Namibia is a large country, situated in the south west of the African continent. At the moment it has only about 2.3 million inhabitants. The population speaks Afrikaans, English and fairly common, especially in big cities, German. Namibia gained its independence only in 1990. Previously, over the centuries it was, among others, a German colony. Besides, in the cities of these influences can be seen to this day in the architecture, cuisine, industry or trade.

Arriving in the capital, Windhoek, will feel like a typical airport of this part of the world. A small movement, the relatively modest size of the terminal and the queue to check in. After arranging all the not too cumbersome formalities in the arrivals hall, we are welcomed first with the customs characteristic of Africa. Such as we tourists imagine – few women in colorful costumes stand out against the white and black men, the vast majority (not counting services operating airports) dressed in pants of various shades of green and brown, loose shirts and khaki tall, strong boots with solid soles . The faces of many of them covered by a dozen days’ growth of beard, essential are also tinted glasses and hats on their heads. Guides waiting for the group coming from different parts of the world line up the excitement and adventure. In contrast to guests traveling for similar purposes, but interested in exploring Namibia without sacrificing the high comfort awaits the elegantly and comfortably furnished lobby of the airport, the representative operators of luxury tourism.

I’m staying pleasantly greeted at the entrance of the arrivals hall by a smiling, dark-skinned lady and escorted to a private VIP Lounge. It is separated from the wide hall by a glass door. From behind a transparent wall, locked in a comfortable air-conditioned environment, captures envious glances from passers-by. Sam and I look longingly at the tough guys in hats. I must admit that with an undisguised hint of jealousy their eyes follow the happy travelers. “For them, probably waiting for adventure …. and I will be basking in luxury, but it bored me to ponder this disparity”- such a thought goes through my head. After a drink of cooled, freshly squeezed juice from exotic fruits I leave to an appointed room. I’m going out to finally get my first sip of Nambian hot air. I pass by groups of mostly young travelers, who follow their trapper-guides. After a while we are all waiting for the airport buses and depart into the blue distance. “I think I’d rather be among them,” – says my soul, adventurous and brought up on films about the fictional archeologist Indiana Jones adventures. I do not know how much I’m wrong – but more on that later.

I’m going back to the lobby, where my guide greets me with a broad smile, my landlady, accompanied by several people who will be with me to explore Namibia on a Flying Safari. It is, as later time will tell, a group of wonderful people of all ages but with one common passion – traveling! And that means not just any common, but travels remarkable and thoroughly luxurious. Feathers are in this fascinating, international and multi-cultural society, a very important visitors item. After a while we go to the runway, where service is already provided for trhe transportation of our luggage. They wait there for three brand new types of microlight aircrafts, which will transport us to the first stage of our stay in Namibia.

The aerial view of everything looks different. Infinite, free spaces, breathtaking scenery, rushing somewhere below us animals, a variety of colors and shapes – it can not be seen through the windows of even the most luxurious sport utility vehicle. Fascinating. Already after a few minutes of detachment from the ground, I cease to yearn for raw faced guides from the airport, and too often the journey in the wilderness of Namibia on the bus. Looking at the smiling face of the pilot and the faces of absorbed,picture shooting fellow travelers, I know I’m in the right place among the right people. Landscapes from the window of microlight aircrafts are simply to die for. After a moment of reflection, I pull out the camera and capture unique views. We pass the harsh Kalahari desert landscapes, crossing the Tropic of Capricorn, you reach the Sesriem Canyon, in the vicinity of the largest sand dunes in the world, Sossusvlei.

