Leaves & temperatures are falling🍂

It’s the perfect time to plan your next adventure!

Sunshine one minute, freezing cold the next! Figuring out what to wear is all part of the Autumn fun isn’t it??

The inevitable shortening days and fading light hit me quite hard, and it helps a lot if I have some heat and light to look forward to (more on that later). It’s no coincidence that my thoughts have turned to Active Safaris where outdoor pursuits are the highlight, and to Namibia where the skies are huge and blue and bright almost all year round!

This month I’m also writing about the usual Safari FAQ and as always some very special offers, so

please read on for more!

📸 As usual all photos - good, bad and fuzzy - are my own unless otherwise credited.

Active safaris - wildlife and exercise

Getting out of the vehicle adds an entirely new dimension to a safari. Whether it’s a gentle morning bush walk , or an adventurous 3 night canoe trip down the Zambezi camping on sand islands in the river, or horse riding through the wilds of the Okavango Delta, there is something active to do in virtually every safari destination – here are my ideas for the best!

Walking – let’s start slow!

It’s possible to walk almost everywhere, and it’s a good way to work the kinks out after a bumpy game drive.  During a walk your guide will tell you about the plants and their traditional medicinal uses, as well as looking for interesting insects and identifying different types of poo!  A bush walk is rarely strenuous, they are usually a couple of hours long over gentle terrain, and are taken in the morning to escape the heat of the day. You will need to wear boots or trainers and a hat, and carry water. Game tends to be more skittish than when encountered in a vehicle so you won’t get as close and at most camps children usually need to be 12yrs+. 

For those looking to really immerse themselves in the wild longer walking trails are an option in many countries. In Zambia you can take longer 3 or 4 day walking trails between bush camps in the South or North Luangwa, whilst your luggage is transported for you, leaving you free to enjoy the serenity of the bush.  In Kenya 3 to 7 night walking trails are supported by Maasai guides with camels to transport the luggage. This is a wonderful adventure for active families and here children from 4 upwards are welcome!

Horse Riding

Sadly I’m allergic to horses which is very annoying as I would love to take a riding safari! There are brilliant operators in many countries, as passionate about the welfare of their horses as they are about wildlife.  Offbeat are a specialist riding safari operator based in Kenya, and previous clients have raved about the quality of their safaris. In Botswana you can ride through the channels of the Okavango Delta or across the dunes and beaches of Mozambiques stunning coast.  There are also superb riding operators in Zambia, Namibia and South Africa so if horses are your thing get in touch!

Canoeing

Hmm, I’m really not sure how ‘active’ we can call a canoeing safari as you usually travel downstream with the flow of the river and paddling is light but it’s a wonderful way to see wildlife from a different angle.  I’ve paddled down stretches of the Zambezi twice, with guides taking care of security, camp set up and cooking, and I absolutely loved it.  You can also experience shorter half day canoeing safaris with many camps in Zambia’s Lower Zambezi National Park

 You’re also able to get out in canoes on Lake Manyara, go offshore sea kayaking in Namibia and Cape Town, and on Lake Malawi.

That smouldering pile of elephant dung is a very effective mosquito deterrent!

Cycling

Getting out to see wildlife on a bike is a lot of fun, and Kenya has lots of options, from riding around giraffes and plumes of steam in Hells Gate NP to guided rides on e-bikes with Wildrides Kenya on Loisaba Conservacy.  In Tanzania active safari specialist Wayo Africa have mountain bike rides around Mto Wa Mbu which take you through banana plantations and local villages before heading to the lovely Lake Manyara Green Camp – a personal fave.

For the truly hardcore cyclist there’s the Migration Gravel Race, a 650Km 4 day stage race across the Masai Mara - not for the fainthearted!

A slightly younger me on my way around Lake Naivasha in Kenya.

📷 Photo Credit: Sean Fleming

So many other activities can be incorporated into a safari - running with the Masai, sandboarding on the dunes in Namibia, Scuba Diving and Kite Surfing off the East African coast. So it’s easy to incorporate a bit of exercise into your trip - unless you just don’t want to - and that’s fine by me too 😉

Destination Focus - Namibia

Wow, where to start with Namibia?!  It’s like a geography lesson on steroids; dunes, canyons, desert, mountains, salt pans, swamps…. 

It’s a vast country stretching down Africa’s Atlantic West coast.  Angola lies to the North, with Botswana to the East and South Africa at its South.  Predominantly desert, Namibia is best known for its vast sand and rock landscapes, but it holds some surprises beyond it’s arid reputation.  It also boasts unique wildlife and a rich cultural heritage so it’s an ideal destination for those seeking unspoiled wilderness, unique wildlife encounters, and a sense of solitude. Its dramatic landscapes and vibrant cultures make it a compelling destination for adventure travellers, families, photographers, and those interested in conservation.

