Arrive in Windhoek

Trip Start Jul 09, 2008

Trip End Jul 30, 2008

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Where I stayed

Hilltop House Windhoek

(Windhoek hotels)

Flag of Namibia Windhoek, Namibia
Thursday, July 10, 2008

After a long flight with Air Namibia, we eventually touched down at Windhoek's Chief Hosea Kutako International Airport. From there we were met by our friendly driver John who drove us to The Hilltop House a 1960s alpine family house with stunning views over Klein Windhoek. It was still cold when we arrived reminding us of the range of temperatures to expect in Southern Africa at this time of year. As we were early our rooms were not quite ready so we sat by the pool and drank coffee making the most of the beautiful views despite the coolness of the morning.

Today would be about getting a full briefing on our route, vehicle and equipment. We were picked up after lunch and taken to Safari Drive's Botswana partner 'Sandy Acres'. There we were taken through the route by Saskia and Duane. I was pleased we had done our homework before the holiday as it made this part of the briefing much more straightforward

Pool at Hilltop House

. The equipment we would use was to be slightly more complicated and I had told the boys to make sure they listened to what was said, the last thing I wanted was to drive away oblivious of how to put up a tent or change a wheel. Seasoned campers we were not and it was important we all paid attention to what was being said. The first slight shock was the fact that the boys would be in a ground tent and not on top of the Land Rover as we would be. Visions of them being trampled by elephants or dragged out by a pride of lions started to form in my head. Was it safe? We were assured that elephants would tip-toe round them as they regarded a tent as they would any other solid object and as long as they didn't leave a leg out of the tent at night it would not be snacked upon by any passing carnivore. Not completely convinced I told myself that surely they would not send us out on our own with something that wasn't safe.

We ran through the equipment and I ticked off each item on a long list. How were we going to fit everything in the back of the Land Rover along with our luggage I wasn't too sure. The ground tent seemed particularly complicated and I was hoping that others had taken a bit more note than me on how it was to be erected. Andy was taken through the different driving settings on the Land Rover - high and low range and diff lock, he looked confident but I wasn't so sure

From our verandah across Kleine Windhoek

. Lastly it was a quick run through on how to use the satellite phone, although who would come to our aid in the middle of nowhere I wasn't sure as there was no friendly AA man to call if we ran into trouble.

At last we had finished and armed with our comprehensive trip book and accommodation vouchers, we waved goodbye to Duane and John and agreed to meet them back in the car park at Windhoek airport in three weeks. The adventure was about to begin.

That evening we ate at Joe's Beerhouse a local restaurant that had been recommended to us. It was really good and the game steaks were immense. George and I went for the 'Bushman Sosatie' a selection of Ostrich, Crocodile, Zebra, Kudu and Chicken, while Andy went for the Gemsbok and Sam the Kudu Steak. Apparently the day before the whole place had nearly burnt down when someone had put a little too much wood on one of the open fires! You can sit indoors or in one of the open lapas, we chose to sit inside as the evening was a little cool.