Namibia: The Africa No One Told You About
What if I told you that there is a country with
more wildlife than people? A place where you can drive for hours without passing a single
car. Where the silence feels endless and the landscapes seem untouched. Welcome to Namibia,
the second emptiest country in the world. [Music] In Namibia, the world’s oldest desert turns
its dunes into waves of red sand and ancient sunbleleach trees stand frozen in time. The
Atlantic Ocean collides with the desert in the most majestic way before stretching further
north where tens of thousands of seals blanket the shore. Along the way, we will sleep in some of
the most extraordinary places from remote lodges with views in every direction to hidden campsites
surrounded by nothing but nature. We will also meet the local and indigenous people of Namibia.
Those whose traditions have passed down for centuries and still hold a sense of timelessness.
We will self-drive on safaris through the plains of Ittoshia where elephants, giraffes, and lions
gather around water holes and venture deep into private reserves where leopards move silently
through the bush. Namibia is a journey that lingers long after the dust has settled. The
kind that changes the way you see the world, and you and I are about to see why. For our
road trip in Namibia, we need one thing, and that is a car. So after arriving at the
airport, we are heading straight to our local car rental company. Seeing our car in front
of me, I am honestly exploding with excitement internally. This is not just the car. It is kind
of the central part of all our Namibia adventures to come. Next, we are introduced to everything
we must know about the car, the equipment, how to operate the gas balloon, the fridge, yes,
we have a fridge, and the tent on top of the car, which will partially be our bed on this journey.
There are a lot of first times on this journey and this one is a big one. Before we can fully
head out, we are stopping in a supermarket for muchneeded grocery shopping that will supply
us for the next couple of days. And with a car full of gas, food, and excitement, it is time
to hit the road. [Music] For now, in Windhok, it is smooth as felt below the tires, but not for
too long. The road will quickly change to gravel, and the moment of transition is exactly here.
The tire pressure has to be reduced once you hit gravel road, just as we were taught. And wow,
simply wow. Literally within less than half an hour from the car pickup, we are on exactly those
wide, remote, what feels like neverending roads that we have seen online before. The first glimpse
of them in real life is as surreal as it can be. There’s absolutely nothing around us for miles
over miles, completely ours to explore. [Music] And with the first longer experience of driving on gravel roads that we are just getting
used to and getting a first glimpse of, the first destination is already on the
horizon and we are heading there now. We have arrived in our first town or village that
was planned on our itinerary which is Solitaire. And here you can get first of all gas. very
good stop on your way to Sifle. Always I would recommend whenever you have the opportunity to get
gas, do it because you don’t know when the next one is going to come. And secondly, this place
is actually famous for its apple pie. In fact, I read that it’s supposed to be the best apple
pie in all of Namibia. So, of course, I’m going to give it a try. Before we even taste the pie,
pause to take in the town’s beauty. Vintage cars left to rust like roadside sculptures,
greenery reclaiming its space and sprawling cactus garden that feels more like a desert
gallery. Definitely not your typical village. Okay, back to the famous pie. Hi,
how are you? Hey, how are you? Well, good. We get two of the apple pie cakes. What
made you so special or so famous? The famous apple pie. It was famous worldwide. Yeah. Yeah.
Made by a mixer. He’s the founder of the bakery as well. Cool. Unfortunately, he passed on in
2014. So, we are just continuing his leg. First try. Look at that. Looks very yummy. Huge. [Music]
It’s warm. Thank you very much. Was really good. This stop was great. We have a full tank again.
Our bellies are full with apple pie. But now it’s really time to get to Safle before the sun sets
and before it gets dark. So let’s go. [Music] Since this was just a stop along the
way, it is time to head on so that we arrive to our final destination before
sunset. Arriving to places before sunset is a crucial part of the Namibia journey and
part of your car rental agreement. In 200 m, you will arrive at your destination. Well, welcome
to our destination for the night, Susle Lodge. You know, a hotel is a special one when the hot
towels and the welcome drinks are out. And after a quick hotel introduction, it’s time to settle in
for the night. The sand here is already red. Like, I’ve heard so much about this red sand, and
I cannot wait to go to the dunes tomorrow. But seeing it here already makes me just so
much more excited. And look at our hotel room, which is basically this little building here.
And that’s all the other ones next to us. Our lodge for the night is super cute. And what
I love about it the most is that it has these windows all around it giving us the opportunity
to see the view straight from the room from the beds and it gives you these totally deserty
cozy vibes. The room itself is quite compact. You have a nice big bed, a little sofa
area and the optimization is really on the windows and looking out of them. And then
you have also a nice big bathroom over here. The colors are kept kind of brownish cozyish and
it makes it even nicer. This hotel isn’t just a convenient starting point for Susfle the next
morning. It’s part of what makes road tripping through Namibia so unique. Accommodation here
isn’t just about getting from A to B and just sleeping in a bed. Many places like this one
are thoughtfully built into the landscape, offering not just a place to rest, but a way
to really feel connected to the surroundings. It turns each stop into a full experience. And as
night falls and the few lights around us flicker on, the sense of remoteness really settles in.
There’s no noise, no distant glow on the horizon, just open space and silence. It feels untouched,
almost otherworldly. [Music] Conveniently, dinner is served in the hotel as well, and there are so
many options, as well as freshly cooked meat and stir fries straight in front of you. Everything is
fresh and delicious with a huge variety to choose from. And of course, they also thought about a
stargazing opportunity for after dinner with a cozy fireplace and some chairs right in front of
it. It is the next morning and we are up early because we have to arrive to our next destination
by sunset. So the earlier we head out, the more we have of the day. Now we are heading deeper into
Susule. Now our initial intention was to get to Suzule by sunrise because this is the best time
to see the change of colors and the beauty of the dunes in the morning. But there are two gates
that you need to pass in order to get to Susle. An inner gate which opens 1 hour before sunrise
and an outer gate which opens at sunrise. And the outer gate is located 60 kilometers away from
the inner gate. So there’s actually no way you can get there for sunrise unless you stay in the
inner gate or in very close distance to it. And the hotel we stayed at was the closest we could
possibly get to the outer gates of Susle. We are now we driving on the 4×4 mode. Oh my lord. It’s
like survival mode. We cannot get stuck in this. It’s like the ship was Look how much it’s shaking.
