Properly the first step to getting over the

Properly the first step to getting over the idea that that it is plain impossible to go to Africa is the fact it's not as exotic as you might think... well, sort of. I mean it certainly is still exotic and far-flung, with an air of danger and romance thrown in? Sure. But is it so distinctive that nothing will be like home and you'll feel lost and out of your element and home-sick while 10, 000km from your home? Nope, probably not. And for those who aren't regular globe trotters dwelling the nomad life, that is great media.

You see, Africa was colonized by many people different European countries and they've most left their mark. The Romans and Greeks conquered much of Northern Africa at various times, and even find examples of this throughout fusion cuisine such as Italian/Ethiopian eating places in America. The Dutch and the English language both colonized South Africa, they speak Portuguese in Angola because that's exactly who came in and colonized (same having Brazil), the West of Cameras was largely colonized by Portugal (they even had some of America if you remember - Baton Rouge, New Orleans, Quebec, Montreal, etc . ), and the country we're centering on - Namibia - was colonized by Germans. "Now, that's all well and great", you're considering, "but what the hell does this need to do with me? ". Simple - plenty of Europeans already visit countries in which their ancestors colonized. They speak the chinese language and often know somebody. So even though Africa is in general still great and untamed, you can definitely get yourself a bratwurst and a lager during your trip through Namibia. Sure, you can always eat some gazelle or zebra also to make it more thrilling, but if you sense homesick and want something common, you can definitely find it.

Now that that is covered, you might be surprised to find out how easy it is to get there. There are lots of primary flights from New York to Cape Town and Johannesburg, and from there it's no problem flying to Namibia's capital city of Windhoek. There are lots of conventional, European-style hotels landscaping	in Colorado Springs there and the US ALL dollar is pretty much accepted everywhere you go. Namibia's government is also tied to Southern region Africa's so they're a bit more stable than the average African country. Maltahohe, namibia even has a good road technique and it's highway signs and directions were installed with all the accuracy and effectiveness the Germans could muster, which is saying something. All in all, Maltahohe, namibia is possibly the perfect place to discover Africa and its wonders.

Well the truth is, not every country in Africa will be war-torn and in constant civil conflict with rebels driving down every road threatening you with AK-47s or lions on leashes. I know this may shatter your world view, sometimes countries are pretty well run. The largest thing for Namibia is their previous Apartheid government it distributed to South Africa, but that of course is officially over for a while now, and in turn of bitter resentment it seems like everyone there is just happy to have it be performed. Sure some countries are better left un-seen for the casual tourist, but Namibia is plenty safe.

Right now, that being said, Namibia is also vast together with sparsely populated. So while it might be safe on a human level, the particular countryside and animals can be hazardous. However because of this, everyone is always looking for each other. I don't think I ever before pulled over to check a map exactly where someone that passed didn't stop to make certain I was okay. It's just the approach it is out there - you have to check each other.

Good question! Let me tell you a little bit about my trip there.

Following landing at Windhoek's Eros air port, I got a rental cell phone, found my own ride to the rental car depot and even took off. Rental cars are really a good choice in Namibia. They don't have a lot public transit and the roads are usually in good condition. So I had a shiny Toyota Corolla waiting to take me on my safari dreams when I arrived. I understand, I know - a Corolla is just not exactly what you think of when you think firefox in Africa. But what can I say, I was by myself and smaller autos are cheaper. Plus this matter was a bit beefier than a United states corolla. Trust me, the car is probably even more up to the challenge of driving throughout Namibia than you are. Case in point, it made it through my crash no problem. I mean that wasn't a huge crash, but still. Part note: crashing your car into the employee's break table before you even abandon the rental car lot is not a wonderful way to instill trust in a rental car enterprise. Damn the driver's seat simply being on the right and shifting along with the left!

Cars are to Namibians since horses were to cowboys in the United states West. Once you're out in the country, you basically live and depart this life by your car, so be good to it. You'll be with it a lot too aid the roads are well kept nonetheless they're still not an interstate interstate system. Think of how driving is within Ireland and you'll get the picture. Price range more time than you think it'll decide to try get some where and be sure to pick-up some maps at the rental car business office.

Don't be surprised if you see lots of guys in official Jeep or Mercedes shirts hanging around, or vehicles with black-out tape all over all of them. Namibia is where many car companies test prototypes for heat and rough roads, and has some of the best all-terrain trails in the world to give SUVs a proper workout. See what I'm saying about cars and Namibia? They will just go together.

After checking out the downtown area Windhoek and stocking up on items at a local grocery store, I left for bed early to get a jump planning on heading out to the country and on traffic. I didn't want any individual around while I was learning to travel on the left. I was off to Sossusvlei in the South to see a real, honest-to-God desert. Taking B1 out of town, you'll see lots of hills and ravines, big chunks of rock the size of houses strewn here and there aid definitely a feast for the eyes. But the turn-off to C24 is where the real fun starts. Honestly this particular road could be the newest stage on the planet Rally Championships. It's a dirt path that makes the best wooden roller-coaster jealous of all its zips and zags. It runs through the Naukluft mountain range, whose terrain looks like a crumpled up piece of paper. There was even a particular hill steep enough (though just about 30ft height) that I couldn't get out of bed in 1st gear! I had to be able to reverse and try again with more of a running start. Fun driving a vehicle, but you're definitely ready for a rest when you get to solitaire.

When you visit Sossusvlei, be sure to head there as soon as you can in the morning for two reasons. First, because the sun hitting the sand sand hills at an acute angle makes for very dramatic and beautiful lighting. Second, cause you'll want to climb those sand hills and hike the vleis just before it gets scorching hot in the garden. Miss either of these and you'll really be disappointed.

