uscmolly

We will hopefully be visiting Namibia later this year, and would like to know where to visit if we only have 7 days and will be driving (no charter flights). Sossusvlei is a definite, but where else should we include? The trip is part of a larger trip to South Africa.

thit_cho

Etosha -- its very easy to reach by car from Windhoek (only 5 hours or so on excellent road) and is one of the very best game viewing parks in Africa (I'd rank it as Number 2, behind Serengeti/Masai Mara). It may, though, be my favorite park to visit due to the ease of self-driving, combined with an enormous number of animals.

uscmolly

Thanks thit_cho. Do you think Etosha is different enough from what we'll see in SA? I was originally thinking of doing Sossusvlei and Damaraland, skipping Etosha since I was thinking it would be most similar to the rest of our safari.

kch246

While we are on the subject of Namibia and Etosha, I have a question. After visiting Etosha, is there anyway to get from Etosha to Botswana without flying back through Windhoek?

Wingi

uscmolly,
Etosha is unique because of the huge Pan. Game viewing tends to be round the waterholes.
I would also put the seals at Cape Cross on the not to be missed list.

thit_cho

Etosha is much different (and in my opinion, much better) than the South African parks -- game is much more prolific and easier to see; the waterholes are among the best places to pass an African night, with lots of rhinos; and its much easier to self-drive. From the very limited reading I have done, Damaraland is trickier to visit in a self-drive sedan, and game is very, very difficult to see absent an established guiding service (I would be surprised if you could show up and find desert elephants or rhinos by yourself -- you would need substantial off-road experience and I'm not sure if you have access to the entire area).

Kugellager

Sossusvlei is amazing - My wife and I spent a week of our honeymoon in this area...Since you are driving I would suggest you drive south of the Sossusvlei area if you have the time - also beautiful.

My wife and I drove from Windhoek over Spreetshoogte Pass to Sossusvlei and to Sossusvlei Mtn Lodge where we stayed. We returned by a more southerly route through Rehoboth. Sesriem Canyon is only a few minutes from Sossusvlei park entrance and also worth spending a few hours hiking in. Sossusvlei is about a 6 hour drive from Windhoek at 80-90kph and with general tourist stops and photography ops.

Spreetshoogte Pass: http://www.gilbertguerin.com/htm/gal...eetshoogte.htm

In Namibia there is also the Fish River Canyon which we did not get to but is supposed to be amazing! There is the Canyon (obviously ) and the Quiver (Kokerbum) tree forest in this area. Quiver trees can be seen in other areas but there is a large concentration here.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fish_River_Canyon

http://www.gilbertguerin.com/htm/gal...uiver-tree.htm

There also is Walvis Bay, Swakopmund and the Skeleton Coast areas that are spectacular.

Nice Namibia Iinformation: http://www.gilbertguerin.com/htm/gallery-namibia.htm

Very basic Maps: http://www.orusovo.com/nammap/

We found several Gazetteer-type road map books that made our driving a breeze.

];')

atravelynn

Uscmolly,

I've been hoping you'd post again. How are you? Your plans to return to Namibia are a very good sign.

uscmolly

atravelynn--Thanks for your post and concern. It has been a tough year, but we're hanging in there! Since the accident happened on the 2nd day of our trip, we were anxious to try to get back asap and finish atleast part of the trip... and to "get back on the horse", so to speak. I'm still pretty nervous, but I don't want fear to take hold of my life. Unfortunately, I don't think I'll ever get to go gorilla trekking, which was part of original trip, but I'll try to do and visit as much as I can in a wheelchair. Once our trip plans are more concrete, I'll post more about our itinerary

atravelynn

Your desire to resume your trip is inspirational. I am sorry to read that you may need a wheelchair.

With all of the challenges you face, you may decide gorillas are way down on your list. But there have been people who have been carried to the gorillas. The last Rwanda guide I had also was skilled as a carpenter and was working on a special chair for that purpose.

I can give you his email if you email me. The company he is with is Primate Safaris, based in Rwanda. http://www.primatesafaris-rwanda.com/

I also know of a company that can design a safari for people with special needs. One guy did a wheelchair safari along side his friends who did a walking safari.