The key is to not stop in the sand. Otherwise, you get stuck. But if you do not have a 4×4,
if you don’t feel comfortable to drive, there is actually a pre-section where you can park the
car and then take a shuttle from there. Um, it’s a paid service, but it’s possible if you do not want
to get stuck in the sand. And then almost without warning, we are completely surrounded by towering
dunes, deep red sand, and the sheer scale of it all. The landscape opened up in every direction,
quiet and endless. It’s really quite a sight that I haven’t seen before. But the dunes are just
the beginning. We are on our way to Death Lake, a place that feels like it belongs on another
planet. The path winds through shifting sand and rising heat. And just when you think you’ve
seen it all, the landscape changes again. [Music] [Music] We parked the car as close as we can get
to that place and then it’s a little bit of a walk through the sand. It’s the first time I’m walking
through dunes like this for a longer time. And honestly, it’s not that easy as it looks like to
walk on deep sand, but eventually we are getting there. And we are seeing Deadlay in the distance.
Dead is one of the most iconic spots in Namibia. And once you see it, it’s easy to understand
why. I can’t believe we are here. Oh my god, it’s so beautiful. Wow. The word deadly
actually means dead valley. It’s dried up clay pen once fed by a river that no longer flows
now surrounded by some of the tallest dunes in the world. Scattered across the cracked white earth
are ancient camathon trees. Long dead but still standing. They’ve been scorched black by the sun
and preserved by the dry air for over 600 years. The contrast between the white pen, the red
dunes, the black trees, and the blue sky, it’s unlike anything else I’ve seen before.
It’s a photographers’s heaven. [Music] [Music] To be honest, that way isn’t just
a stop along the way. It’s something that stays with you through the rest of your Namibia
journey and long after you’ve left. The image of this place lingers. It’s kind of the site
that settles in your memory and never really leaves. And regardless of where you go,
you will always remember exactly that way. And that unique site that you just can’t find
anywhere else just like that in Susle. One of the main things that people also do is climb one
of the dunes. And as we stand here in the deadly, we can see the silhouettes and the shadows
of people climbing it. And I have all the respect for it because the views from there
must be spectacular. But at the same time, it is hot. And walking on the dunes is not easy
at all. Even when you walk towards the deadly, you will start feeling it because you walk over
the sand and you see how you take one step and you go basically two steps back. So it is quite
difficult and climbing this thing is going to take you hours. But the view, I have no doubt, must
be spectacular. And as I was googling this place, I kind of wondered what is the Big Daddy that
everyone is talking about. There’s the Big Daddy, which is the highest one. Guys, if you’re
here, you will know exactly which one is the Big Daddy. It is massive. It is that
one in the back. Look at that. That’s huge. I decided to take an easier
path down and run this thing. So fun. But you have to control yourself
to not fall face down. To be honest, on the very top it’s quite soft sand. I guess
more people are walking there. So it’s more like massage sand. But then the more you go
down, it feels like asphalt and it’s actually very hard to step on it like like here it’s
like doesn’t really go down right. So try running on this. Also standing in the middle
of Deadly, it hits you. You are surrounded by the Namib Desert. The oldest desert in the
world been dry for over 55 million years. At least that’s what people think. It can
also be longer than that. Shaped by wind, shifting sands, and time. Some areas go years
without a single drop of rain. The dunes here can reach up to 300 m high, constantly
reshaped by the wind. Yet, the landscape feels frozen in time. It’s a place that seems
untouched, vast, silent, and completely still. [Music] We came back from the desert and luckily
we have a full bag of shopping that we did on the first day in Vinhawk. So now we’re going to find
a nice little bench here under a tree and have some quick lunch before we continue the road. We
have everything we need for a lunch in the desert. Plates, cups, cutlery, and even wine glasses. And
a stove as well, which we’re going to use a little later. So many. They’re really small. Oh wow. Look
how many are bubbles. He tried his luck. There were quite a few of them trying to grab something.
So the lunch was over faster and it was time to face the drive through the deep sand again.
Further along the road, we spotted our first game. Just wandering through the landscape completely
at ease, as if we weren’t even there. It wasn’t a dramatic moment, but something about its calm
presence made it feel real. The quiet encounter was the first time it truly felt like we were in
the heart of the African wilderness of Namibia. [Music] On our way back from Susle to the hotel,
we stopped at Dune 45, which has not only a dedicated parking space and a little sign, so
there’s no way you can miss it, but also this dune right behind me, which is way more climbable.
I saw people walking up that thing in 10 minutes as if it’s nothing. So, if you want to have that
climbing experience in the red dune sand and the blue sky behind you, this one is one to come
to. And also, they have these picnic tables, so a perfect spot for your afternoon coffee. Our
next stop for the day is something truly special. It’s a hotel, but not just any hotel. Normally,
I’m not the type to rush to check in early. I’d rather stretch the day out at the sides, make the
most of every stop. But this place was different. For once, I actually wished we had arrived
earlier. About to go up now to the hotel, which is away from the main reception. And this
car is going to bring us there. To be honest, I didn’t fully know what I’d signed up for when
we booked this hotel. But I love a surprise. It all started at the main reception, which looked
like a typical lodge with regular rooms and the usual setup. But we weren’t staying there. We were
told to leave our luggage behind in our car and only take a backpack or small bag with us. From
there, things started to feel different. We set off down a long winding track far from the main
building in the hotel’s own 4×4. The drive just kept going. As we moved deeper into the landscape,
we started seeing more wildlife, more than we’d seen on our own so far. It felt like we were
slowly being pulled away from everything else. And eventually we arrived at our actual stay
tucked deep into the bush only accessible by the hotel’s own pickup. That’s when it started
to feel like something truly truly special. [Music] Tonight we are sleeping right here in one of
those houses. I can’t believe it either. And for now I’m just soaking it all in. But the
houses have a secret feature in them. So, just passed the hotel. Come with me to the
balcony where we’re going to sleep tonight. Oh my god, guys. Look at this. We’re going to sleep here
tonight with this view. There is no one. And that’s where we will be sleeping tonight,
under the stars. But before settling in for the night, it was time for dinner. We made our
way to the main cabin where the evening began with welcome drinks and a few snacks.
