When most people think of Namibia, they picture an arid country with hot temperatures almost year round. They picture a desolate landscape famous for the red/orange sand of its two largest deserts. The Namib Desert is known for its towering sand dunes in the Sossusvlei section along the Atlantic Coast. The great Kalahari Desert is home to the mysterious click-language speaking Bushmen. The dry Fish River Canyon rivals the grandeur of Arizona’s Grand Canyon in its vastness and harsh beauty.
I want to share a softer side of Namibia. In the northeast section of the country bordered by Angola, Zambia, Botswana and Zimbabwe is a lush finger of land called the Caprivi strip. It’s a wooded area nurtured by rivers among which are the Zambezi, the Okavanga and the Kwando.
A couple of years ago I had the opportunity to visit this beautiful section of Namibia. I stayed at the Lianshulu Lodge in the Mudumu National Park. I really roughed it in a reed and thatched chalet with shower and bathroom facilities. Gourmet meals were beautifully presented in a community dining area not far from a large swimming pool.
Game drives are the main attraction at Lianshulu. On morning and afternoon drives I saw elephants, hippos, crocs and several other animals. Bird life is abundant as well. On a Kwando riverboat trip I saw African skimmers, cormorants, kingfishers, herons and egrets.
The evening drive usually ended with a “sundowner.” We’d hop in the 4 WD game drive vehicle, find a nice spot with a view and set up a table with wine, drinks and crunchy munchies. We’d relax with our safari family and watch the spectacular African sunset.
This is the softer side of Namibia.
More about Africa:
Global Mysteries 
Actually, until now, I never thought of Namibia at all. Thanks for the information.
LikeLike
By: Richard W Scott on February 29, 2012
at 5:20 pm
Richard, Namibia is such a fascinating country. It is the second least densely populated country in the world. Most of the population is in Windhoek, the capitol. Windhoek is very modern. The capitol was settled by Germans and is still run with typical German efficiency.
LikeLike
By: Nancy Curteman on February 29, 2012
at 10:05 pm
My murder mystery, which I am currently working on with my publisher is set in Namibia! It follows a group of tourists as they make their way north after starting in Cape Town. We’re hoping for a Spring 2013 release if all goes well. I wrote the first draft at 220 000 words so it has needed (some) editing! It’s my third novel but my first mystery which is why I’ve been following your posts so carefully and trying very hard to follow your advice.
LikeLike
By: Lisa on February 29, 2012
at 5:25 pm
Lisa, So neat to hear you’re setting a mystery in Namibia. I’m also writing a mystery. It’s set in Cape Town and Khayelitsha Township. Two of my characters will take a short trip to Namibia.
Keep me posted on the progress of your novel. Good luck.
LikeLike
By: Nancy Curteman on February 29, 2012
at 9:57 pm
Thank you very much Dear Nancy :)) and thank you for this site – I learn SO much – I have a very long way to go
LikeLike
By: Lisa de Nikolits on March 1, 2012
at 5:16 am
Sounds idyllic, NC! I’ve met quite a few bloggers in Africa ~ especially Cape Town . . . but none in Namibia.
LikeLike
By: nrhatch on March 1, 2012
at 2:15 pm
On my Blog Roll, you’ll find several African bloggers:
The Only Cin (Cindy Taylor) ~ in South Africa, familiar with Cape Town
View from the Side (Sidey/Melanie) ~ in South Africa
Adeeyoyo’s Blog (Denise)
Granny1947 (Kathy) ~ gorgeous sea views in Cape Town
Naomi’s Notes ~ gorgeous photography in South Africa
LikeLike
By: nrhatch on March 2, 2012
at 9:43 am
Thanks, Nancy. I’ll check them out.
LikeLike
By: Nancy Curteman on March 5, 2012
at 8:26 pm
It would be fun to meet some of your Cape Town cyber buddies because the novel I’m working on right now is set in Cape Town and Namibia.
LikeLike
By: Nancy Curteman on March 1, 2012
at 8:26 pm
I knew a bit about the dunes, animals, and location on the West coast; you filled me in a lot. Nothing like a litttle water and greenery. I roughed it kind of like yours on the Amazon in Brazil. Thanks.
LikeLike
By: richwriting on March 5, 2012
at 9:29 am
Neat to know you’ve visited Namibia. Not many people seem to know much about the country and even fewer have been there. Never been to the Amazon or Brazil. They’re on my list.
LikeLike
By: Nancy Curteman on March 5, 2012
at 8:28 pm