Please do keep us informed of your progress and travels.

thit_cho

uscmolly, I didn't realize that you traveled in a wheelchair. I'm far from expert in this area, but I do recall seeing someone in a wheelchair in Etosha -- it seemed relatively easy to travel in that park, with its excellent roads. They may also have some rondavels that you have been upgraded during their last round of refurbishment

Anyway, I came across this book while snooping around the Barnes & Noble website

Access Africa: Safaris for People with Limited Mobility

http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Acc...1622866/?itm=1

uscmolly

Thanks all!

thit_cho: That book looks great, but it won't be out until September, bummer! I did check out the author's website though. Being in the car shouldn't be much of a problem, that's why being on safari is a pretty good option for us. There's no curbcuts to worry about, no crowds to navigate through, etc.

atravelynn: I can only hope that one day I can go see the gorillas...either by medical miracle or by being carried. I may contact Primate Safaris and see if they've made any progress.

atravelynn

Theogene was the guide with the plan for chair.

aby

<b> uscmolly </b>

a doable itinerary for 7 days:
1. Windhoek --> Sossusvlei
2. Sossusvlei
3. Sossusvlei--> Swakopmund (incl. (Welwitschia & WB lagoon)
4. Swakopmund --> Cape Cross --> Twyfelfontein
5. Twyfelfontein --> Etosha
6. Etosha (full day)
7. Etosha --> Windhoek

<b> kch246 </b>
Etosha to notswana by road:

I. from Etosha (e.g. Namutoni) -->Tsimeb --> Rundu and
through Caprivi strip (to Okavango / Chobe / Vic Falls)
II.from Etosha (e.g. Namutoni) -->Tsimeb --> TSUMKWE
(there's some San -"bushman" around) --> Maun - Okavango

aby

aby

sorry for the typo <b> Ts<blue>u</blue>meb

bellhouse

WE did what aba suggested, but took longer to do it. A sunrise hot air balloon trip in Sossusvlei - the light and shadows on the dunes - unforgettable! We're into architecture/history, so Swakopmund was a highlight (plus we did a 4-wheeler dunes trip and were lucky enough to be there during, and invited by the owner of the Stiltz (our hotel), to a German version of Mardi Gras with a parade and a huge German dinner with oceans of beer!) With less time I think I would concentrate on animals. If they are accessible for you, DO take time to see the rock art at Twyfelfontein. Plan to stay up almost all night in Etosha watching all the animals at the waterholes - and then see more from your car the next day. It's a wonderful place - enjoy! Oh, yes - we did a self drive trip and had no problems - except that DH hadn't driven a stick shift in years and this was a stick shift on the opposite side of the car. I'm not sure he EVER made it into 1st gear on his first try - it was usually grind, third, grind, first, and then smooth going.

wanderluster44

Yes, plan 2-3 nights in Sossusvlei--stay at the Soss Dune Lodge for the only opportunity to photograph the surreal landscapes of Deadvlei and Sossusvlei at sunrise and sunset (unless you camp at Sesriem). But don't forget the cats! Namibia is known for it's cheetahs and leopards. You can get close to both at Dusternbrook Lodge, an hour north of Windhoek, or Amani Lodge just 30 minutes south of Windhoek. For more details, you can check out my itinerary for an upcoming tour I'm leading there next month: www.UniquePhotoTours.com

canadian_robin

Hi uscmolly! I am delighted to read that your are going to resume your tavels. We should all be so strong!!

If you can fit it into your itinerary, spend a night at Eagle's Nest Lodge, Klein Aus Vista, Aus, Namibia - one of our favourite places in Southern Africa.

Either Kulala Wilderness Camp (1st choice) or Kulala Desert Lodge (2nd choice) at Sossusvlei are excellent.

Yes, do go to Etosha - we have been twice and loved it.

If you are interested, here is the link to our trip report and photos from our 2008 visit to Sossusvlei and Aus (go to the bottom of page 41). Robin

http://bert-and-bin.smugmug.com/gall...61053054_KcDbR

mistypopper

WOW - that is lots of driving for 7 days... average distance between each of these places is 5/6 hours.

You may want to drive up to Etosha and then on through Damaraland to Swakopmund. From here fly into Sossus (spectacular flight down the coast and over the Namib desert) for 2 nights and then fly back up to Windhoek.

That way you will drive the most scenic parts and maximise your time. Driving all of it will be totally exhausting to be honest. The road form Swakop to Sossus to Windhoek is also really long... to say the least.

Etosha - consider Onguma Treetops or Andersons Camp
Damarland - Mowani is lovely and D Camp (Wildernes Safaris)has an incredible location.
Swakopmund - Range of mottly accomodations
Sossusvlei - Kulala Desert is great as is Desert Homestead.

Namibia is incredible... try and add in an extra night for Etosha (TOTAL 8 night trip)

Have fun!

uscmolly

Thanks all for the replies and suggestions. We have decided to go for a little bit longer (10 days) and likely next year instead. I think at this point we'll do Etosha, Damaraland, Swakopmund, and Sossusvlei. This was similar to what we had planned on doing last year, but never got the chance because we crashed on the 2nd day of our trip. I should also add that we won't be self-driving, we'll hire a driver/guide.

mistypopper--Yes, the driving does seem to be a lot, but we were in a plane crash in Namibia (from Windhoek to Etosha) last May in which I became paraplegic. Needless to say, we won't be flying in small planes anymore. We will add in a few more days to try to make all the driving worthwhile though!