The timing couldn’t have been better. The sun was just starting to set, casting
warm golden light across everything. Wow. But for now, we are enjoying the
sunset. Look at that behind me. That is a real sunset here in Namibia.
And all the colors are so beautiful. [Music] The dining room was set up with care,
elegant, but not overdone. Just one other couple was there, which made the whole evening feel
intimate and relaxed. Dinner came out in courses, starting with a comforting, warm soup,
followed by a delicious mane and a dessert. Walking back to our hotel room was quite
dark, especially knowing that we are quite isolated in our location. But the time has
finally come. It was time to settle in for the night and we started preparing our bed
for it, which was still at its indoor spot. Tonight we will be sleeping on this
cozy bed, but not here in this room, but rather outside. And that means we
are going to push this bed now to the balcony. It has so many thick blankets, so
I’m hopeful it won’t be cold. But if we are, we also got a hot water bottle. And we have
our sleeping bags as well. Let’s push it. We actually see the stars. This is perfect. This is the best night
of my life. It’s so warm and cozy. Being under the stars with this emptiness around
you. This is so unique. I cannot believe it. I’m going to have the best sleep of my life.
I was probably a bit too optimistic about actually sleeping out there because I spent
most of the night just staring at the stars. It was so white and bright above me, it almost
didn’t feel real. And waking up with the warm sun rising above me was just as magical. With
daylight slowly filling the landscape, we could finally take in where we actually were and where
we slept. Just look at this place with the beds being movable to the outdoor balcony space. I’ve
definitely never seen something like that before. [Music] And the hotel is set up in complete isolation.
Nothing around us for miles. Just a handful of rooms, the main cabin and open space in every
direction. One of our concerns before staying here was the wildlife because we are out in
the open and we wondered if animals might wander too close during the night. But
luckily, or at least as far as I know, nothing and no one came near us.
[Music] I’m very curious to know, would you want to stay in such a hotel? Would
you be rather scared to sleep here at night and worried about potential animals coming by? Or
would you see it as an adventure and you would be excited to sleep in such a special hotel?
Let me know in the comments below. [Music] And now we have layered up a little
bit more to enjoy the sunrise, which is literally the best sunrise I’ve seen in
my life. How can it not be if I get to witness it from a bed like this? And it has all the
colors from the yellows to the oranges. Also, you get to see things like a tree with birds on
it, and it’s like the perfect Namibia postcard picture. And while I was still cozied up in bed
with my jacket on to keep myself nice and warm, we got a special delivery straight to
our door. And it was a hot container with coffee inside. Perfect to start
the morning even better. And that is pre-re because breakfast is also going to come
soon. But first thing first, I need my coffee. Speaking about breakfast, we are almost
late, so we are running back to the main cabin where a huge breakfast spread has been
laid out for us. We tried to stretch out the pickup time for as long as we could, soaking
in every last bit of the quiet and the view, but eventually it was time to move on. [Music] Although I was a little sad that we left,
it didn’t take long for the mood to lift. Just a short drive later, the scenery changed
completely. Different colors, different shapes, a whole new kind of beauty. Namibia has a
way of surprising you like that. At first, it might seem like driving from A to B in Namibia
could be a waste of time. The distances are long and you often spend more hours in the car
than at the actual site. But the drive itself is part of the experience. The landscapes are
constantly changing. Open planes, rocky hills, desert stretches, and they keep you engaged the
whole way. What makes it even more special is the feeling of total solitude. Most of the time there
are no other cars in sight. It feels like you have the whole country to yourself. And when you do
see another car pass by, it almost feels surreal, like a rare event in an otherwise private world.
So no, it’s never just time spent getting from one place to another. It’s part of what makes
the journey so unforgettable. And honestly, with a very good playlist playing in the
car, it feels even more fun. Let me know in the comments below whether you have any
playlist suggestions for these type of long road trips. [Music] We are now driving to Valves
Bay. Um and the road is pretty much straight for 200 kilometers. So the scenery is very beautiful
and you have to stay focused to the road because it’s very easy to just get into this loop
of looking into the distance and the beauty. But stay focused. It’s time for lunch. And
since we basically travel with our kitchen and our fridge with us, we can stop literally
everywhere for a little picnic on the road. One of the points I wanted to visit in Lisa Bay
was a lake where there are hundreds of flamingos, but I am here now and I cannot believe my eyes.
I have never seen flamingos in the wild and I have definitely never seen so many flamingos in
one place. This is insane. It is so beautiful. It’s such an elegant animal how it is
standing on one leg in the water and as far as I know they are balancing themselves
on the wind which means they never actually invest too much effort in standing in
that position and that pink color is coming from eating shrimp. That’s their diet.
That’s not a bad diet to have. But honestly, it’s just absolutely stunning to see them.
Unfortunately, when you come close to them, they start going away. But I have found a
different way to get really nice pictures of them. [Music] [Applause] [Music] Just in time for sunset, we arrived at our
stop for the night, Svakob Mund. Unlike the remote places we’ stayed before, this is
a proper town, so no wilderness tonight, just a more urban setting for a change. We will
explore the town a little bit later. But for now, we headed straight out for dinner. Pizza this
time. And honestly, it hit the spot. After such a long drive, it was exactly what we needed. The
rest of the evening was quiet and uneventful. Just some rest before the next day’s plan. The next
morning, right after breakfast, we were off again. This time for something completely different. We
were headed to Waller’s Bay to go quad biking in the dune. And I’m not talking about riding in
circles on some tiny patch of sand. No, we went fullon into the wild deep into the dunes with our
guide leading the way. And as for the quad itself, let’s just say it was a bit more intense than
I expected. The regular quad felt heavy and was hard to control for me. After struggling with
it for a little while, I switched to a child size squat. Way easier to handle and honestly much more
enjoyable for me. It turned out to be the right move. There’s no shame about that to swapping
to an easier quad or to a child squat. It’s all about the ride itself, which has been so much
fun. After a quick lunch and some time to relax, we jumped straight into our next activity. This
time, we were again joined by a guide. We had booked a tour with Sandwich Dune Tours and Safari.
