified copy of vehicle registration papers in the name of the driver but even if so it doesn’t taste nice. - BRAAI foreigners call it a barbeque, there is - Letter of authority from the registered owner if the vehicle is not owned no set time for cooking to start, it depends on by the driver - Bring a couple of big water bottles 5l you can how much wood we have, afterwards ‘caveman - If vehicle is still being financed, carry a letter of authority from the bank (must include dates of refill them for quite cheap in some supermar- TV’ can continue untill the early hours of the travel) together with the vehicle license papers. kets. morning, staring at the fire and the stars talking - Valid driver’s license nonsense. It all depends on how much booze - Carnet de Passage: Only compulsory if the vehicle is being shipped to Namibia. - There are camp sites with good quality water, we have. - ZA Sticker: Available at any AA Accredited Sales Agent store refill all your bottles at these campsites! Buy real wood, not charcoal, you are in Africa now! - WIMPY – these all-day breakfast and burger restaurants are all over Namibia, we had many streaky breakfast specials, great bacon and eggs for NAM$29 ($2).

36 • Designfreebies Magazine • www.designfreebies.org Designfreebies Magazine STINGYNOMADS.COM • www.designfreebies.org • 37 PHONE AND INTERNET

Airtime and data is ridiculously cheap in Namibia com- pared to South Africa. It is handy to have internet access and to be able to phone campsites, lodges etc.

- In our experience the best deal was with MTC provider. A simcard cost NAD$7 ($0.5).

THE RULES OF THE ROAD

Speed limit is not a problem on gravel road, there is no traffic police and driving faster than the 100 kmh speed limit is a risk for flat tyres and accidents.

On the B main roads, these are tarred, there are many road blocks and some speed traps. Make sure you have license

PACKING LIST FOR NAMIBIA ROAD TRIP - Tent, waterproof if you are going North -fm modulator and flash drive – play music without discs - sleeping mats BACK PAGE AD - Car papers CONTACT US TO ADVERTISE HERE - sleeping bags [email protected] -Passports - headlamps, standing lamp - Camera - table, chairs -30m extension cord - gas stove

- electric kettle – saves a lot of gas and time to make coffee, pasta etc.

- pot, pan, cutlery, mocha pot for cof- fee braai grid (barbeque) 38 • STINGYNOMADS.COM Designfreebies Magazine • www.designfreebies.org