Boots and Giant Vampire Bats! (Tips for traveling in Namibia)

Member Name: B-DISE

Product:	Tips for traveling in Namibia
Date:	02/05/04 (99 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Safety

Disadvantages: Preparation

Beware?! At night giant vampire bats fly? hunting? find you only to slip into your sleeping bag while you are having sweet dreams of your current adventure and sucks the life out of you! Oh yes, they do?and enjoy every drop of blood leaving your helpless body through the tip of your toes. Pardon? Do you really dare to question my statement? Great! Now that I have your full attention, of course it is not true! Namibia does not have giant vampire bats sucking life out of humans! The keen nature lover will find bats in Namibia and as a matter of fact, a very interesting specie of wildlife to study?indeed, no giant blood sucking monsters which I have encountered yet.

Oops?my apologies, the topic on hand? Hints and tips for travelling in Namibia. Thanks for the reminder.

Personal experience made me realize in amazement just how rare important ordinary information is available to the intended traveler. You will find your planning to step onto Namibian soil exhilarating. Eventually all the information and elaborate photographs will help you to surrender to the promise of the experience of a lifetime, mysterious and very appealing. The closer your departure, inner fear of the unknown will set in and uncertainty is bound to take control.

Relax! Fortunately I have a few hints to share. Janet, a former colleague bought a new Opel Sedan. We left Windhoek, the capital of Namibia soon after having to drive 816 kilometers before reaching our destination Luderitz, situated at Namibia?s south-west coastline. Passing Keetmanshoop on the way to Luderitz being the last stretch, the gravel road began. Janet, not an experienced driver on gravel and very excited about her vechile ignore my warning speeding as usual when?oh, sooner than I could imagine, she lost control. Sliding 500 meters and in the process turning around and around three times without the vechile ever flipping over thank goodness, Janet barely managed to stop! Accident free! Can you imagine the
shock and relief I felt realizing we were still alive! I took control and drove until reaching our destination as Janet was stunned into silence.

Prevention is better than cure. Renting a vechile any visitor driving in Namibia should always be responsible for his/her own life and those who accompany him/her. Make sure the vechile stay in good condition while you are in possession. Excessive speed is the main cause of traffic accidents on gravel roads. Take care, as all gravel roads are different. Observe road traffic signs and abide by the rules. Keep a watchful eye for movement like game and smaller animals. Smaller animals cause immense damage to a vechile when hit. In dusty conditions it is important to switch on headlights for other vechiles to identify your vechile. Reduce speed with oncoming traffic and when closing in on curves. Keep to the left of the road as far as possible at all times. Good advice to remember is to enquire about the recommended tyre air pressures as it plays an important role in the road-holding ability of the vechile. Avoid travelling at night due to increased game movement. Beware of slippery roads and running or standing water in rainy conditions. Always keep both hands on the steering wheel. Believe me, I am able to write you a true event regarding each and every hint I have just mentioned, but as we must move on I shall spare you.

A few years back a couple toured Namibia in a rented four-wheel drive. Sadly and very unfortunately the couple were found after a lengthy ordeal. Only when the couple did not border their plane to head home, it was discovered they were missing and eventually it was fatal and could have been prevented.

To ensure yourself exploring new surroundings with a memorable safe journey, inform local people and/or friends of your movements. Information regarding your destination, the routes and approximate times are essential. Oh, and do inform those same people of your safe arrival. A st
ranger could become a lifesaver! Do not travel without a proper roadmap of Namibia. Be certain you understand reading the map and the instructions/signs. Without a map one can loose direction easily. Precious time can be lost when indeed you have to be saved without any person in possession of information regarding your movements.

Janet and Brian, two very good British friends of ours, soon discovered being without the correct and enough basic supplies could cause havoc during their fun filled holidays. As Janet, Brian, Gundi and I drove back to Windhoek coming from Swakopmund, situated at the west coast of Namibia, the east winds coming through the desert dragged high temperatures towards us. Driving through the heat about 5 kilometers from Usakos, both started complaining about a pounding headache as well as fatigue. Both consumed a lot of water all the way as advised before they left for Namibia therefor neither believed more than water was needed. We decided to pull off the road and found a delightful restaurant ordering two large glasses of cool drinks, to be exact, Coke. After two cold refreshing glasses and a half an hour of rest, headaches disappeared, shivers subsided and we could be on our way again.

Dehydration increases the loss of important body fluids, which have to be replenished regularly, not only with water. Take my advice and pack more liquid beverages than usual. Visitors are always excited about the thought of sunshine, yet it often leads to tragic consequence. During Namibia?s winter?s temperatures in the south, central and eastern areas can range from 18 to 25 degrees Celsius. In the west and coastal areas temperatures can be from 15 to 25 degrees Celsius and the northern areas as high as 49 degrees Celsius. It may sound appealing to most of you, beware, also very deceptive! Water, soft cool drinks, juices and even Namibian beer should be first and foremost on your shopping list. Beer should not be consumed while driving and
only after you have reached your destination for that night. Driving and drinking alcohol is hazardous and illegal.

Liquids are not the only important item on your list, so is food. It is advisable to be prepared for anything that could happen as well as the fact that one needs food combined with liquid beverages during travelling. Sandwiches, energy bars, sweets and snacks in the vechile are usually easy to pack in cooler bags and easy to carry. Make sure to pack a warm jacket and a hat. Dress as colorful as possible. Do not prepare your trip without one pair of ankle-high quality boots at least.

Various parts of Namibia are semi-desert/desert (freezing during the night, blistering hot during the day), hence the jacket and the hat. Truly very important not to forget those two little items. Wearing colorful clothing would identify you much easier in the bush in the event of an unfortunate event. Think about it, natural colors blend in with nature. Boots are made for walking?Ankle-high boots reduce the risk of snakebites, scorpions and spiders. You have really paid attention up till now, therefor would be able to read your roadmap of Namibia, find the correct direction?and start walking?

No! Do not think of attempting such a move yet. In the event of your vechile breaking down it usually is strongly advised to stay with your vechile. During the night your vechile will shelter you from extreme low temperatures, keep you safe from wild animals and scorpions, snakes and other creeping insects. During daytime your vechile can again provide you with shelter from the sun and the heat. You will not be able to carry enough provisions necessary for walking to find help. A Vechile can be traced rather than a person due to the fact that it can be spotted easier.

You still want to take on the road hiking for help? Oh, why do I bother! Start walking!

To conclude, should any of you decide in future to travel Namibia, please feel free
to contact me for more hints tips and advise before your departure. I shall gladly share my experience in an effort to ensure your safe journey with pleasure.

E-mail: teesnam@iway.na

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