Deserts, oases and animals in Botswana & Namibia. A travelogue by Isabella Arnold
Namibia and Botswana - two countries that could hardly be more different, but complement each other perfectly. Botswana stands for water, wilderness and exciting animal encounters. Namibia, on the other hand, stands for desert, vastness and spectacular landscapes. Together they form an extraordinary safari ensemble that leaves nothing to be desired.
Our journey starts in the Kalahari Desert of Botswana, leads through the Okavango Delta with its various regions and camps, on to Namibia to the dunes of Sossusvlei and ends in a dream lodge not far from Windhoek.
We had breakfast with meerkats, experienced elephants up close, walked barefoot down the slope of the Big Daddy Dune and paddled through the void at sunset. It was a trip full of unforgettable encounters, extraordinary accommodation and goosebump moments under Africa's starry skies.
Salt, sand and meerkats in the Kalahari Desert in Botswana
We start in the Makgadikgadi salt pans in north-eastern Botswana, surrounded by the Kalahari Desert. The salt pans are the largest of their kind in the world. Jackals, ostriches, springbok and oryx roam the endless expanses and hundreds of flamingos gather here in the rainy season. San Camp is located on the edge of the salt pans and the silence and vastness are the central experience here. The cream-colored 1940s-style tents with antique furniture create a stylish safari romance. Despite the desert landscape, we don't have to do without luxury and comfort.
A real highlight are the meerkats, which are used to humans and climb curiously onto our heads. We go in search of clues with the San Bushmen and gain an insight into their millennia-old knowledge. Whether quad biking, riding safaris on proud Arabian horses or on foot with a guide - this is not about a classic safari with the "Big Five", but about the poetry of silence and light. In the evening, we gaze at a starry sky that can only be seen in a few places in the world. On top of that, we experience spectacular dinners in the middle of the salt pans and special activities such as sleep outs and stargazing.
Relaxing at the Gmundner Lodge
As a relaxing end to our trip - and above all as the perfect complement to the combination of Botswana and Namibia - Gmundner Lodge, just an hour or so from Windhoek, is exactly the right choice. The private reserve is a real paradise, especially for families.
In addition to game drives, where we spot giraffes, oryx and springbok, the lodge offers a variety of great activities: On a farm tour, we learn about the in-house "farm to table" concept, visit the lodge's gardens and animals and gain exciting insights into sustainable everyday life on site.
A highlight, especially for children: ceramic painting. We also createplates, cups and bowls and take home a very personal souvenir at the end. Rides on the lodge's own horses, which are free to roam the reserve during the day, are also a special experience. Those who prefer to take it easy can relax with a massage or simply enjoy the view from the pool. A paradisiacal place and for me the perfect place to end this impressive trip.
And then I head home with a heavy heart. The return flight is full of melancholy, memories, but also gratitude. I am so grateful for all the unique moments and impressions that I was able to gather on my round trip. This trip has not only inspired me in the here and now, but will stay with me for a long time.
