Discovering the joys of camping in Namibia (page 9 of 30)

Just after noon, we arrive at the entrance of the property and follow the 6 km track to the Rostock Ritz Lodge.



The campsites are actually 6 kilometers away—we practically have to go back to the entrance of the property. When we arrive, we’re alone, and the place is peaceful. The problem is that it’s too early, and the sites haven’t been cleaned yet. If we’d known, we would’ve stayed at the Lodge to take a walk, but we were too lazy to go back up. So we wait a good hour; luckily, there’s a platform where we can stay, and we take the opportunity to have lunch.





We still have a good afternoon to take the time to do some laundry. But first, to get hot water, we need to light the donkey boiler. And to light it, we need wood... but the lodge had run out. So my husband went off to find whatever he could around since we don’t have any—we use charcoal for the braai.





And there you go—20 minutes later, the water’s hot. We take the opportunity to have a nice shower and get to the laundry. Not really what we’re used to... Who said this was a vacation? 😕 We hang the laundry up everywhere—luckily, the sun’s out today. That’s when “Discovering the joys of camping” really hits home!



Next to us, three young French guys set up—they’re happy because the water’s still nice and hot. For dinner, guacamole, game kebabs with warm bread, and for dessert, it’s become a habit: fruit (apples, pineapple, bananas) cooked in the embers.







Just after midnight, a group of Italians with two cars settles in, thinking they’re all alone in the world, at the fourth campsite. Ah, camping... 🏴‍☠️

The rest here

And if we have doubts, we just need to look at some more photos from Carmen’s travel journal to get re-energized 😉 !!

I’d be surprised if you got the same colors as we did at TTT.😛 Storms during the southern winter are pretty rare. But with a beautiful blue sky, the colors are even better.🙂

Just be careful—don’t expect a tough hike at TTT. On Days 1 and 3, you’ll mostly be taking a walk through the dunes. In short, TTT is easy but absolutely stunning.

Carmen

Originally, are the fruits cooked in embers a local specialty?

I’d be surprised if you got the same colors as we did at TTT. Storms in the southern winter are pretty rare.

Well... I’ll just slap on a polarizing filter then 😛

I don’t know, but we found it really great to eat a warm dessert :)

If we have doubts, just looking at some photos from Carmen’s travel journal is enough to boost our spirits again 😉 !!

I’d be surprised if you got the same colors as we did at TTT.😛 Storms in the southern winter are pretty rare. But with a clear blue sky, the colors are even better.🙂

Just a heads-up—don’t expect a tough hike at TTT. On Days 1 and 3, you’ll mostly be strolling through the dunes. In short, TTT is easy but absolutely stunning.

Carmen

Actually, I’d love to spend several days wandering around NamibRand, but the cold—evenings, nights, and mornings—puts me off more than the lack of comfort 😉. What’s the best season to go? Without extreme daytime temperatures, knowing we’ll struggle to visit Namibia outside of August .

What’s the best season to go?

For me, April–May ;)

June–August is cold, September and October start to get hot but the vegetation is "burnt out," and November–March is very hot with the rainy season... which we hope for!

For your usual vacation periods, do you prefer to be frozen or soaked? 😮 😏

The first part freezes solid, and the thawing, where it gets soaked, is for the second holiday

What’s the best season to go?

For me, April–May 😉

June–August is cold, September and October start getting hot but the vegetation is "burnt", November–March is very hot and it’s the rainy season... which we hope for!

Thanks Jean François, I’ll note April–May then 🙂

For your usual vacation periods, do you prefer being frozen or soaked? 😮 😏

Neither! Jean François said April–May... a May getaway is doable 😎 Otherwise, we’ll wait for retirement 🤪. And don’t be cheeky—I’ll have a good laugh next year when you tell me you were freezing. By the way, does Laetitia know? 😇

The first part freezes, and when it thaws, it gets soggy—that’s for the second holiday😏

Whoa, I didn’t quite get all that, Régis 😕. Break it down for me, you know... I’m blonde 😏.

By the way, does Laetitia know?

At first, I kept it simple. I offered them 2 hours of hot-air ballooning or 3 days/2 nights for the TTT, making them drool over Carmen’s travel journal! A split second later, the choice was unanimous (except for our cocker spaniel Texas, too silly to raise a paw😏), and then I asked if they minded it being a bit chilly at that time of year! Everyone said OK without thinking twice 😮. They should pay more attention to trip planning, right??? And now, it’s booked with a deposit paid to Namvic 😛. Too late to back out 😉! I can tell we’re gonna have a blast...

Oh, wow! You're a clever one—you always manage to get what you want, even if you suffer the consequences for months afterward 😏😏 By the way! I thought you’d booked with Tourmaline—why the switch to Namvic?

By the way! I thought you had booked with Tourmaline, why did you choose Namvic?

I found both agencies really professional and responsive with lots of relevant advice. The choice came down to the 4x4 budget—more competitive during peak season with Namvic since they have their own fleet, unlike Tourmaline, which goes through a middleman, Asco. The one gripe I’d have with Asco is that they nearly double their prices during peak season. But that’s the case with many rental companies in the US and probably elsewhere too... 😕

Yes, Asco is pricier, but we had no complaints—the car was spotless with 4 brand-new tires. On the way back, they didn’t even walk around the vehicle or check if any equipment was missing 😎.

😏 I see you're referring to another travel journal 😉... By the way, since then, I've been wondering how to arrive with an empty tank, with a dual tank where you don't know exactly how much is left and so few gas stations 🤪. Oh well, we'll figure it out... Gotta break out the calculator!

So if I get this right, you climb the dune backwards! 😏

All done, then? 😉😉

Grand Pico is a volcano on Fogo Island in Cape Verde. The climb is really awesome... especially the descent 😉 If you're interested, here's the link to my travel journal: voyageforum.com/...st=8641822;a=8641822

Oh great, now I’ve got even more travel ideas 🤪😎 Thanks Isabelle, I’ll go read it 🙂

Okay, my joke was a bit lame and totally flopped. Sorry!

Hi Guillaume,

The criticism I could make about Asco is that they almost double their prices during peak season. But that’s the case with many rental companies in the US and probably in many other countries too... 😕

Yes, it’s a big issue. But we had the chance to see different cars during our three trips to Namibia, and some really aren’t worth it. In short, price is one thing, quality is another. Still, I’m not specifically recommending Namvic, even though I’ve seen their Hilux trucks.

Asco was great for service, and especially, the wheels were top-notch. Super profile, real 4x4 tires. No punctures to report in Namibia over a total of seven weeks of travel. And yet, with the Richtersveld and some tracks in Fish River, it wasn’t a given. A puncture can also be bad luck—a badly placed, sharp rock... But when some people get multiple punctures during their trip...🤪

At the time, I kept it simple. I offered them 2 hours of hot-air ballooning or 3 days/2 nights for the TTT, making them drool over Carmen’s travel journal !

You could also show them Jean-François and Jacques’ (Blancond) TTT photos. They’re stunning. After reading their travel journals, I knew the TTT was for us.🙂

Carmen