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My Best Overland Moments

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An overland tour in Southern Africa

An overland tour in Southern Africa can be the adventure of a lifetime. The sights and sounds of this wild continent penetrate you with such abundance and intensity that it is easy to feel overwhelmed. Still, among all of these memorable moments some stand out. These pictures and the memory of the feelings you had at the time will stick with you for ever. Here are the stories that you could tell your grandchildren.

Being Star Struck
Tribal Dancing
Gentle Giants

A night around the campfire in the Cedarberg or at the foot of Spitzkoppe is when you get to know your fellow travellers. A hearty meal and the warmth of the fire penetrate the hearts and souls of the people around it. You have a beer or a glass of wine together and next thing it feels like you've known that person forever. Some will just be Facebook friends; others might stick around for longer.

In Mid-Air

This might take some courage and cash, but it is one of the coolest things you will ever do. While Swakopmund is known for its adrenaline powered fun, there is now bigger kick than throwing yourself down a dune and that is throwing yourself out of a plane 3000 metres above the desert. Even though skydiving is incredibly safe, your hands will be sweaty as the tiny plane rattles to altitude. You don't get much time to think though; your tandem master looks at his altimeter, clips you on to his belly and suddenly you are hanging outside the plane with nothing but warm air underneath you.

Then you drop. You spread your arms and accelerate towards the ancient sand of the Namib Desert. The point when you hit zero gravity is one of the most mind-blowing sensations and then the chute opens. Suddenly everything is calm, but your heart is still racing. You look around and marvel at the wave-like pattern of rusty orange and black sand that continues seamlessly into the blue of the Atlantic Ocean.

The adrenaline stays in your system for a few hours to come and you just can't wipe that stupid grin out of your face. One more story for the campfire and images of beauty stuck in your head for ever. For ever ever? YES!

Ramping over Dunes

After hours in the bus you will be glad for this little workout. Sandboarding is not for lazy people. There are no lifts or rides to the top of the dune. The hike in snowboard boots to the top of the dune might get your lungs pumping, but the effort is worth it just for the view. While you recover from the hike you wax your board with furniture polish and psych yourself up for the steep ride down.

Your basic skills in snowboarding or surfing should ensure that you cut a fine figure in the desert sand. If you have no experience in board sports, there is a lie-down option. Lying on a piece of laminated wood you won't look quite as cool, but the fun is incredible nonetheless.
The adventurous can try to jump the wooden ramp. Your knees might be a bit shaky as you seem to be ramping into an abyss, but the sand is pretty soft. As an added bonus the tour operators can make even the most ridiculous fall over the ramp look stylish on film.

Being Star Struck

One of the most beautiful things about being in complete wilderness only reveals itself after sunset. If you grew up in a city the African night sky is going to have you awestruck. While you lie on your back and gaze into the universe shooting stars seem to be a dime a dozen. The stars are so bright, they are almost glaring compared to the pitch-black earth.

Tribal Dancing

The San Bushmen are one of the oldest cultures on this planet. The oldest traces of San culture date back more than 20 000 years. Forced into the arid landscapes of the Kalahari these fascinating people survive on hunting game and gathering roots. Watch this age old culture in action as the San perform a tribal dance around a roaring fire. The ceremony is moving and mesmerizing. As you watch the dancers move into a trance-like state you can't help but ask yourself whether this powerful and untamed energy still exists within you. Of course there is only one way to find out: Join in!

Gentle Giants

Elephants in South Lunangwa National Park, Zambia

Elephants are some of the most fascinating creatures out there and it's not just because of their size. Elephants are incredibly intelligent and social creatures. Botswana's Chobe National Park has the highest concentration of elephants in Africa. Possibly the best way to see these gentle giants is from the water. Boat cruises on the Chobe River give you great views of elephants playing, drinking and bathing in the water. As you float calmly down the river, drink in hand, you will be amazed by the numbers of these powerful mammals. The stunning African sunset is just a bonus.

