Today I begin the self-drive safari through parts of Namibia. I arrived in Windhoek yesterday and checked into the Rivendell Hotel. I had time to explore the city and have dinner at a local restaurant, but I’m anxious to get on the road.
Sometimes it’s easy to forget where I am when I’m in hotels and restaurants. It still doesn’t seem real, but riding down the dirt road in the middle of a heard of elephants or a pride of lions or sitting at a waterhole across from a cheetah is pretty unmistakable.
This is what dreams are made of. It’s cold this morning, maybe below freezing, and I’m confused what time and date it is, but as I wait for the jeep to arrive, I’m filled with so much excitement and anticipation that it’s better than all of my Christmas Eves combined.
This is Namibia and I’m finally going on an African safari.
Bucket List Publications 
How exciting and I am so happy for you that you are fulfilling a dream you have had for a long time. Let the adventure begin 🙂
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Thank you! It has all been very surreal, but the best trip of my life already 🙂
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Fantastic ♥
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Woohoo ! Enjoy the jungle of life..
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Have fun. I’m looking forward to your posts about the trip.
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I went on a few safaris in Kenya and Tanzania and it was LIFE CHANGING!!!! Enjoy every moment…especially when it gets really quiet, no animals are around, and you are just one with nature.
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That was the best part of today… and maybe when the lion went to attack the springbok. 😉
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I wish you many great experiences and kiss the lions from me 🙂
Wish you will get your feelings foe exploring fulfilled there 😀
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No kissing the lions; I’d like to go back home to Athena 😉
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Okay, I understand that, but greetings at least 😉
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Have fun and I hope you will see the Big 5 🙂
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No buffalo in Namibia so no Big 5 for me on this trip, but it’s totally unbelievable. 🙂
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If you have a chance to get to the “Moonscape” mountains near Swakopmund, definitely worth a stop, it is absolutely breathtaking. Desert Tour also worth it 🙂
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We’re not going there on this trip but I love it so much here that I’ll be back for sure. I’ll keep this in mind 🙂
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Going to Namibia is on my to-do list since a looong time! I am looking forward reading more about your trip. Keep us updated! 🙂
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You should pick a date! It’s the best trip of my life. 🙂
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How exciting! Have a wonderful time! 🙂 Is Athena staying at home this time?
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Athena is at home, but I’m starting to think I could have brought her.
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Aww, well, hopefully you can do it again and take her with you when she’s older. Then she’ll really be able to take it all in and remember it. 🙂
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Have a sunny self-drive safari, Lesley! May the crazy happy lovin’-you gods rain down many more blessings such as these on your future journeys 😉
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They have been watching out for us today! I saw everything I dreamed of seeing and more. What an amazing adventure, my favorite to date. What’s your favorite destination so far?
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I don’t think I’ll ever be able to narrow it down to just one; a toss up, thus far, between Nepal, Mongolia, Laos & Bali. Then again, in another direction altogether, Paris beats all 😉
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Fantastic, looking forward to hearing about it !
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The most perfect place I think I’ve been to, if only for Windhoek lager. Namibia is the place I want to revisit most of all. Enjoy.
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Me too! I’m in love. I can’t wait to bring my family back and do more of the south. There’s so much to see and do that I could never do it all in one trip. What’s your favorite area?
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I stayed in a place called the Waterberg Plateau and nowhere I’ve been to has touched. It’s like an island in the middle of th savannah, surrounded by lightning storms and rumbles of antelopes.
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I hope you have a wonderful time. Although I’ve been lucky enough to travel in lots of Africa in the past and taken some amazing safaris, I still have Namibia on the bucket list places along with Botswana – can’t wait to read how the self drive goes…:)
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Which places have you visited in Africa? 🙂
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Honeymoon (the first time, 25 years ago) to Kenya and a trucking/camping trip through east Africa which was awesome – visiting Zimbabwe Zambia Malawi, Tanzania Kenya and Zanzibar.
More recently took our three under 5’s to S Africa when the youngest was 7 weeks. Explored all around Cape Town (amazing walking amongst penguins at a Bolders Beach, the wine region and took a safari on a lovely small reserve, perfect for kids. You would have fun with Athena. Still suspect the best is still to come for us in Namibia/Botswana… We decided not to visit Africa on our big adventure – gotta leave some exciting places to visit for the future! Looking forward to your account of Namibia:)
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Ps. Well you did ask!! 🙂
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Have an amazing trip – Namibia on my list – if anything close to Kenya or Zimbabwe you will love it…
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Watching you carefully. We’re going on safari in September!
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I know ZERO about self-drive safaris. I hope you’ll be educating us with links and photos and photos and links. Here are a couple I just found: http://www.safaridrive.com/index.htm http://bert-and-bin.smugmug.com/Travel/Sabbatical2011-2012Newsletter4/20148040_sCzBLk#!i=1590809479&k=qmPKzRL
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I’m not surprised you can forget where you are sometimes. You’ve been going pretty strong lately.
What? You arrived yesterday and no jet lag? This will be exciting. Can’t wait. 🙂
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Wow! Beautiful. Can’t wait to hear more about the adventure!
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Welcome to Southern Africa, once it’s in your blood you won’t be able to get it out.
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Welcome to Southern Africa. Once it’s in your blood you won’t get it out. Namibia is brilliant and so much more to explore. Enjoy the journey.
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Fantastic! Have a great time and post many photos.
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Lions, and cheetahs, and elephants, oh my… to paraphrase Dorothy. You are certainly not in Kansas, or California. 🙂 Have fun! 🙂 –Curt
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I haven’t been to Windhoek since 1993; I wager it’s changed quite a bit! Where are you going to safari? I highly recommend the Etosha Pan if you have time, and Swakopmund is far more than the place where Angelina Jolie had her baby.
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I went on safari two years ago through Namibia and Botswana, but on a tour. Very impressive that you are driving it. We had a wonderful day in Windhoek as we hooked up with a local cab driver who took us to all of his local haunts- we went to museum, his cousin’s bar (think aluminum siding with a light bulbs hanging from extensions cords), and to an amazing open air market with some of the loveliest people and kids (the most beautiful children) I have ever seen. Can’t wait to read about your exploration (your not going to the red sands, are you?)!
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So excited for you! Enjoy!
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I can imagine 🙂 I was in Masai Mara last year; Out of the world !
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Enjoy every moment! Rivendell is a great place to start your journey…..
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Thank you for those kind and nice things you’ve said about Namibia. This country is in my bucket list along with Tanzania and Kenya. Your writing is feeling me with excitement. What an amazing trek. Having fun :-D!!!
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