And our guide for the day was Andre. And honestly, he was one of those rare guides who truly
leave a mark. have done a lot of tours and met plenty of guides, but Andre’s really stood out.
Knowledgeable, warm, and clearly passionate about what he does. The tour took us to the Sandwich
Harbor, one of Namibia’s most iconic and hard to reach places, where towering dunes meet the
crashing waves of the Atlantic. Getting there on your own is nearly impossible. You need permits
from various government offices, and even then, the drive is tough. The route runs right along
the beach, wedged between ocean and sand, and the risk of getting stuck is real. Booking with a tour
company isn’t just easier, it’s the only safe way to go. The day included a variety of sites. First,
a stop to see a group of flamingos. And just as I was watching them, I caught a dolphin jumping
out of the water right behind them. From there, we continued to a pink salt lake near a salt
factory and later into the dunes themselves, where Andreas showed us how to track and spot some
of the desert’s smallest wildlife. Our next stop is a search for a gecko. So, we stopped like
in the middle of the dunes, right next to the coastline, and Andreas is looking for a gecko
in the sand. So, I hope he can find one. What we looking for? It says there’s a little animal
inside. It’s deep. It’s actually better. It’s called the palmato. Palmato gecko. This is still
a juvenile one. It’s It’s And it’s a male. You only find it in the in the in the Nam Desert. So,
it’s one of the small five actually that you find here. Yes. So, we continue now to the next stop.
probably the one I’m most looking forward to, which is the dunes and where the sand meets them,
the sandwich harbor. And then the moment finally comes. We are heading into the heart of the dunes,
the sandwich harbor. We are so close to the ocean that it’s almost unreal with steep sand walls
towering besides us, some nearly 300 m high. The contrast between the endless sand and the crashing
waves is dramatic and surreal. Oh my god. [Music] [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] Another highlight was driving
straight down a massive steep dune in the 4×4. It honestly felt
like dropping off a wall. [Music] [Music] After the adrenaline rush, we stopped
for lunch right in the middle of the dunes provided by the tour company. And
somehow food just tastes better out here. [Music] We had a bit of free time afterwards to
explore on our own. Feel the sand and just take it in. Even a few steps in the soft
dunes were enough to feel how tough it is to move around. No need to go far to feel the
true majestic feeling that the dunes provide. [Music] We are about to go back and sadly this moment
has come. I wish we had more and more time here because it is really something special and
now is the time to take a moment to really soak it all up and put it into your memory so
you can remember this moment forever because it is really something special to just sit here,
listen to the ocean and look on the dunes. [Music] Oh, a guy told us to jump. Oh, out of the car. So cold. Come in the water. Oh my god. It’s a white
muscle. This is actually a very small one. Uh, it’s a white muscle. So, it’s a small
one. The birds, they’re eating it. So, you see that bird? He’s looking for one. You
see that bird one there? He’s looking for one underneath the soil. It’s so cold. Now, come
in. It’s so cold. Our final stop on the beach perfectly wrapped up the tour with Andre. Once
we returned to the port and said our goodbyes, we drove back to Swakobokmund and ended the day with
a dinner at a German restaurant. Fried potatoes, cabbage, and other local specialtities filled the
table and the setting felt like we had suddenly landed in Bavaria. That’s no coincidence.
Namibia was once a German colony and the influence is still strong. You see it in the
food, the buildings, the restaurant names, even in the language. And of course, the history
is everywhere around us. The next morning, after a quick grocery run, we set off to explore
Swakopmund a bit on foot. Walking through the town felt oddly familiar, like a small village in
Germany. Street names, signs, and buildings, and the architecture all reflected the German
heritage. The sightseeing didn’t last long though. We had to hit the road again for our
next destination. But first, we will explore the town. Sakosw is known to be kind of the
action capital of Namibia. That is because a lot of tours start from here. for example for the
sandwich harour or cruises etc. More specifically, they don’t start particularly from Swakopm,
but from Valves Bay, which is half an hour ride from Swakups. But because Swakos is a bit more
touristic and has more shops and hotels, it’s probably easier to stay here and you are kind of
in the center and 30 minutes away from Valve Bay. [Music] Also kind of makes you feel as if you’re in a time
capsule. It’s something between a German town, a little remote village in the US, and
Namibia combined in a city. It’s very, very unique, and it’s just fun to walk through
here, even if you have no itinerary in particular, and just observe the architecture
and the culture happening around you. We have arrived at our next stop, which is the
Okay, the smell got too strong. Second try. We have arrived at our next stop, which is the Seal
Reserve in Cape Cross. And oh my lord, the smell. Really ready to bring something with you.
A mask, a scarf. Wow. Cape Cross is one of those places that catches you a bit off guard
in the best way. It’s located along Namibia’s skeleton coast and is famously home to one of
the largest Cape furs seal colonies in the world. Depending on the season, there can be up to
100,000 seals gathered along the stretch of coastline. The moment you step out of the car,
the first thing you notice is the sound. Loud, constant, and echoing across the way. And
then the smell hits. Let’s just say it’s not subtle at all. But once you get past that,
the sight is incredible. Seals are everywhere, sprawled across the rocks, barking, playing,
resting, or diving into the waves. Sometimes you might even see baby seals. The coastline
here feels wild and raw with crashing waves and thousands upon thousands of seals stretched
across the rocks. And if you look on this coastline from a distance, the seals just
look like they are one with the rocks. It actually looks like part of the rock. While all
of this darkness here that we can see are seals. Heat. Heat. [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Applause] [Music] Sadly, the seals are not just seen as a
benefit for the country or the tourism in this part of Namibia. So many
seals need to eat a lot of fish, which leads to over fishing of
the area. As a result, sadly, not all the seals make it through life alive.
