Nothing quite says "bucket list" like a cruise to Africa.
22.07.2024 - 19:02 / breakingtravelnews.com
Any anxiety you might feel when you read the words self-driving holidays in Namibia evaporates almost the instant you arrive at the Explore Namibia offices in Windhoek. There are a lot of 4x4 vehicles being prepped, cleaned, safety checked and equipped for independent adventurers eager to discover this wonderful country for themselves.
There were four of us on our trip, two photographers, a filmmaker and a psychotherapist, the latter a handy addition in case the anxiety of independent driving didn’t dissipate. Explore Namibia selected a brand-new Toyota Hilux 4x4 for us with only 170 kilometres on the clock.
All of this added to the reassurance this highly organised tour company specialises in. They facilitate the self-drive experience for first-time drivers, as well as returners eager to embrace this awe-inspiring country. After the check-in process was completed, driving licences shared and keys handed over, we were given a thorough lesson on how the rooftop tents work. They are surprisingly simple, straightforward and super quick to assemble. This is very useful if you are arriving at a campsite close to sunset and want to set up quickly before dark.
At this point, you might think Explore Namibia had met your expectations, but the team, led by Johannes and Helena, then hands you the most comprehensive guide, with route maps and very clear, detailed instructions, following a pre-arranged route, so clear in fact that you never need to engage a sat nav. The guide also includes vouchers for each campsite, which makes the check-in process much simpler and more streamlined on each arrival.
As we climbed into our 4x4 I noticed the slogan on the side ‘Asco Car Hire Where Your Adventure Begins’. With over 30 years of car hire service in this unique environment, the company prides itself on being the biggest and most trusted provider of a fleet of over 250 vehicles for Namibia.
On the road
As we pulled out of the forecourt, we knew that we might encounter the harshest and the bumpiest of roads and the deepest desert terrain, we might encounter the wildest beasts, but we knew whatever came our way our vehicle would never let us down.
Moving north, we headed toward Etosha National Park, the biggest and most famous park in Namibia. It’s an easy four-hour drive from Windhoek on a good tar road and we arrived at Okaukuejo Camp just inside the park with little trouble. The rest camp, with its central lookout tower, is like a small village with all the facilities you would expect including a restaurant, pool and waterhole. There are many luxury chalets as well as the well-kept campsites.
Wild animal sightings are unpredictable, but during our two-day stay we saw zebra, rhinos, giraffes, elephants, wildebeest,
Nothing quite says "bucket list" like a cruise to Africa.
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