I haven’t done a flashback photo Friday for forever. And someone asked me the other day about whether Namibia was pretty safe. Of all the countries I’ve been to in Africa, Namibia is a place I wouldn’t hesitate to say an emphatic, unqualified YES and return to without a guide. As long as my husband has a map (because if I don’t have a navigator, well, it’s definitely not safe…for me…because I will likely get lost). Most commonly discussed safety issues in Namibia include running out of water, driving on the road at night, and the occasional ATM scam.
Oh, and snakes. The only time someone we were with saw a black mamba was in Uganda, so no worries. Heh.
Not only is Namibia visitor-friendly, its gorgeous and unlike anywhere I’ve ever been. I’ve already posted photos of the Skeleton Coast and the Caprivi Strip, but one of the biggest you-just-can’t-miss-it spots in Namibia is Deadvlei (the salt pan with the infamous dead trees) and Sossusvlei (the general area with the dunes). I think most people have seen photos of these iconic locations, but visiting them and hiking the sand dunes is really a ton of fun and one of the biggest reasons we headed to Namibia.
A word of serious advice–start early. It may seems so cool, but it gets very very hot when the sun comes up. Especially if you are planning to hike up any of the dunes. Which of course you should! The sand on one side of the dune, in the shade, will be freezing to the touch. The sand on the other side of the dune, in the sun, will be burning to the touch. And take water. Obviously. I think that goes without saying when sand dunes are involved, no?
The white salt pan (or ecru, perhaps), the rust colored sand, and the blue sky=perfect contrasts.
Have you been to Namibia? What did you think of Sossusvlei?
These photos look incredible, it’s a place I’ve heard so many good things about and would love to go one day!
Thanks Becky! Absolutely worth a trip in the country, I’d love to return to Namibia.