Bad news from Namibia
Jul 12th, 2007, 07:10 AM
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Bad news from Namibia
Jul 12th, 2007, 10:34 AM
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What a tragedy! That poor couple. Now I'm starting to feel nervous about our upcoming self drive to Namibia and South Africa. I was already a bit nervous about South Africa, but it sounded like Namibia was safer. I know this is just one incident, but it won't make driving as pleasurable and we won't be as casual as we would have been stopping and taking pictures.
Jul 12th, 2007, 11:12 AM
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This kind of posting irks me to no end.
I have been to Namibia on self-drives 3 times in the past 5 years, covering nearly every region of the country over months of cumulative time in the country. This last time -- not two weeks ago -- I took my mother, well into her 60's, and not only was it without incident, but I was once again startled at the warmth and hospitality of Namibians from the residents of DRC and Mondesa in the townships of Swakopmund to the echt Deutsch farmers selling biltong outside Otjiwarongo to the bored parks staff checking permits at the Namutoni gate to Etosha. We camped, we stayed in 5-star luxury, we slummed in backpacker's, we ate at roadside stalls and fancy restaurants and never was there cause for concern.
Fear to drive in Boston, fear to walk the streets of Detroit, have anxiety about hijackings in Johannesburg, but to worry about murder in Namibia is like worrying about a safe dropping on your head while walking the streets of London or Beijing. Not going to happen. You're more likely to drown in an inch of water in your bathtub.
The story Jed cites is completely anomalous with respect to tourism in Namibia and is, in my opinion, irresponsible to post here, intended only to shock and generate anxiety.
The most dangerous thing in Namibia on a self drive is likely to be yourself -- an inexperienced driver on a gravel road. Slow down, enjoy the scenery and the people, and don't hesitate to pull off to the side of the road to photograph a baboon or two. You will *love* Namibia and Namibians.
And be sure to post a trip report when you get back!
Kurt
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afrikatourism.blogspot.com
I have been to Namibia on self-drives 3 times in the past 5 years, covering nearly every region of the country over months of cumulative time in the country. This last time -- not two weeks ago -- I took my mother, well into her 60's, and not only was it without incident, but I was once again startled at the warmth and hospitality of Namibians from the residents of DRC and Mondesa in the townships of Swakopmund to the echt Deutsch farmers selling biltong outside Otjiwarongo to the bored parks staff checking permits at the Namutoni gate to Etosha. We camped, we stayed in 5-star luxury, we slummed in backpacker's, we ate at roadside stalls and fancy restaurants and never was there cause for concern.
Fear to drive in Boston, fear to walk the streets of Detroit, have anxiety about hijackings in Johannesburg, but to worry about murder in Namibia is like worrying about a safe dropping on your head while walking the streets of London or Beijing. Not going to happen. You're more likely to drown in an inch of water in your bathtub.
The story Jed cites is completely anomalous with respect to tourism in Namibia and is, in my opinion, irresponsible to post here, intended only to shock and generate anxiety.
The most dangerous thing in Namibia on a self drive is likely to be yourself -- an inexperienced driver on a gravel road. Slow down, enjoy the scenery and the people, and don't hesitate to pull off to the side of the road to photograph a baboon or two. You will *love* Namibia and Namibians.
And be sure to post a trip report when you get back!
Kurt
--
afrikatourism.blogspot.com
Jul 12th, 2007, 11:58 AM
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so kurt, anything that bad happens should not be posted? it's a news story that did happen and should be shared. that's what news is.
"<i>but to worry about murder in Namibia is like worrying about a safe dropping on your head while walking the streets of London or Beijing. Not going to happen.</i>" But it did happen.
"<i>but to worry about murder in Namibia is like worrying about a safe dropping on your head while walking the streets of London or Beijing. Not going to happen.</i>" But it did happen.
Jul 12th, 2007, 12:23 PM
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I agree with Dennis. There's nothing wrong with the sharing of this news. I'm glad Jed posted it because I want to be aware of the good and the bad.
granny,
I'm leaving in early Sep and wouldn't let an isolated incident make me anxious. BTW how are your reservations coming along?
granny,
I'm leaving in early Sep and wouldn't let an isolated incident make me anxious. BTW how are your reservations coming along?
