NamibRand Family Hideout.

         

If you want to get away from it all and spend a few days in complete relaxation, you should head for the wonderful, rustic Family Hideout in the private NamibRand Nature Reserve. And a hideout it is. From the front porch you look out to an endless sea of grass that washes up against rugged mountains in the far distance. Just a few hundred metres behind the house red sand dunes grace the eye in stark contrast to lush green trees and the crisp blue sky. For breakfast a bunch of Sprinboks pass by and for sundowner a lonely Oryx pays his regular visit. And this as exciting as it gets. Else, there is only you and the occasional bird and silence and peace. And the starlit night. http://www.hideout.iway.na/

The Stellenbosch.

To the Namibian culinary crowd, the Cape Winelands are always a bit like the grass that is much, much greener on the other side. No year without a trip of recreation from the mediocrity of dull country fare to check out new concepts and tastes between Stellenbosch and Franschhoek. Well, that is now a matter of the past. Since late in 2011 the oak city lends its name to »The Stellenbosch - Wine Bar & Bistro«, a refreshingly sophisticated yet relaxed restaurant between Klein Windhoek and Ludwigsdorf. Have some buttery avo with olive oil and sea salt for starter, then go for a divine Biltong and blue cheese salad with homemade bread, and finish off with an Amarula creme brûlée. Linger for longer in the airy courtyard and listen to the gentle stream of water from the central fountain. Of course with a good red from the Cape.

The Fish Deli.

When we go to Swakop over the weekend, we make sure we arrive well before 13:00 on Saturday. Because that is when the Fish Deli closes. And that would mean to miss all the seafood goodness on offer at Namibia's most wonderful fishmonger. In fact, the Fish Deli has become one of the main reasons to go to Swakop. First, we would have a big portion of fish and chips, as well as joghurt with berries for dessert. Then, we stock up on angelfish scewers and marinated kingklip for the evening braai, plus a huge container of creamed herring to take back to Windhoek and get us through the week on the mainland. Fortunately, Katja and Martin (they guys behind the Fish Deli) were wise enough to broaden their reach to the capital in recent months. Some of their delicacies can now also be found at Seawork and Superspar. But for some reason we still make sure we are at the coast on time...

Free Map Collection of Namibia.

If there is one thing you should do in Namibia, it is obviously traveling.  From Orange River to Kunene, from coast to Kalahari, Namibia's landscapes are as diverse as its people. And roads, though not necessarily perfect in all places, extend into the most remote corners of the country. Fortunately, there is no need to buy expensive maps for orientation and route planning (unless you want to go off-road and need GPS coordinates). Just head for the nearest tourist info and get yourself a free »Map Collection of Namibia«, featuring separate maps for Northern and Southern Namibia, plus city maps of Windhoek, Swakop and Walvis. Oh, and they obviously make their money via advertising, which isn't a bad thing either, as some of your destinations, i.e., lodges, are indicated already. Which is how we made it into every single copy of the map collection ever since the 2010/11 edition. Yes, the guy in the canary yellow jersey in the passenger seat of the game drive vehicle at Erindi, that's me.