NAMIBIA

Namibia is hardly known to British travellers and yet has some of the most spectacular scenery and exciting wildlife in Africa. It is mainly a country of desert, with a population of little more than a million. Direct flights from London make visiting easy, and a good infrastructure makes travelling around straightforward.

Footloose has developed tours and itineraries which visit some of the better known places in Namibia, and uniquely offer walkers a chance to visit some of the spectacular trails available in Namibia. The National Parks are well organised and the bureaucracy is rather daunting and anathematic to wilderness treks. Restrictions and the need for permits abound. It is difficult to arrive in Namibia unprepared and have a successful walking holiday. But once actually on the trail, you leave this behind and can enjoy some of the best walking in Africa. There are no porters or suppliers. Backpacking is necessary and your own transport is needed touch the remote areas.

There are three particular areas that have the best walking, with established trails. Despite being mainly desert, the scenery of these areas is very different.

Fish River Canyon

In the extreme south of Namibia is a canyon second only to the Grand Canyon. It is carved through arid gravel plains and so its beauty and diversity comes as a great surprise and are perhaps increased by the contrast.
The trail follows the bed of the canyon for fifty miles over five days. Although the river barely flows during the walking period, there are numerous linked pools. The walking is over the boulder bed, along sandy beaches, bare rock and gravel stretches. The canyon is sinuous and so the views are constantly changing. The width of the canyon varies, but it is never narrow enough to feel claustrophobic. The walk ends at the small thermal resort of Ai Ais, where there is a hot swimming pool, bar and restaurant.
A shorter version of the walk is possible, with one overnight camp and using the escape route to return to the rim road ten miles from the start.
Transport has to be carefully arranged because the end is fifty miles from the start and there is extremely little traffic between the two points. An extra driver is ideal, or making a deal with other walkers with a car. There is a good campsite eight miles from the start.

Naukluft

This mountain area rises from the Namib Desert and looks unlikely to yield interesting walking. The surprise is that there is water flowing in the deep canyons and fed by springs. This gives luxuriant vegetation, and a wealth of wildlife and very varied walking. The established trail circles the mountains, using the valley systems and crossing the high plateau. The whole circuit is eight days, with a four-day version possible. There are fixed overnight stops where there are shelters and a water supply. This is considered to be one of the hardest treks in Africa and involves several descents of rocky gorges using chains. The area is a stronghold of mountain zebra, baboons and leopards, and there are a large number of birds, particularly in the klufts. There are also two one-day walks, which do not have to be booked, and there is a good park campsite where all the routes start.

Waterburg

The Waterburg plateau rises dramatically from the surrounding plains, circled by almost continuous sandstone cliffs. It has been developed as a sanctuary for several species of endangered wildlife, particularly black rhinos.
The two-day walk crosses the plateau through very varied sandstone scenery. The area is well vegetated with scrub-thorn and some areas of larger trees. There is an overnight stop with a water supply. There is an excellent campsite at the start with a few shorter day walks, including one up to a look out point on the edge of the plateau.

Apart from the walking areas, there are several other parts of Namibia, which should be included in a visit.

Namibia is famous for two natural wonders- Etosha and Sossusvlei;

Etosha National Park

One of the greatest African game reserves. The area is around a huge salt pan the size of Wales. Some rainy seasons this holds water, but usually it is dry. In the surrounding bush are numerous waterholes where large herds of African animals can be seen, excepting the hippo. The park is well organised, with three camping and accommodation centres. There are floodlit waterholes at each, where night game viewing can be enjoyed with some comfort. A network of tracks connects the waterholes and so in a few days most of them can be visited.

Sossusvlei

Along most of the coast, and inland for about one hundred miles, runs the Namib Desert. This varies from desolate gravel plains to rocky peaks, gorges and, at Sossusvlei particularly huge spectacular sand dunes. These rise to one thousand feet and are formed of contrasting apricot sand. It is usual to visit the area at dawn, when the low sun highlights the dramatic slopes. The ridges can be climbed, giving remarkable views of this surreal landscape.

Elsewhere…
Swakopmund

Swakopmund is a small and interesting resort town, with excellent amenities. Most itineraries in Namibia will take you through here, and it is well worth spending a day enjoying the German style architecture, the museum and the pastry shops and cafes.

Skeleton Coast

North from Swakopmund is the Skeleton Coast, once feared but now slightly tamed. It is the most bleak place imaginable, with the cold South Atlantic on one side and endless desert on the other. A few hours drive along the coast is Cape Cross, a breeding colony of tens of thousands of seals. They can be approached very closely and there is the remarkable sight of the huge waves thick with fishing seals.

Twfylfontein

Near Etosha is Twfylfontein, a remarkable valley containing the largest collection of prehistoric rock art in Africa. Nearby is Abu Huab camp, run by the local community, from where desert elephants can often be seen.

Getting Around

By far the best way to visit Namibia is to hire a 4WD vehicle. Many of the roads are good tar and the smaller gravel roads well maintained and graded. Most of the places in our itineraries can be reached by 2WD, usually a VW Golf, but with great distances, remoteness and unknown conditions we would strongly recommend a larger vehicle. The most economical type is a Toyota pickup. These come as single cab two person or a double cab for four or five. The pick up section has a lockable hard canopy. These vehicles, known as 'Bakkies', are rugged, flexible and easy to drive.

Accommodation

There are excellent campsites in all the National Parks, together with some on private farms. These all have good facilities and many have restaurants and small shops. We can supply a full camping kit of tents, furniture and kitchen equipment. Most parks have bungalows for rent overnight. These vary from new and fairly luxurious to basic but adequate. They all have fully equipped kitchens.
In many areas there are private ranches or farms that take in guests, either for full board or self-catering. Many of these farms have developed their land as private game reserves and so can offer game drives.

Footloose

Whether you want to put your own holiday together or don't really know where to start, our team is more than willing to share their knowledge with you. Our speciality is after all tailor-made holidays, so whether you want to travel on your own, with a friend or any number of people in a group, we can help.

You can ring us on 01943 604030, or pop in to our shop at 3 Springs Pavement in Ilkley. more contact details

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