Seeing the seals was really, really fun, and we couldn’t really stop watching them. But
now it’s time to continue to our next destination. Through the edit, I can make it look like we just
fly to our next spot immediately. In reality, it took us a couple of fun driving hours, but we
are here. We have arrived at our next destination, which is Spitzka. And the way it went is that
we checked in at reception. We got a map and on the map you can see lots of numbers. Then you
understand how huge this area is. And I think we should have done a little bit more research to
understand which number is the best to stay at. But we asked at the reception and they said
number 10 111 is very popular with tourists because you have a very nice sunset from here. So
this is where we went and when you drive alongside the area you will see a little um signs with
the numbers so you know exactly where you are. Also there are kind of these dry toilets on
the campsites. If you want the wet ones and if you want showers or restaurants that is in
the main reception area. However depending on where you stay that can be a good drive away.
I guess now would be a good time to say what we are planning to do in Spitzko. Spitzko is not
only beautiful for the spots you can see here, the hikes you can do or the UNESCO World
Heritage site nearby, but it also supposed to have the best campsite in Namibia. And of
course, we not going to miss out on that. So this thing on the top of the park is a tent, and
that’s where we’re going to sleep tonight. [Music] [Music] As the sun starts to set, we begin getting
everything ready for the night. We open up the rooftop tent, unfold our chairs, and get the
little stuff going for dinner. It’s all still pretty new to us, so we are figuring things out as
we go, one step at a time. But there is something really satisfying about setting up camp in places
like this, surrounded by nature and silence. Let’s try to add to our bed for the night the
pillows and our sleeping bags. And inside we already have some blankets and a mattress, but
I’m going to show you in a second. [Applause] [Music] This is our tent from inside. We
have lots of space here. We got equipment from the renting company
like a blanket and some pillows, but we did bring our own sleeping bags just in
case it gets a little bit colder. We have some uh bags over there on the top to store some small
things and otherwise a mosquito net. And the view [Music] [Music] Let me show you the campsite as it is now
set up for us for the night. We have our tent on the roof all set up and ready to go for
sleeping. This is our kitchen station. So here we have cutlery. We have gas happening
as well. So we can cook something here. A beautiful view for dinner with a table
and two chairs. And then we started a fire. Now that it’s dark, we can enjoy the
fireplace, the cooking, boiling the water for some pasta. And I took out this
headlamp to have a little bit more light, so everything looks way more like a spaceship
now. I think the pasta is basically ready. And we are having pasta with bought tomato
sauce. We have chicken that we made on the grill and a little salad. I wouldn’t say it’s
too bad for a campsite. Yeah, pretty good. [Music] There’s only one last thing left to
do. That’s brush our teeth and then sit next to the fireplace
to warm up for the night. [Music] We climbed up to the tent now, ready to
go to bed. And it’s actually so so so cozy here. We have a lot of padding, plus the pillows and our
sleeping bags. And there’s actually a lot of room for two people to be totally comfortable here.
So with that, good night and I’ll see you in the morning. Good morning. We just woke up, opened
the tent, and saw this beautiful view in front of us of the mountain rocks and the Spitzcopy area
being hit by the sunrise. It’s so beautiful. And we were really, really hot at night. We had all
this preparation in terms of sleeping bags and hot water bottles and blankets. But actually we
were sweating because the the tent itself also keeps in a lot of heat. So definitely cold wasn’t
an issue. But unfortunately the wind was an issue. We kept waking up during the night because of
these noises that the tent makes. And it’s okay. It’s totally worth it nevertheless. And also I was
very excited to sleep here. So my sleepless night was also partially because of that. I’m still
very very happy. And waking up with this view makes it all worth it. Quick bathroom tour. This
is the dry toilet. There’s nothing. It’s just a box. It’s very clean. Actually, I was thinking
there’s going to be way more of a smell, but there is nothing. And then we have a dry toilet
over here. Dry toilet means there’s no flushing, no water. You just do your business and off
you go. Still waking up. The sun is definitely helping in that. But now it’s really, really time
for coffee. This is our surrounding area that is in a totally different light now in the morning
than it was yesterday evening. We have beauty all around us like 360. There’s not a spot where
you can go wrong to camp for the night. And we also have neighbors in very close distance which
is something we wanted because staying in such a place for the first time you’re kind of not sure
are there going to be people? How safe is it? So, we’re very happy that some people decided
to park next to us and it felt very more of a communal security package. Okay, time
to find some stuff that I need for the day. Okay. What should I wear? Okay, breakfast is getting
ready. We are having coffee, of course, and scrambled eggs and a few other things. Breakfast
felt very healthy and it definitely kept us full for a good while. This was also needed because
now it’s time to walk around Spitzko and explore the area further. I also love how we literally
had a first row perspective on the nature around us. Of course, you have to go on a little hike or
at least a little walk around Spitz Copper if you don’t feel comfortable or if you want to walk in
a specific direction. There are actually guides on specific points that can take you and can show you
the nice nice spots. But what I noticed already is that the trees here are very very special. Looks
like a completely ordinary tree, but the stems are so sharp when you touch it. It looks like
a normal wood and like a normal tree, but don’t come close to them. They are so sharp. One of the
more popular walking sites and potentially a very popular picture spot is a specific arch where
you have to climb on a rock. Everything is quite doable. If I can do it, you can do it. The view
from the top is truly amazing. On the one side, you look straight to Spitzko while you’re sitting
in the arch. And on the other side, you’re looking into the nature and the wilderness of it all.
[Music] Before leaving Spitz Copper, we also went on a hike with a guide and we entered a specific
area where we could see these types of paintings on the rocks. They have been there for quite some
times and truly standing in front of art like that and seeing it with your own eyes, it feels like
a history book that came to life. Spitzcopa is also meant to be a selfserving location where
you camp and you provide food to yourself, but there is a little coffee house as well on
grounds with prices that are a little bit high, but food is available. Our next stop was a visit
to the Sun people, one of the oldest continuous cultures in the world. And this stop was not too
far away at all. In Namibia, the sun have lived for thousands of years as hunter gatherers, deeply
connected to the land and the rhythms of nature. Today, some communities still share the traditions
of visitors through storytelling, fire making, and demonstrations. It’s not a show per se, but
a chance to glimpse in a way of life that has endured through time, shaped by knowledge passed
down for generations. When we visited the sun, we were welcomed really warmly. We were told that the
sun do not live in this location all year round, but they relocate and move to this place exactly
for the purpose of educating visitors that are interested to learn more about the sun people.