Jul 12th, 2007, 01:06 PM
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kurt_a
You must not be reading what is happening in Namibia. theft and robbery is increasing in that country, Just last year, Jan Joubert was speared through the heart while eating a piece of biltong. Thrown in the back of his bakkie and dumped near a vet gate. You can google his name and see all that was written up about him. This man was one of the most knowledgeable persons in the 4x4 community and knew Namibia like the back of his hand. Yet was caught totally unaware and murdered. http://tinyurl.com/32qtwu
You must not be reading what is happening in Namibia. theft and robbery is increasing in that country, Just last year, Jan Joubert was speared through the heart while eating a piece of biltong. Thrown in the back of his bakkie and dumped near a vet gate. You can google his name and see all that was written up about him. This man was one of the most knowledgeable persons in the 4x4 community and knew Namibia like the back of his hand. Yet was caught totally unaware and murdered. http://tinyurl.com/32qtwu
Jul 12th, 2007, 01:22 PM
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I am a huge fan of Namibia (I've spent 10 months there over the last 4 years) but also a huge fan of posting incidents so people are aware of problem areas. There were a similar incidents within the last few years near Swakopmund and Windhoek. These are anomalies (like the German couple that got lost a few years ago) and because Namibia is a small country and is increasingly focusing on tourism I believe there will be a quick resolution to this incident (as there were to the others). No place is completely safe, as Kurt points out, but on the whole Namibia is one of the safer countries you can visit and the main danger remains road accidents. I will continue to go there and will not hesitate to self drive but will be a little more wary anound the cities. Granny, I think you will be as safe on your trip to SA and Namibia as you would in the USA, with the sole exception of Jo'Burg (if you will be driving there) where I think the chance of experiencing a criminal incident is much higher than in the USA. Even in Jo'Burg, with proper precautions, the danger is not prohibitive to me although if it keeps going the way it has, my opinion may change.
Jul 12th, 2007, 01:30 PM
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A German friend told me about this horrible incident, and I was glad to read the complete details posted here.
I, too, am a veteran of many self-drives in all parts of Namibia including the Caprivi strip during the past fifteen years, and I definitely do not feel as safe as I did when I first fell in love with the country. If I'm not mistaken, another tourist was shot to death a few years ago at a petrol station in Khorixas.
I, too, am a veteran of many self-drives in all parts of Namibia including the Caprivi strip during the past fifteen years, and I definitely do not feel as safe as I did when I first fell in love with the country. If I'm not mistaken, another tourist was shot to death a few years ago at a petrol station in Khorixas.
Jul 12th, 2007, 03:16 PM
#11
I wouldn't hesitate to do a self-drive in Namibia even after reading about this incident. I am, however, glad that it was posted here because anything you learn that can make you more aware is a good thing.
Jul 12th, 2007, 03:34 PM
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Yes, a very unfortunate incident to have taken place but something that can happen almost anywhere these days.
On our second trip to Namibia in June "06 we decided to spend the majority of time doing a self drive and overall felt very safe and comfortable, stopping numerous times to take photos etc. throughout the country and many times on very isolated roads.
We did exercise caution in general especially in and around populated areas and tried to be aware of what was happening in our immediate surroundings throughout our trip, which is just a prudent thing to do regardless of location.
Namibia is a wonderful country with lovely people and great diversity and a place I would not hesitate to return to and continue to explore.
granny, go and enjoy.
On our second trip to Namibia in June "06 we decided to spend the majority of time doing a self drive and overall felt very safe and comfortable, stopping numerous times to take photos etc. throughout the country and many times on very isolated roads.
We did exercise caution in general especially in and around populated areas and tried to be aware of what was happening in our immediate surroundings throughout our trip, which is just a prudent thing to do regardless of location.
Namibia is a wonderful country with lovely people and great diversity and a place I would not hesitate to return to and continue to explore.
granny, go and enjoy.
Jul 12th, 2007, 04:00 PM
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I still love Namibia and am looking forward to my next self-drive beginning 2 September. I will, however, be a little more cautious than I was a few years ago.
In general, I am no longer ignored as a tourist. At the two security stops between the Hosea Kutako airport and Windhoek and the one north of Windhoek, I am no longer waved through but stopped and required to show a driver’s license when it is obvious that I am a visitor (bear in mind that we are usually two women travelers). At petrol stations I am swarmed by persistent craft sellers. In Outjo, once a place I where I was always ignored and felt so safe, I am stopped every year by the same policeman—he has a lot of gold in his front teeth. And at the OK store there, which is a great place to stock up before going into Etosha, I am besieged by young men who either want to sell me something or watch my car.
Perhaps all of this sounds innocuous, but it did not occur a few years ago, and it is a message to me that there is a growing awareness of by some Namibians that tourists are a source of income and not to be left alone.
If you are a new traveler to Namibia, you will, no doubt, with reasonable precautions, feel comfortable and safe, but for those of us who have been going there for years, it has changed considerably.