Getting Wet

The highlight of Cape to Vic overland trips and a major hub for all travellers in Southern Africa are the mighty Victoria Falls. While a diversity of tour operators is now making a living of various adventure activities, the real star of this show is still the planet's largest sheet of falling water. Stand on of the many view points and let the spray smack you in the face. A special feature on the Zambian side is Devil's Pool, a naturally formed rock pool on the very edge of the falls. Bathe in the Zambezi and stare down the thundering abyss!

If you hit the falls at full moon also make sure to look out for the lunar rainbow that forms in the spray of Mosi-oa-Tunya.

Featured Lenses

More information and good sites to check out:

Cape Town to Victoria Falls Overland trip: Overland Tours give you the full-on African experience in a limited space of time and on a reasonable budget.
Swakopmund, Namibia and it's extreme sports: Formerly a beach resort for Namibian tourists exchanging the heat of Central Namibia for mild coastal climate, great fishing, German delicacies and the odd pint of Namibian brew, Swakopmund is developing in to a backpackers Mekka and attracts adrenaline junkies from around the globe.
Info on Spitzkoppe: Known as the "Matterhorn of Namibia", this isolated granite peak called Spitzkoppe rises 700m above the surrounding land. In the mostly flat an arid Damaraland.
Sandboarding in Namibia: If you enjoy snowboarding, surfing and the like you should give this a try. Slap some polish on to an old snowboard and take the steep drop down the dune.
The San Bushmen of the Kalahari: A selection of research on the San Bushmen
The amazing Elephant Hide in South Luangwa National Park: A very special activity offered at Shenton Safaris are sleep-outs up the elephant hide.
The great 'Smoke that thunders' - Victoria Falls: Some great information on Victoria Falls, it's surrounds and what the area has to offer. The sound of the falls and the Feeling of the spray is unrivalled.
Lion Walk of Victoria Falls: Go on a walk in the wild with lions. That is right! The lions walk with you and show you what nature is all about. A very special experience.
Africa Overland: The many different Overland trips that are out just waiting to be explored!
Kirstenbosch Summer Concerts: Whether your overland trip ends or starts in Cape Town, make sure you go and see a Kirstenbosch Summer Concert. One of the most spectacular open air venues in the world. Take a picnic baskets and a bottle of wine with and enjoy some of the best local entertainment around.
Travel through Botswana: Travel 2 Botswana has a wealth of information on all that is Botswana. They can plan your trip for you from start to finish. From full luxury to camping safari sand everything in between.
Breede River Rafting - Adrenalin rush: Another great Overland activity. White water rafting on the Breede River in South Africa is a ton of fun and a serious adrenalin rush!
Elefant Tours: Go on an ultimate African Safari tour with Elefant Tours and feel like you are the only few people on Earth. The African bush is a humbling, awe-inspiring, unforgettable and beautiful experience.
Tanzania Safaris: Tanzania seems to really be one of the ultimate African destinations. You can hike up the highest free standing mountain in the world or rather lie on endless white beaches surrounded by paradise. Travel and accommodation is cheap and the locals are very friendly. A safe destination with so much to see.
Tanzania Safaris and Tours: Tanzania has always been a fascination of mine. The idealic settings, friendly people and relatively low travel costs make it a perfect holiday destination. The beaches are of brilliant white sand and the huge plains that swarm with animals and a spectical to behold.

Some very useful overland guides and related reading

Tell me about your last overland adventure, or where you would love to go, or just say hi

Reply

crstnblue Oct 29, 2011 @ 12:45 pm | delete

Nice lens.
Last travel was to Botswana and would like to go again sometime

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TravelRod Nov 7, 2011 @ 2:55 am | delete

Botswana has to be one of my favourite places in the world. Such a natural and untouched beauty. Thank you for your kind words.Hope you get to go again very soon :)

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Robert Oct 18, 2011 @ 3:06 am | delete

Namibia has some of the most beautiful and desolate roads in the worlds. Overlanding from Cape Town to Vic Falls will give you a great impression of the open spaces of Namibia - Sossusvlei and Etosha included. Do it!

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Safari Simon Oct 17, 2011 @ 5:20 am | delete

Thanks for the article this has just encouraged me to book a overland trip and go explore africa.