Hi. One of the most fascinating parts of the visit was hearing the sun’s click language in
action. The language uses a series of distinct click sounds which are part of their everyday
speech. It’s completely natural to them but incredibly unique to listen to. As they showed
us how they make fire using traditional methods, they spoke to each other in this clickfield
rhythm. We couldn’t understand the words, but we could feel the connection and the
ease with which they worked together. This was such an interesting encounter,
especially since we were lucky enough also to meet the rest of the group,
including the children. However, there is so much more to learn about it
and especially since we also met a couple of other local groups. though I don’t want
to squeeze it into this main Namibia video and there will be another video focusing
just on the local and indigenous groups of Namibia. I can’t wait to share more of this
with you. Oh wow. [Applause] [Music] [Applause] We were out on the road again racing to reach our
next destination before sunset as usual this time Madisa campsite. And once again, it turned
out to be an incredible spot. To be honest, we hadn’t pre- booked anything for this night.
Since this was our first camping trip in Namibia, we wanted to stay flexible just in case. But after
our experience at Spitz Copper, we were completely sold. So, we looked for a spot along the way,
and Madisa ended up being the perfect fit. The good thing about road tripping in Namibia is that
there are a lot of campsites scattered across the country. It’s rare to be stuck without a place
to stay. as long as you have a general idea of where you’re heading and make sure you are in
an area with options. When we arrived at Madisa, we were blown away. This wasn’t just a place
to park and sleep. It felt like its own little world. We had our own private site surrounded by
nature completed with a treehouse, a fireplace, and a setup that felt more like a wilderness
lodge than a campsite. It quickly became a home for the night and one we hadn’t expected at
all. Let me quickly show you around. First of all, we already have our tent set up. It took us
significantly less time because it’s already our second time setting it up. And the cooking
station is already there, ready to go. But the campsite itself looks like this. We have a fire
station which is heating the water with which we can shower. And shower are we going to do
up there in the treehouse. And otherwise, we have a little sun boo over here. So in the morning
there will be a nice shade. For now we have set up our table here and we are going to be warming up
the fire for the water and otherwise there’s also electricity here which is another big plus. But
honestly the best part we quickly show you on the top. First of all it is open roofed. This is our
toilet. And otherwise, the shower is over here. Wow. Looks really cool. I always wanted to
shower under the roof, under the sky. [Music] Our campsite actually has really nice kitchen
facilities. So, we have this whole area for cooking. We also got running water and
that makes it so much easier. However, we’re almost out of food, so we are having for
dinner a weird combination of pasta with feta and then as a salad, we have cucumber, corn, and
cucumber corn, lemon. That’s it. During dinner, we were nice and cozy, warming up for the
night since we were seated right next to the fireplace. And afterwards, I headed up to our
treehouse to have a look on everything around me. And it honestly felt like a big big dream to stay
here. Morning. We woke up quite early just because we have a long drive ahead of us and we want to
leave a little bit of buffer time. We started with coffee and some boiled eggs and honestly, we slept
like babies. We could barely hear any sound, no wind at all. The night was so relaxing. But when
we saw where we actually slept tonight, which kind of looked like a mini bitscoffer, but definitely
like another planet, it was even more amazing. [Music] By the way, have you subscribed already to
my channel? It would mean the world to me and it is the biggest form of support. Also,
you will not miss out on any further videos if you are subscribed to my channel.
After having visited the sun people, I also headed to a cultural site dedicated
to the Damara people, specifically the Damara Living Museum. This visit was quite
different though. Right from the entrance, it felt more like a touristic experience
with clearly marked gates, set paths, and stage demonstrations. The Damara people no
longer live this way in daily life. What you see here is a recreation of how things used to
be preserved as part of cultural education. And while the site is still informative and offers
a look into the Mara history, it definitely felt less authentic compared to the sun visit. Still,
it’s a way for traditions, language, and heritage to be shared with visitors, especially as much
of it risks to be forgotten, even though it’s no longer a living way of life. It’s a glimpse
into a culture that once shaped this region deeply. And here are the clicks that we use
when we talk in the language. Once we pronounce and the exclamation mark in it. But again, we were quite lucky to witness how the Damara people were performing a dancing
and singing ceremony. It sounds so nice. [Music] I already [Music] We again [Music] just driving to UVO and we saw some cars
stopping. And so they thought there’s some kind of checkpoint, but a giraffe
was crossing the road. And now we see them over there. And there’s actually
a full-on giraffe family. That’s insane. We are not even in a specific spot. It’s
just in the middle of the road. [Music] I don’t know if there can be a better
representation of the spontaneous encounters with animals we had in Namibia, but this is probably
the highlight of the spontaneous encounters. Still on the way to Aubu. We are 6 hours in now
of driving. And the more north you go, the more authentic your experience gets. There are lots of
villages on the roads. And we saw a lot of animals just roaming around really goats, cows, giraffes.
Unfortunately, that’s it. We’re really hoping to see an elephant. But the roads are way less
maintained the more north you go. I guess it’s not as touristic, so it makes sense. And we haven’t
seen a car for like 4 hours. The town of Apu is definitely off the beaten path in Namibia. This
place is not part of the common touristic route, which is exactly why I wanted to go. Also, there’s
another special thing that you can only see there, and I definitely had to get there. While almost
everything we’ve done so far in Namibia already felt new and different, heading north towards Aubu
offered something else entirely. A deeper look into parts of the country most travelers skip.
