LOCAL Houston | The City Guide APRIL 2015 | Page 70

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DESTINATION

NAMIBIA
GERMAN-STYLE CASTLES, DESERT-ADAPTED LIONS AND GIANT SAND DUNES NAMED “BIG DADDY”?
FORGET WHAT YOU MIGHT KNOW OF SOUTHERN AFRICA, NAMIBIA IS A WORLD OF ITS OWN.

"BIG DADDY" DUNE IN SOSSUSVLEI

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F YOU’RE LOOKING FOR THE QUINTESSENTIAL SAFARI EXPERIENCE, YOU HAVE TO HEAD TO EAST OR SOUTH-CENTRAL AFRICA. COUNTRIES
LIKE KENYA, TANZANIA, ZAMBIA AND BOTSWANA ARE WHERE YOU’LL FIND THOSE SWEEPING, LUSH SAVANNAHS, AND SPY THOSE
LARGE, DIVERSE HERDS. BUT IN RECENT YEARS, WHILE VISITING THOSE COUNTRIES, I KEPT HEARING ABOUT A MAGICAL PLACE ALONG THE
CONTINENT’S SOUTHWEST COAST, WHERE INSTEAD OF WILDLIFE, THE MAIN ATTRACTION WAS NATURE ITSELF – THINK EPIC SAND
DUNES, PREHISTORIC TERRAINS AND A SHORELINE SO DRAMATIC AND TEMPERAMENTAL, IT’S KNOWN AS THE SKELETON COAST.

With the help of travel specialists ASIA TO AFRICA (see sidebar), I set out to explore
Namibia, an increasingly popular destination that’s drawing nature lovers, photographers and travelers with an adventurous spirit. Here are three favorite spots:
WINDHOEK: Though most visitors use Namibia’s capital as just a flight gateway, it’s
worth adding on a couple days to explore this unique, laidback city, where you’ll find
an interesting mix of German, British, South African influences, and a diverse population of Namibians from all over the country. (There aren’t many African cities where
you’ll still hear German spoken!) Your Asia to Africa specialist can set up a day tour
to the town center, where you’ll see the early-1900’s Ink Palace, beautiful Parliament
Gardens, gothic revival-style Lutheran cathedral and lots of German colonial touches.
Then take a drive around some of the historic residential neighborhoods, as well as
the townships, where you might be able to visit a home and chat with locals. STAY:
Hotel Heinitzburg (www.heinitzburg.com) ranks high for the sheer quirk factor – it’s in a

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faux-European castle on a hill, with the best views of the region and an extensive wine
cellar. The newer, boutique Olive Exclusive has a more modern style, with sleek
suites, lush grounds and a gourmet restaurant. www.theolive-namibia.com
SOSSUSVLEI: This region is why most people come to Namibia. Located in the southern part of the Namib Desert, Sossusvlei (which loosely translates to “dead-end
marsh”) is a vast salt and clay pan ringed by towering sand dunes. The landscape
here is the main attraction, and there is a dune suitable for every type of traveler: Dune
45’s interesting shape makes it a favorite of photographers and easier to climb, while
Big Daddy is the highest dune, and a popular one to trek up – and then run down.
Though not a dune, the ancient, dried-up oasis called Deadvlei is a must-see for its
surreal, stark landscape dotted with twisted trees. In addition to visiting the dunes, top
area activities include canyon walks, quad biking and stargazing. STAY: Wilderness
Safari’s Little Kulala, set in a private reserve at the gateway to the dune park, has 11

L O C A L

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