Sossusvlei is just one of several vleis in the area. I took the particular desert ferry over to them in addition to saw Dead vlei, Sossusvlei and several smaller vleis. The vleis, by the way, are pans of dried filth and rock. There is so little rainfall and so much evaporation that it sucks all the moisture out of the ground until it finally is much more like fired ceramics or even bricks. Almost nothing can grow in them and they are mostly barren wasteland surrounded by towering (up to 1, 000ft) sand dunes. Very forbidding, very toxic, and very beautiful.

After a day within the desert and relaxing the night away with French travelers staying at precisely the same guest farm as I, it was the perfect time to move on to someplace cooler. Swakopmund may be a tourist town in Namibia designed for exactly the opposite reason Florida in addition to S. California are for Americans - it's cold there. At least it is compared to the scorching deserts all around it, and not only is it cold, it is. wet. A current of freezing normal water from Antarctica makes it's approach north along the coast of South Africa and Namibia. It finally heats a bit and rises up outside of Swakopmund, cooling the air around this making an air conditioner for the whole city. When the cool air hits the hot wasteland air blowing in, it makes prodigous amounts of fog. All this adds up to a massive array of land and sea everyday life, and makes Swakopmund not only a destination for its temperature, but also for it's ecology in addition to a booming adventure scene to explore and have fun in all the area offers.

For any great apres-adventure beer, head to the particular authentic German Brewhaus. Wurst of each and every shape and size, beer flowing down waterfalls into 5 liter glasses offered with a side of leiderhosen together with a polka band for every table! Okay, it might not be

German, but that is definitely the real deal. Come for the beverage, enjoy the food and love the live music provided by drunken over-landers.

Oh come on, you really want it all don't you? And I guess you want 5-star dinners with that, and private airplane rides over the most exciting parts of the country as well? Well you're within luck. You can have all of that if you want, and Etosha is the name of the game if it's time to Safari in Namibia.

Etosha is a monstrous salt-pan in the north of the country, with an even larger national park surrounding it. That it is well known for game viewing inside the dry winter, when animals appear in droves to the man-made watering slots. In the summer, it becomes a birders haven as the pan floods and 1000s of birds (including large flocks associated with flamingos) come to wade.

I presented myself a bit of a treat and stayed at at a luxury lodge just outside the park. Cell signal isn't good in the north so I wasn't able to ask for more specific directions as I acquired close. Torrential downpour made the particular roads thick with mud along with the Corolla was having some difficulties on the dirt when I finally observed the turn off for the lodge. ?nternet site was trying to communicate with some local residences who spoke no English and couldn't fathom what I was carrying out in the country in a 4x2, and VOLKS WAGEN minibus comes tearing down the road and even through the gateway, followed by a army vehicle. A huge old German in fatigues gets out, slowly starts smoking a cigarette and methodically - almost strategically - provides directions to the bewildered VW denizens, his help, and myself as well. "You're looking for Nauanaua? " he says as more of a suggestion than a question, using The Force like he's Darth Vader. "I work for Nauanaua... Let me get you there. Park behind typically the fence", he says, motioning to the hot and razor-wired fence he simply drove through. And just as Now i'm stepping into the car, happy to get free from the rain, "No wait! You are unable to park in there. There are

in there... KABOOM Lightning strike! holy crap I'm in Jurassic-freaking-Park!! After the terrified Germans and I get into the military car or truck, it's a leisurely ride uphill through waist-deep mud, often sideways, always with all differentials locked, fogged-over windshield and constant water dripping about us through the roof. We made smaller talk about whether we just got kidnapped by a Survivalist or not, and if we'd all be eaten by the elephants. On the other hand once at Nauanaua, all anxieties were put to rest. The lovely spouse of the old German in anantissements (together, they're the owners) made welcome us with open arms in addition to fruity drinks. Ahhh, what a method to turn a rough day totally around! Here's to Africa.

Once you have made it into Etosha, the world appears to open up a bit. There are long highways going out in all directions, and slow-motion traveling becomes the name of the game. Take your time, go slower and try to spot animals out in the space and wait for them to come nearer. Remember that the animals are in demand - if they're blocking your path on the road, wait for them to clear. Simply being patient will often get you better picture ops as well.

You can camp within the park, and I'd recommend that for maximum safari time. You will discover four camps with both hotels and even campgrounds, and all have illuminated watering holes for game viewing. The animals are most active during the night time, so this can be a great opportunity. You can also go on guided safari through the campements or any of the lodges surrounding Etosha, which can be a good option since they usually know the park and animals intimately.

After the big safari experience, it was once again to Windhoek for one yesterday before winging my way back to America. Now this is where getting a GPS UNIT with my car would've been very handy. I drove throughout the downtown area for over two and a half hours trying to find the rental car great deal. I had a detailed map of Windhoek and their address, but the two just never seemed to jive with the actuality of the streets. And up to this point uncovering someone who spoke decent English wasn't hard, but of course this time every organization I stopped at for instructions it was German, Afrikaans, or bust. Eventually I found it, they were all of the happy (surprised? ) to see i made it back in one piece, and also my shuttle to the hotel.

And exactly what a hotel it was! I wanted to pay my last night at The Heinitzburg, an ancient German-built castle perched on a slope high above the city (and the only Relais &amp; Chteaux hotel in the country), indulging in luxury after the solo-safari experience but alas, it was not to be. I had to "make due" with the Executive Suite at the Olive Grove instead. Simply wonderful lodging and staff - sure it had been a bit more pricey than the rest, yet every once in a while you have to splurge, correct? Especially on the last night of your Photography equipment adventure, and I hope you do the same.