You don't need an alarm clock on a safari
"No one can resist the allure of Africa", as the British writer Rudyard Kipling recognized over 100 years ago.
In order to discover the secret of Africa, a twelve-strong LCC group set off from the gloomy, cold November weather in Germany to discover Namibia for themselves. Discover Airlines, which could not have been more aptly named, was the perfect partner.
The welcoming committee in Namibia was waiting for us and consisted of 25 degrees, a bright blue sky, warm rays of sunshine from the newly risen sun and the fantastic team of the new LCC DMC partner Journeys Namibia.
We quickly realized that the clocks tick differently in Africa. The journey is the reward, and so the 12 protagonists, spread over two minibuses, set off past the capital Windhoek and straight into the Namibian adventure. With our local guides Hermann and Gert, we had probably the best driver guides in Namibia on board. The more challenging the roads became, the better they got. Even a burst tire in the middle of nowhere couldn't stop us on our discovery tour: After all, we had Hermann and Gert.
First impressions of Namibia's diversity
The unbelievable size and vastness of Namibia seemed surreal at first. But with every day we spent in this fantastically beautiful country, we came to understand and love Namibia. If you want to discover this country crossover like we did, you have to be wide awake every second of the trip. Because you might miss something and find yourself in a completely different landscape.
Off the beaten track
In order to understand, discover and feel the beauty and diversity of the country, you have to be prepared to leave traditional paths and sometimes take less comfortable routes. Because off the beaten track awakens the explorer's heart. And there is much, much to discover in Namibia - trust me. Coupled with the unbelievable warmth and friendliness that was shown to us everywhere, we all quickly realized that we were on the right trip.
Accommodation with character
These emotions were reflected in the choice of accommodation made by Journeys Namibia. Every single lodge had its own unique selling point.Whether it was the rustic tree house at Hobatere Lodge in the middle of the wilderness, where "the lion king wakes everyone up with his roar", the breathtaking view from every single bungalow during our stay at Grootberg Lodge, the eponymous architectural style of the accommodation at Shipwreck Lodge on the Skeleton Coast or the classic safari tent at the beautiful Ondudi Lodge with its friendly staff - we felt very welcome everywhere.