Namibia’s Highlights

Namibia is famous for several areas, each with a distinct character, which if time allows, should be included in a Namibia holiday. Here they are in no particular order!

Swakopmund: Namibia’s activity capital and main coastal town is obviously influenced by it’s past as a German colony! You’ll find plenty of beer and bakeries, and Germanic architecture, as well as a huge range of outdoor pursuits such as Quadbiking, dune boarding, sea kayaking, catamaran cruises and guided tours through the surrounding wilderness learning the secrets of the desert.

Namib Desert: Home to the iconic Sossusvlei dunes, which are among the highest in the world and turn a striking orange at sunrise and sunset. While staying in this area it’s worth getting up early to catch the best light as the sun rises over the dunes and before it gets too hot. Dead Vlei is nearby where you can take the iconic dead tree photo!

Skeleton Coast: A remote and hauntingly beautiful stretch of coastline known for shipwrecks, foggy shores, and dramatic landscapes.

Etosha National Park: One of Africa’s premier wildlife reserves, famous for its salt pan and abundant wildlife, including elephants, lions, rhinos, and giraffes.

Damaraland: A region known for its rugged, rocky terrain, ancient rock art, and rare desert-adapted elephants and rhinos.

The Caprivi Strip: Forming the border between Namibia and Angola this lush area is a complete contrast to the arid areas of the country, it has one of the highest densities of Elephants anywhere on the continent.

Fish River Canyon: Reputedly the second largest river canyon in the world, after the Grand Canyon, the scale of it is huge! 

Why I ❤️ Namibia

• Incredibly easy to explore by self-drive

• Wide open space & so much of it

• Lots of accommodation options from easy camping to ultra-luxe

• Budget friendly

• All year round destination

Who is Namibia good for?

For adventurous couples and families on a budget Namibia is a really good option, as it’s ideal for a self-drive adventure, and as the Namib Dollar is pegged to the South African Rand it can be very wallet friendly if you book far enough ahead to snap up the best well-priced accommodation. 

Namibia also boasts some stunning luxury properties in really magical remote locations, some of which are favourites with our royal family so if its good enough for them….

 What it’s not great for is beach lovers as despite it’s huge coastline the Atlantic is COLD and better suited for adventure rather than basking.

 

When to travel to Namibia

Namibia can be visited at any time of year although the Peak Season runs from May to October.  During this time it’s dry and cooler.  Between November to April it’s Summer, so hotter and with some rain, however this is still a great time to visit as the deserts turn green and flowers spread over the dunes.

How to travel

Getting there:  There are no direct flights to Windhoek, however it’s very easily accessed via Europe with carriers such as Lufthansa or via Johannesburg or Cape Town.

Getting around: Namibia is a very easy and safe country to self drive in with well established circuits taking in the countriy’s highlights. Travellers can either be entirely self sufficient, self catering and sleeping in a roof tent on the vehicle, or stay in lodges which range from simple right through to 5* luxury, it’s easy to mix and match a variety of different options. I have a great special offer - keep reading!

Although the driving is easy distances by road are long and Flying Safaris are another option for those with more to spend and less time.  A series of short flights will whisk you between Namibia’s hotspots and give you more time to relax at your destination.

Kudu Bulls in Etosha National Park

Itinerary ideas

13 or 14 nights Self Drive:

 This is such a great adventure for families or couples  

 Starting with an overnight stay in the capital Windhoek you’ll have time to relax after your flight before setting off for the NamibRand Nature Reserve where you’ll stay for 2 or 3 nights exploring the dunes and vleis of this area.  Then you’ll head to Swakopmund, for 2 nights of fun on the coast, sea kayaking, quad biking, dune boarding and catamaran cruises to see the seal colonies are popular activities. 

Then you’ll take to the road again and head for Twyfelfontein in Southern Damaraland where you can visit Namibia’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site – ancient rock art of over 5000 individual figures.  The area is also home to amazing geological formations The Organ Pipes, Brandenberg Mountain, and the rocky outcrops of Spitzkoppe.

Next up is Etosha, Namibia’s famous National Park based around a huge central salt pan. Wildlife here is plentiful and one of the best places in Africa to see black and white rhino.  It’s easy to drive yourself, but I recommend staying for 3 nights in lodges where you can take guided game drives, you’ll learn a lot more about the area and wildlife, and take a break from driving yourself!

Finally you’ll head south, stopping over for 2 nights at the Okonjima Nature Reserve, base of the Africat Foundation to meet the cheetah and leopard, before returning to Windhoek for your flight home.

10 night Flying Safari

A flying safari is a great way to pack in all of Namibia’s highlights, as well as adding on a visit to the Skeleton Coast where you can stay in a fabulous lodge and spend time exploring this area.

Add on the Okavango!

