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Swakopmund Travel Blogs

Background: South Africa occupied the German colony of South-West Africa during World War I and administered it as a mandate until after World War II, when it annexed the territory. In 1966 the Marxist South-West Africa People's Organization (SWAPO) guerrilla group launched a war of independence for the area that was soon named Namibia, but it was not until 1988 that South Africa agreed to end its administration in accordance with a UN peace plan for the entire region. Namibia won its independence in 1990 and has been governed by SWAPO since. Hifikepunye POHAMBA was elected president in November 2004 in a landslide victory replacing Sam NUJOMA who led the country during its first 14 years of self rule.

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By The Steiners
December 26th 2009

Namibia Day 4: Atlantic Ocean from Africa Africa » Namibia » Swakopmund

Courtyard at Villa Margherita

Looks about the same except the sun sets on it from this side. We didn't really do any of the things we had planned to do today. We attempted to do them, including driving out to the Quad Bike stop just north of Walvis Bay, but Jennifer thought it was too touristy and there were definitely a ton of people and I was never all that hot on it so we took off. All of the tours are guided, which is probably a good idea for safety's sake but takes some of the fun out of it. The locals seem to [View Full Entry]

By chimelleinoz
October 23rd 2009

Road trip through Namibia Africa » Namibia » Swakopmund

on the road

2nd October - 14th October Hilux All-terrain 4 x 4 - check Full tank of petrol - check Road map of Namibia - check Tents, sleeping bags, pots, pans and all camping accoutrements - check 2 cool travel mates to share the laughs and costs - check Evangelical Born Again Christian guide.….hang on a second……. After a fruitless couple of days in Botswana trying to organize a car hire that would take us all the way to the west coast of Namibia, we found a local option in the form or a 4x4 hire with all equipment - the only catch [View Full Entry]

By TraceyB
October 5th 2009

I love Namibia! Africa » Namibia » Swakopmund

Hi everyone So I think last time I left you I was in Rundu, Namibia. Well the amazing times have been getting better and better since then! We left Rundu....early in the morning once again and drove to Etosha national park. The park has 3 campsites in it, one on each side and one in the middle so the plan was to stay at all three and drive through the park in BOB (Bright Orange Bus) our very old and sad bus/truck that is no built for comfort. The campsites in the park are really good....hot showers, flushing toilets, pools and [View Full Entry]

By timandsue
September 20th 2009

The Slide Africa » Namibia » Swakopmund

A nice relaxing trip to the desert

Adrenaline Top-Up Not content with throwing ourselves out of a perfectly servicable airplane we've met up with our travel group to start our overland trip up to Etosha, though Botswana to Vic Falls, who are a really nice bunch. Before that though, there's a chance for us to take a trip out to the desert for a spot of sandboarding, which of course has to be done, adrenaline junkies that we've now become. Sue decides to go for the 'lie-down' option whereas Tim's determined to find out how sand compares to powder snow on a stand-up. The dune in question is [View Full Entry]

By timandsue
September 19th 2009

The Skydive Africa » Namibia » Swakopmund

Getting ready

Don't Try This At Home First of all, apologies to the parents for not telling you beforehand - we're sure that you appreciate that we were only concerned about how much you would worry... There comes a point in everyone's life where they find themselves in a situation and ask themselves 'At what point exactly did I convince myself that this would be a good idea?' We can now tell you that when you're crammed into a light aircraft making a steep climb to 10,000 feet in a jumpsuit clipped to someone you've never met before (who thankfully knew exactly what [View Full Entry]

By Siggers
September 8th 2009

Sand, Sand And More Sand Africa » Namibia » Swakopmund

Cheers!

Day 37 - Swakopmund - 4/9/09 Woke up with added excitement this morning as Pascal, Danielle, Cat and Duncan were getting into Swakopmund this morning. Wondered over to the Swakop Lodge, where they were staying, at 10 and was greeted in reception by a Duncan sized hug. We all chatted, told our stories and what we had been up to since we departed company. We all went into the Far Out Booking Office, which was attached to the Swakop Lodge to see what extreme activities were available to do. In the end we booked some sand boarding, it was about midday [View Full Entry]

By Siggers
September 3rd 2009

A Little Bit Of Germany In Africa Africa » Namibia » Swakopmund

German Sign 1

Day 34 - Windhoek (Namibia) - 1/9/09 Arrived in Windhoek in the early afternoon; making my way outside the terminal to the airport shuttle bus. Like most other buses I've tried to use since I've been here in Africa it wasn’t leaving until it was full. The airport shuttle cost $150NB against the taxi which would cost $280NB, a local lady came out of the airport building; she started rooting around in her handbag looking for a business card for a taxi; I just sat there and watched here waiting for the shuttle bus to fill up. She couldn’t find this [View Full Entry]

By AdamandLouise
September 1st 2009

Windhoek to Swakopmund Africa » Namibia » Swakopmund

Heathrow Airport

We have arrived! Amazingly they let us on with all our luggage with no extra baggage charge, I think Adam gave the man a ‘special’ smile. First night we spent in Windhoek, the capital of Nambia. It was a strange place…. Dusty barren streets and then a shopping mall that could be in America. Had to get shuttles everywhere at night not safe to walk. Spent the night at Joes beer house, a funky place with outdoor and indoor seating with African meet German décor. It was a carnivores heaven, Adam had a kebab of springbok, ostrich, crocodile and kudo! [View Full Entry]

By SmithyWorldWide
August 16th 2009

Seals, sand, sky and shipwrecks Africa » Namibia » Swakopmund

Photo 1

Leaving Etosha behind, we visit a local village belonging to the Himba tribe, a striking group of people who cover themselves in red pigmentation made from ochre. As this is our third village visit, I’m a little reluctant to go, and the experience mirrors those of previous visits, although as ever the children are a constant source of entertainment - particularly one youngster who insists on formally shaking everyone’s hand. At least this time the proceeds go towards a local orphanage, so the commercialism isn’t quite as obvious. We make an early morning visit to the Cape [View Full Entry]

By afkeopreis
August 15th 2009

Leve het nijlpaard Africa » Namibia » Swakopmund

zambia: Marieke en ik aan de Zambezi

Hey allemaal, Inmiddels aangekomen in het plaatsje Swakopmund in Namibie en voor mijn gevoel weer helemaal in de westerse wereld, dus ook weer tijd voor internet! Ik zag dat ik m'n vorige blog geeindigd was in Lusaka en vanaf daar zijn we dus naar de Victoria Falls gereden. Heel spectaculair om daar te staan, zeg! Niet normaal hoe mooi, wat een watergeweld komt daar naar beneden zetten! En een hoop regenbogen in het water en in het park eromheen veel brutale bavianen. Verder is het de duurste plek op aarde waar ik tot nu toe ben geweest en dan heb ik [View Full Entry]

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