Going off the beaten path gives you a different kind of insight, showing you more of what lies
beyond the horizon. And this is important to me. Eventually, we made it to our hotel just in time,
ready for the next special part of the journey. Waking up with the sunrise definitely has its
benefits. This morning, we had an early start to meet our guide, someone who would take us to visit
a Hima community. In Namibia, there are several places where you can visit Ha people, but many
of them are staged settings built for tourists. After the previous experience, it was important to
me that this was authentic, not something to put on for a show. To truly meet the Hima in a more
genuine context, you have to go further north to Ou and even beyond. The Hima are semi-nomadic and
they don’t live in one fixed location that you can just search for on a map. The only real way to
find them is with the help of a local guide who knows the region and has relationships with the
communities. And after a longer drive, we finally reached our destination. This is as authentic
as it gets. The village was totally difficult to get to. It was 60 km drive from Upuvo and then
we went kind of off road a bit to find them. Now, our guide is asking for permission for us to
visit this village and we also brought some gifts for them as a token of appreciation.
After a short conversation between our guide and the local leader, we were given permission to
enter the village and spend time with the people living there. It felt like a real privilege being
welcomed into a space that isn’t set up for show, but is part of everyday life. The Hima people are
one of Namibia’s best known indigenous groups. And what makes them so unique is their deep connection
to tradition. They are semi-nomadic pastoralists, primary raising cattle and goats and have
managed to maintain their customs, dress, and way of life despite the pressures of
modern society. One of the most striking things you will notice is their appearance. Hima
women cover their skin and hair with a paste made from butter fat and a red okra. It gives
their skin its natural deep red tone which is both beautiful and symbolic. It represents earth,
blood and life. Their hairstyle and jewelry also carry deep cultural meaning often indicating age,
marital status and social role. A special aspect about the Hima people is also that they do not
shower but maintain hygiene in different ways. They say they are very happy because you are you you are proud and of course thanks
you don’t worry about the the opera also here we will get to know the ha better in my
next video because there is so much more to know and you’re my favorite are my favorite. Don’t tell
anyone. Don’t tell anyone that you’re my favorite. Our journey through the north continued as we made
our way back towards Ouo where we stopped to visit another cultural group, the Herrero people.
Before heading to the village, we stopped at a local supermarket to pick up a few small supplies
as a token of appreciation for being welcomed into their community. The Herrero are traditionally
kettle herders and are known for their strong sense of identity and history. What stands out
most visually is the traditional dress worn by Herrera women. Colorful voluminous Victorian
style gowns with horn-shaped headpieces. The style dates back to the German colonial period and
has since become a proud symbol of their culture and resilience. As we arrived in the village,
we were warmly welcomed. The women dressed in their bright and elegant attire greeted us with
smiles and open arms. We were invited to see a bit of daily life and introduced to the children
who were full of energy and curiosity. It didn’t take long before we were laughing and playing with
them, sharing simple moments that felt meaningful. [Applause] And you moved. You moved. You moved. You really know it. Are you tickly? Are you
tickly? Oh, you know it. Head, shoulders, knees, and toes. Knees and toes. Eyes and
ears and mouth and nose. Head, shoulders, knees, and toes. Knees and toes. [Music] It’s so
amazing. I’m so happy. I cannot start smiling. These kids just make you so happy. Like, look
how happy they are. Then you just get happy. After spending some time in the village
and learning more of the way of life, it was time to head back to our accommodation
in UVU. We arrived just in time for sunset, catching the last golden light from our balcony,
followed by a quiet dinner to end the day. [Music] It is morning again and we are out early. This
time heading in one clear direction. Today we are finally reaching Atosa, one of Namibia’s most
iconic and well-known destinations and hopefully see lots and lots of animals. We entered through
the West Gate which is called the Gton Gate and paid $150 per person for the entry as well as 50
for the car for the day permit. Also, if you have a drone, you are asked about that and the drone is
sealed by the Namibian police until you exit the park again. And also, at this point, you can buy
a map of Ittosha, which is very helpful. That was just $150, and it shows you exactly which roads
you can take, which where the water holes are, but also which is quite helpful, it has a whole
list of all the animals you can spot here in the park. And it makes it a little bit like a game
where you can exactly know what to look for, but also how it’s called. It national park is one of
the oldest and largest national parks in Africa, covering over 22,000 square kilm. To put that into
perspective, that’s roughly 3 million football fields, a truly massive stretch of protected land.
The name means great wide place, referring to the vast pen, a giant salt flat visible from space.
The park is home to elephants, lions, rhinos, giraffes, zebras, and countless antelope species,
as well as over 300 types of birds. What makes Atosha special is that you don’t need a guide or
safari vehicle to explore it. You can self-drive, stopping at water holes to watch wildlife
gather, all from the comfort of your own car. Wow, we found the first watering hole
and there are lots of animals there drinking from the water. It’s zebras and
spring box and then lots of other animals. [Music] We have now stopped at Oantous which
is one of the campsites located right in the middle of Htoa. So this is one of
the spots where you can actually see the animals after the park closes after
sunset. And the campsite itself is okay but you have the perk of seeing the
animals after everyone has already left. [Music] The observation platform at leantos is so much
better than what I had imagined. First of all, you get these little desks around here
where you can find your perfect spot and sit on. There are even some sockets
to charge your devices. And the watering hole is literally below the observation
desk, which means if animals come up, it’s like 2 m away from you while you’re up and
there’s no danger. I think if you manage to find a spot in a phanto which books out fast and there
are only a couple of camping spots, then you will be really really lucky because you are literally
a fence away from all the animals in Atosa and nobody else is here at this time when you are.