After landing, we are greeted by the service of our Lodges. Dressed in neat, typical costumes safari guides reload our luggage to the Land Rover. Coming out of the car we the feel real, fresh and refreshing scent of African air. Not every journey inspires such an exciting feeling, especially on the first day. After consuming a tasty lunch we are escorted to our cabins. These charming detached buildings made of traditional natural materials, blends with the surroundings. They are decorated in a very tasteful way. Great beds with canopies, equipped with probably the most comfortable mattress I have ever slept on, simple furnishings, but everything at the highest level of 5 * lux. My villa is really impressive. I feel here like a real explorer of Africa. Excess of luxury and comfort all around me. This I do not mind. Someone once said that Africa is austerity and simplicity – that’s what it is, but it must not be deprived of comfort. The well-stocked mini-bar with chilled drinks and light fare, Butler service, crystal clear water coming out of taps using pumps located 100 meters underground or deeper. In the middle of nowhere, nothing, in addition without restrictions. Excellent cuisine, a fine selection of wines in the cellar Lodges. Please show me something like that … (!) I get on my comfy, big bed and pull out a cell phone, which to my surprise shows the range. Weak, but always something. It is true that I enjoy vacation without the phone – but how else could I keep in touch with my loved ones without even a short text message?

Yet the same day we go to the first safari. The impressions are unforgettable. Raw and multicolored desert, suddenly a lot of greenery, occasional wild game, oryxy, antelopes. We are in a region which does not abound in large quantities. I do not feel unsatisfied and raw and beautiful landscape turns out to be amazing as well. How different from the perspective of the Land Rover. It is worth it to know the difference. Nothing, however, beat the views of sunrise in the desert during the morning tour. Trips can last for several hours, so our guides take care of our culinary needs. What comes out is great. Picnics in the desert with traditional delicacies we cost sipping cool drinks, beer, wine or champagne. There is also coffee and tea, so the choice is wide. However, the highlight of one of the safari tours is lunch under a big tree in the vicinity of Sossusvlei, with tables covered in white tablecloths and dishes, dessert and mandatory chilled champagne. It’s really special and unique experience. The evening watching the stars under the leadership of our guardian, who surprises us every moment with his vast knowledge, it is unfortunately the last act of their visit here. The next morning, not without sorrow, with a warmly bidden farewell we leave our great Lodge. Little Kulala – this place never forget.

Less than a 90 minute flight in the comfort engine Cessna Caravan takes us in a completely different area of ​​this vast country. Changes to the landscape are here so unheard of, as perhaps in no other place on earth. We are flying over the dunes of the Namib-Naukluft Park and Skeleton Coast – is one of the most unique and mysterious places I’ve ever seen – and believe me, I’ve seen a lot of interesting places. We pass shipwrecks 100 years ago – Edward Bohlen and Cawdor Castle. Adds attractiveness to the fact that you can only see them from the air. I wish I could share with you what was given to me to admire, but I can not state it in any words. The beauty and fascinating charm of the area is beyond my capabilities literary.

We land at Swakopmund, where awaiting us are representatives of the office. We do not have to worry about luggage, or literally anything, from the very beginning of the trip. After a short welcome and briefing we go to a comfortable car to the hotel. Swakopmund is a charming tourist town with neat manicured squares and palm trees, nice squares and monuments, wide, sandy beaches. Unfortunately, the sea here is not conducive baths. The city is dominated by low buildings, and the carefully restored houses with turrets, delight beauty and remarkable colors. Plenty of traditional jewelry stores, boutiques, cool restaurants, bars and discos. There are also supermarkets – just like we know from Europe. After taming the environment to see that the city does not differ, in principle, so much of our European cities. It is certainly worth a visit, good interlude in the safari and the opportunity to explore Namibia with the other, the daily pages. You can also, following my example, almost dance the night away at one of the local clubs, admiring a cold Windhoek Lager. The rest of the night I spend a boutique hotel – Villa Margherita 5 *. I would recommend this place to everyone, it is beautiful, full of history and great people working there. For dinner, I recommend the tuna steak. Only in Sardinia have I eaten it, but never better.