In general, I am no longer ignored as a tourist. At the two security stops between the Hosea Kutako airport and Windhoek and the one north of Windhoek, I am no longer waved through but stopped and required to show a driver’s license when it is obvious that I am a visitor (bear in mind that we are usually two women travelers). At petrol stations I am swarmed by persistent craft sellers. In Outjo, once a place I where I was always ignored and felt so safe, I am stopped every year by the same policeman—he has a lot of gold in his front teeth. And at the OK store there, which is a great place to stock up before going into Etosha, I am besieged by young men who either want to sell me something or watch my car.
Perhaps all of this sounds innocuous, but it did not occur a few years ago, and it is a message to me that there is a growing awareness of by some Namibians that tourists are a source of income and not to be left alone.
If you are a new traveler to Namibia, you will, no doubt, with reasonable precautions, feel comfortable and safe, but for those of us who have been going there for years, it has changed considerably.
Jul 12th, 2007, 05:37 PM
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"<i>Crime is a problem all over the world so posting such "freak incidents" is without any meaning unless you like to read the misfortune of others.</i>"
What a bizarre statement.
What a bizarre statement.
Jul 12th, 2007, 05:39 PM
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Hari
Its not important to me either way where you care to selfdrive. I just think it is irresponsible to say that 'it is safe' without any qualifications and ignore what has happened in the past. Especially when I have met many people during previous self drives that had problems, and there seems to be a lot of theft and even murder in the past couple years directed at tourists (in the media). Of course it can be safe. The vast majority of incidents could be avoided if certain precautions were taken. If we were to go back and look, doing things like travelling in a large group(like most South Africans), caravaning with a couple other vehicles, or not picking up strangers, not getting out of the vehicle in low visiblity locations or even places away from the main roads. I even stopped at a place in Caprivi the morning after a few of the campers were robbed in their tents in the nite. It was believed that they were gassed because of the manner of robbery. This place had a bad reputation to start with and I decided to not overnite there. Its a country with something like 2 million people and for this amount of crime directed at tourists is somewhat alarming. Not to say it is a country to be avoided, but that you should be aware of the possible dangers. I'm not going to stop my self drives in Namibia, but if there is a potential for problems, I will not ignore it either.
Its not important to me either way where you care to selfdrive. I just think it is irresponsible to say that 'it is safe' without any qualifications and ignore what has happened in the past. Especially when I have met many people during previous self drives that had problems, and there seems to be a lot of theft and even murder in the past couple years directed at tourists (in the media). Of course it can be safe. The vast majority of incidents could be avoided if certain precautions were taken. If we were to go back and look, doing things like travelling in a large group(like most South Africans), caravaning with a couple other vehicles, or not picking up strangers, not getting out of the vehicle in low visiblity locations or even places away from the main roads. I even stopped at a place in Caprivi the morning after a few of the campers were robbed in their tents in the nite. It was believed that they were gassed because of the manner of robbery. This place had a bad reputation to start with and I decided to not overnite there. Its a country with something like 2 million people and for this amount of crime directed at tourists is somewhat alarming. Not to say it is a country to be avoided, but that you should be aware of the possible dangers. I'm not going to stop my self drives in Namibia, but if there is a potential for problems, I will not ignore it either.
Jul 12th, 2007, 07:05 PM
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Thanks Jed for posting that article. It will make us more cautious.
Thanks to all who encouraged us to go and enjoy Namibia. We're still working on our trip. I have to admit this has taken a little of the sparkle out of planning.
Patty, believe it or not, we still only have 5 nights reserved in Etosha. Our agent said many of the nicer places are already reserved for Sept and Oct. We're waiting anxiously for her suggestions. I'll post our itinerary when we get them.
Thanks to all who encouraged us to go and enjoy Namibia. We're still working on our trip. I have to admit this has taken a little of the sparkle out of planning.
Patty, believe it or not, we still only have 5 nights reserved in Etosha. Our agent said many of the nicer places are already reserved for Sept and Oct. We're waiting anxiously for her suggestions. I'll post our itinerary when we get them.
Jul 12th, 2007, 08:54 PM
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I wonder if this would have been reported if the people murdered were Namibians, I doubt it would have made any International press. The hysteria which greets this sort of incident is ridiculous, everywhere has some form of danger most particularly large cities in so called civilised countries.
This incident is unfortunate, but so are the circumstances which lead to people feeling the need to perpetrate these acts of violence. The leaders of the world hardly set a good example when it comes to needless killing.
I agree entirely with kurt a.
This incident is unfortunate, but so are the circumstances which lead to people feeling the need to perpetrate these acts of violence. The leaders of the world hardly set a good example when it comes to needless killing.
I agree entirely with kurt a.
