I had travelled with Bales before. In 1993 I had gone to India and Joanna Bales had been in the group. Obviously everything was done to impress her resulting in a fantastic holiday. Could this trip live up to my expectations?
The following year I had toured Namibia with three friends in a VW Combi. I had such fond memories of the country that I decided to go again. Would it still be the same? This time for the first time I would be travelling alone. What would it be like? I need not have worried, the trip exceeded my expectations in every respect.
We were very lucky in that our group only comprised five people plus our wonderful guide/driver. Of the two couples, the British pair were of a similar age to me while the other were Americans and much younger. Rayno, the driver was forty years younger than me and called me grandpa as did most of the others. Despite the age difference we all got along like a house on fire. Rayno was seen by the rest of us as one of the group and found it difficult at times to allow him “to do his job” in carrying bags etc..
As we were only six in a Land Rover designed to hold many more there was plenty of room to move around and take photographs. There was never a problem stopping if somebody wanted to photograph anything. Rayno has eyes like a hawk and would suddenly stop the vehicle, back up, jump out and come running back with something he had seen at the side of the road. It was on such occasions I and several of the others got to touch a snake and a giant millipede.
It is very difficult to select the highlight of the trip as there were so many. All of the campsites were amazing, each with its own special characteristics. They varied from the absolute luxury of Little Kulala to the splendid simplicity of the Skeleton Coast Research Camp. The latter was the most tent like, but they all had en-suite bathroom facilities with proper showers and flushing toilets.
In a couple as the water is solar heated, hot showers were not available until later in the day. Hardly a problem.
At every camp we were greeted on arrival by two members of, one with a tray of cold wet towels and the other a tray of drinks.
The food at each camp was impressive and the picnics had to be seen to be believed.
No matter where we went, the staff always had time to talk and were very knowledgeable about the area. They took great pleasure in ensuring that their guest had as an enjoyable experience as possible.
A particular highlight was the boat trip from Walvis Bay where a large bull seal called Casanova boarded each boat in turn to get some fish and have his photograph taken. The boat trip ended with a fantastic picnic on Pelican Point. It started with oysters and champagne and was followed by a feast seated at tables more suited to an Hotel with table linen etc.. This was followed by a dune drive which rivaled any roller coaster at an amusement park. It was fantastic. The skill of the drivers was most impressive. I am not sure that the occupants of the other two Land Rovers enjoyed it as much as we did. We just didn’t want to stop.
Of the animals, my personal highlight was to see a leopard draping itself over the branches of a tree at the side of the road as we drove through Etosha. Unfortunately it was not in the mood to stay and be photographed. Of the other animals we saw ostrich, zebra, oryx, springbok, lions, elephants, giraffe and many others.
Another particular highlight was tracking on foot a pair of rhino guided by three trackers. It was evident that all of those involved were very aware that we were the intruders in the animals territory and that nothing was done to disturb them. We were not allowed to get to close to the rhino in case we upset them. A similar thing happened a few days later when we came upon an elephant on the road. We stopped and waited some distance away until it decided to move off before we continued our journey.
It is never recommended to return to somewhere after a number of years as it rarely lives up to your expectations. In this case Namibia had obviously developed in 15 years. The towns are all bigger but the country is still as beautiful and tourism has developed for the better without destroying the environment. I would go back again…
Mr Brian Whiston
Interested in Wildlife & Africa? You can view the Bales Worldwide Into the Namibian Wilderness Itinerary – 17 day itinerary from only £5,775 or view all of our Nambia Holidays – or call our experts now on 08452 703 862.