Air Botswana now fly direct from Windhoek to Maun so now it’s easy to combine a Namibia safari with a trip to Botswana’s Okavango Delta - what’s not to love about that?!

Q&A - What happens on a day on safari?

Safari days follow the timetable of the wildlife, so usually run as follows:

Pre-dawn, you’ll get a wake up call and possibly some tea or coffee delivered to your tent.

Meet your guide at the mess tent for more hot drinks and a snack or light breakfast before boarding your vehicle and heading out. It pays to be early as it’s cool (or even cold!) and predators are still active. Almost all the camps I use take around 6 passengers per vehicle so you will be sharing with other guests, unless you’re a group of 6 or you’ve booked a private vehicle.

Your guide (and tracker if you have one) will literally read the road - the Bush Telegram - to see what tracks are around and interpret them to find out what’s happened overnight. The early vehicles get to see the road before tyre tracks obliterate the news!

A morning drive lasts from before sunrise through to about 10am, depending on what you see. Most will break for a coffee halfway through the morning and this is your chance to have a pee behind a convenient bush once your guide has checked the area for safety.

On returning to camp you’ll have the chance to freshen up before brunch or lunch.

You then have the early afternoon to relax - catch up on some zzz’s, laze around the pool, edit your photos.

At about 3pm you’ll be summoned for Afternoon Tea - yep, more food - before jumping into your vehicle at 4pm for your afternoon/evening drive.

Afternoon drives are when the animals start to stir as the temperature drops, and if you’ve found predators earlier in the day you might return to find them becoming active.

At sunset you’ll stop somewhere lovely for a safari essential - a Sundowner and some light snacks - before heading back to camp in the dark using a spotlight to catch sight of nocturnal animals.

Back in camp you’ll have a delicious dinner and then have the chance to sit around the campfire swapping tales with your fellow travellers before getting an early night ready to do it all again tomorrow!!

There are slight variations on this theme. Some camps offer all day game drives taking a picnic lunch, others will cook you a fab bush breakfast served up under the shade of a tree. Others will offer you the opportunity to take a morning walking safari, or maybe a short guided walk around camp in the afternoon and most camps will do their utmost to accommodate any special wishes that you might have.

September Safari Specials!

My feature offer - Namibia Self Drive low season special!!

Windhoek - NamibRand Nature Reserve - Swakopmund - Twyfelfontein - Etosha Heights Private Reserve - Okonjima Nature Reserve.
14 Days / 13 Nights
For travel in November: £9,280 for 2 people inc. 4 x 4 vehicle, 4 & 5* accommodation, Sossusvlei expedition & lots more - contact me for full details!

Zambia – South Luangwa Valley - Stay for 3 nights pay for just 2 at the gorgeous Sungani Lodge

Mozambique - this Autumn 2 stay for the price of 1 at Azura Benguerra between 25 Nov – 20 Dec 2024.  A bargain for luxury lovers!

Zanzibar - Pongwe Beach Hotel – Stay 5 pay 4, add a lovely beach stay after your safari for less. You already know that Pongwe is a favourite of mine 😉

Kenya and Tanzania - free flights with Asilia. I’ve featured this before but it bears repeating. If you stay for 7 nights at any combination of Asilia Camps in Kenya and Tanzania your internal flights and all transfers are included FREE. This saving really adds up so please call for more info.

As usual Ts&Cs and some date restrictions apply.

Share the love!

Here’s lovely Lucy J, looking very pleased with her thank you gift for referring a friend to me! She hid the chocolates because she didn’t want her husband to know about them.

I’m really proud that my business continues to grow thanks to your recommendations and referrals, it means the world to me, so please share this with friends or family who need a safari or an East Africa beach holiday, and don’t forget that if you refer anyone to me and they book I’ll send you a lovely hamper as a thank you.

For regular(ish) doses of inspiration please follow me on Instagram @safari_lucie, or like my facebook page Lucie Thaxter Safaris.

Just one more thing… Out of Office is going ON!

I mentioned at the top that I’m looking forward to some heat and light - I’m heading off on an actual holiday for a couple of weeks!

We’re going to Zambia to celebrate my Safari Sidekick’s 60th Birthday, first to the Lower Zambezi where we’ll attempt to catch a Tiger Fish (no chance…), before heading back up to our happy place in the South Luangwa, Flatdogs Camp, where i celebrated my last BIG B’day.

I’ll be checking my email occasionally but might be a bit more relaxed about it than normal. I’ll be back at my desk on the 7th October ready to plan your next adventure!

What’s coming up in October’s blog?

• Destination South Africa

• Hyenas - why you should love them!

• Safari Q&A - answering your FAQ on Tech and Connectivity on safari

• Special Offers and more…

Please don’t forget that I write this for you, so if there is anything you’d like to see more or less of please let me know!!

That’s it for now, thank you for reading and till next time - Safari njema!