The next morning we go to the sea safari in the Gulf of Walvis Bay, on board a modern catamaran motor. We applaud the countless colonies of seals and to our joy, the whole herd of dolphins. We eat specially prepared treats, snacks and fantastic oysters, sipping chilled champagne. It tastes particularly good that day

After the tour, richer souvenirs are purchased in the port’s shops, we go to the airport, where staff are waiting with our luggage. After a moment longer we sit in a comfortable plane that flies in the vicinity of the Etosha Park, Reserve Ongava. The most wonderful is that thanks to this flight we can in a relatively short time see almost the entire country, as a jeep safari is tiresome for many hours and riding the buses is never a guarantee. We move comfortably beating the great distances without any fatigue. The landscape is changing quite quickly, pass Cape Cross and its huge colonies of seals, we are flying towards Damaraland and Doros Crater. Outside the window, waiting every moment another miraculous shot and beautiful, like a lunar view. In a few days I made over one thousand pictures – and I am not photo-fanatic. Most people in our group took more.

We land in the reserve of Ongava. On the way to our Lodges, and during the next two days stay, we enter on our Land Rovers a variety of fascinating and seemingly inaccessible places. We get to know this wonderful reserve with his best side. Here we encounter cheetahs, lions, literally at your fingertips. Herds of giraffes, zebras, goats, beautiful birds, and countless other animal species. We move outdoor cars in the care of experienced guides who know how to move in these wild areas, full of predators. After a short while, we all gain confidence in them – they are true specialists. The best of the best in his field. The culmination of our safari is to stay in the Etosha Park, the largest in Namibia and one of the world’s largest national parks. It occupies an area of ​​about 22,270 sq. km. and is home to over 114 species of animals, many of them very rare and endangered, such as black rhino and black impala (black stripes on the head). These species are characteristic of northwestern Namibia and southwestern Angola. In 1970, black rhinos were moved from the park Kaokoland to Etosha, which was the starting point for the current population of about 300 of these animals and is one of the few cases increasing amounts of these animals in the world. In contrast, living in Etosha elephants are considered the largest in Africa.

Ongava Lodge, where we host, consists of a decorated in traditional style, very comfortable, free-standing suites with beautiful panoramic terraces. And three of the largest villas available there are a few mega-luxury estates with their own swimming pools and large terraces. The main building impresses with its African style. Housed there is a restaurant which offers very tasty dishes. It also boasts a very cool lobby with a surprisingly well-stocked bar and service which is our every need. To amuse us free African dance or traditional African song is provided. There is a large terrace with comfortable couches and hammocks. Ongava also offers accommodation in comfortable tents, raised platforms, allowing for even greater integration with the surrounding nature. Indeed, a magical place, idyll. Unfortunately, as the old Polish proverb says, all good things …. Oh no, there is one more night in the capital, Windhoek.

After arriving and getting to the modern Hilton hotel in the city center, I decide to briefly rest. I browse through the pictures and try to keep in mind all the places I have visited. A little later we go in our, already friendly group, shopping and stroll through the streets of the city. Somehow nothing surprising – that the modern, full of beautiful shops and restaurants, shopping centers is not worse than in Europe, and the streets are covered with perfectly smooth asphalt. Fortunately people around abound in color, national costumes of women of the proud tribe Herrero, occasionally surprising, but typical trifle, do not let us forget that we are still in Africa. Windhoek met during the day, evening and night. I believe – a great time, we ate, drank and danced. We also met cheerful and friendly people on our way.

Unfortunately, the day has come – the moment that every day, inevitably approaching. After leaving the hotel, we were driven back to the airport in Windhoek Hosea Kutako. About our luggage, as it was during the entire journey was taken care of by service. After the briefing, the last half hour before the flight spent in the comfortable lobby airfield. Thus, where we were greeted on the first day. Sorrow, which have not known for a long time, gripped my heart when I walked on the plane. I remember very well when I felt exactly the same – it was a different country but the same continent. Africa. I know that time has passed, and I wish the best for you!

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