Namibia, a play ground!

When telling friends we are taking time off to travel Southern Africa with the children, we generally get two contrasting reactions. Some people are concerned about our health, safety and well-being, others are genuinely envious and want to join. It comes to no surprise that it’s the Europeans who fall into the first category.

I do not know where it has gone wrong with the marketing of Africa as a holiday destination. People from the northern hemisphere generally think it is intimidating and dangerous. The people who do dare to travel this corner of the world are mostly perceived as irresponsible and bold.

Of course, there are exceptions to the rule. Before Covid, Cape Town welcomed more than 5 million foreign visitors annually, and rightfully so. Cape Town is one of the most incredible places in the world and surrounding highlights like the Garden Route make it a fantastic holiday destination, even for Nordics.

But although being my very much-loved home for the past five years, Cape Town does not embody the true heart and soul of the African continent.

Growing up in Northern Europe, my school holidays were spent mostly along the French coastline. These safe havens allowed me to eat my body weight in flakey pastries, baguettes, and crepes. Camp sites would be full of other (Dutch) holiday makers allowing us all to run around all day with newly made friends. All fun and games, yet far from truly adventurous.

Living in South Africa has allowed us as a family to explore far beyond our comfortable (but amazing) Europe. And with Cape Town as our home, countries which had never been on the radar, suddenly became possible, popular and exciting holiday destinations.

Take Namibia. A country which changes color as you drive from bottom to top. The dry gravel roads and red dunes change into an almost lunar landscape before suddenly becoming lush and green closer to the Zambezi River in the north. Excitement and beauty can be found is in the most unpredictable corners of this country. Like digging up a translucent Namib sand gecko, hearing lion calls at night or seeing elephants walk through a dry river bedding.

For children, Namibia is one huge breathtaking playground. The rock formations are the best jungle gyms and if you don’t mind a bit of sand, the dunes provide you with hours of entertainment. And where as a child I was able to choose between lemon or Nutella on my crepe, Namibia often has zebra, oryx or wildebeest on the menu. No matter if you choose to go back to basic by camping or spoil yourself with a five-star lodge, you will enjoy incredible sunrises in the morning, campfires at night and an enormous intake of oxygen. The combination of this all make holidays here pretty memorable.

When it comes to marketing Africa, look beyond what you will read in the newspaper on your campsite on the French coast because Africa is so incredibly versatile and immensly fascinating. So be that responsible (irresponsible) and bold person. Get sand in your ears, watch hippos in the river and zebra on your plate. Because traveling though Namibia is an unforgettable experience!