So that is a pretty unique experience. [Music] Oh my god, we found the king of the jungle,
a lion family, and two baby lions. Three, three baby lions. I cannot believe
what I’m seeing. They are so cute. And they literally couldn’t care
less about us. They hide under the shadow of the tree. And the babies are
just so adorable. Oh my god. [Music] [Music] absolutely look majestic and blend with their
surroundings. So, it’s really difficult to spot them. But where would you go at 3:00 p.m. when
the sun is super strong? Probably hide under some shadow. And that’s exactly where we found
this family. And I think that is a really good trick to think about the timing of the day and
where the animals would be at this time. [Music] We have found a massive water hole
with all the animals. Elephant, giraffe, rhino, springbrook, zebra, all
of them. All of them. This is insane. Like this is the image that you see when you
think of safari. All the animals in one spot. And I cannot believe my eyes. The elephant
is huge. Huge. Like the African elephant is way bigger than the Asian one that I’ve seen
before. Like this look right here. That’s insane. [Music] [Music] It really seems like you can spot all the animals
very easily. I’ve heard that it might not be easy and there might be some days we don’t see
anything. But today is day one and we saw all of the animals already. I mean apart from
birds, but all the main animals that we wanted to see like giraffe, elephant, lion, spring,
rhino, all of them done. I’m so happy. There is literally an elephant family coming our
way. We saw them in like distance away. We thought let’s just wait. We’re going to come
to the water hole. It’s five elephants. Ah, we are ready to drive away if we have to, but
I hope we can get them really, really close by. [Music] [Music] It is the second day of exploring
Ittosha. And after paying the ticket for the day, we are off to explore. Today
we are seeing all the animals again, but we already know what to expect and are way
more comfortable with driving around it. [Music] Oh my goal. [Applause] [Music] [Music] Just to put things into perspective,
that’s me kind of leaning right now out of the car window for this view. There are 20 elephants,
if not more, at the water hole and we can’t get closer cuz they start making angry noises. So,
we leave them in peace and we observe them from a safe distance. But it’s insane. There are
even like five, six baby elephants and they are super cute cuz they just like play around.
And look at that. So many elephants. [Music] One important aspect to point out is that it
is best to practice a little bit the reverse skills before coming to Ittosha because sometimes
in situations like this when these huge elephants start walking your way, you better control that
car really well and know how to get out of the situation fast. Ultimately, this is their space
and their home. We are just guests driving around there. We found another rhino. Such a lucky day.
Two rhinos in a day. And I think it’s the black rhino. The Tosha Park opens and closes according
to sunrise and sunset. And every day on the gate where you enter, the employees would change a
clock to show you exactly the time you would need to exit. And that is on the minute precise. Today,
for example, it’s 6:27. We are a little bit on the edge, but still making it. And we’re not going to
test what would happen if you are late. We made it out on time. The next morning, we arrived at a new
hotel. And the moment we stepped into our room, it felt like something out of a picture book.
Windows in every direction with sweeping views of the landscape all around us. Just imagine
waking up here with animals just casually walking next to your window. It had been incredible, but
there was one animal we hadn’t managed to see, the leopard. While Atosha is home to many species,
leopards are notoriously elusive there. That’s why we decided to change things up and head to
Okonjima Nature Reserve. Unlike Atosha, Okonjima is a private reserve known especially for its
work in wildlife conservation, particularly with big cats. The reserve spends a vast area and is
home to the Africation, which focuses on research and rehabilitation of predators like leopards,
cheetahs, and others. We joined a guided safari, something a bit more traditional and structured
compared to our self-drive experiences through Atosha. Our guide had a special tracking device
that receives signals from the colored leopards within the reserve. The leopards are not tamed.
They live wild but are occasionally monitored for research and protection. Guides also stay in radio
contact with each other to share sightings across the reserve. We drove through this beautiful
rugged landscape, scanning the trees and bushes. And after a while, it happened. We spotted a
leopard right in front of us. It moved with that unmistakable grace, silent, powerful, and
completely unfaced by our presence. Even more amazing, we saw it more than once. At one point,
it walked right down the road in front of us, then went off alongside the vehicle, blending
almost completely into the bush. It was the kind of moment that makes you hold your breath,
especially because you’re a little bit scared as well. As the sun began to set, our guide pulled
out sundowners and we watched the sky change color from the comfort of the vehicle. It was
calm, quiet, although a little bit cold and the perfect end to the day we won’t forget. Back at
the lodge, a warm bowl of soup and other things that we had for dinner by the fire was waiting.
Exactly what we needed after such an unforgettable day on safari. Good morning. We woke up today
with an insane view from our bed window of animals running in front of us and us having like this
view of the wind moving around. It was very, very beautiful. The night itself was quite cold, but we
had good thick blankets as well as our hot water bottles. And now we are having breakfast. And the
breakfast is really compact here and super cute. You have this beautiful setup of all the options
and the bread. Look at that bun. It’s homemade, fresh and warm, and it’s perfect. Also, we have
a few fireplaces going, but it’s still pretty cold here. Our time at the reserve has been short,
but sweet and definitely memorable. Lucky for us, we got a little animal goodbye just before we were
about to head off and check out from our room. The last two hours of our time in Namibia, we are
spending in Binto because that’s where we’re going to return the car and then fly back from. And
this is a perfect amount of time to quickly drive around the city and see the main landmarks.
Unfortunately, not to explore them deeper, but at least get a little feel for the city. Vento
has a few really beautiful architectural pieces in the city which are filled with history. There is
equally a museum you can visit and that museum has an observation platform from where you have this
beautiful view all over Windhok. After thousands of kilometers on gravel roads, endless horizons,
and moments that felt almost unreal, one thing is clear. Namibia isn’t just a trip you take. It’s
a journey that lingers long after the dust has settled. The kind that changes the way you see
the world. Truly. If you’ve enjoyed coming along on this journey, make sure to like this video
and subscribe for more journeys like this one cuz there are many more stories to tell. Thank you
for watching and I will see you in the next one. [Music]
Join me on an unforgettable road trip across Namibia — one of the emptiest countries in the world, but filled with more beauty and wildlife than you can imagine. From the red dunes of Sossusvlei to the seal colonies of Cape Cross, from meeting the Himba people to spotting lions and leopards on safari — this journey shows Namibia like you’ve never seen it before.
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WHO AM I?
I’m Rita, born in Ukraine, raised in Germany, and living in London for the past decade. I share captivating travel destinations, from bustling cities to hidden gems, exploring the unique stories, flavors, and cultures of each place. My videos inspire you to embrace the unknown and make life an endless adventure, creating priceless memories beyond our comfort zones and smile along the way. Join me on that adventure 🚀
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5件のコメント
Great to see you back again Rita, What time of year was this trip? How was the apple pie, you didn't say wow afterwards, so maybe you didnt like so much, Did you have cream with it aswell?
enjoyed the video, after seeing Nate and Kate in Namibia aswell, it looks like an awesome place to visit
THANK YOU so much for sharing such amazing experiences with us!
This is epic!
Nice video you share 👍