Namibia 2023 – A brief visit to my second home

Between my trekking holidays in Utah and Italy, I returned to Namibia to take training hikes out in the bush and catch up with friends and former colleagues.

There’s nothing like the joy I feel when touching down at Hosea Kutako International Airport in Windhoek after two long days of travel from California, especially to catch the sunrise.

Since one of my objectives was to train for my upcoming Vias in Italy, I went on several hikes in Daan Viljoen Game Park, just 30 minutes outside the nation’s capital. The Rooibos Trail was my main route, but I also went out and back to Stengel Dam and even bushwhacked up some hilltops to catch the views back into the city.

The park rangers say that the trail back to Central Windhoek is no longer maintained, but this sign certainly tempts me. Maybe on a future visit…

Several dams in the park provide refreshing water holes for the wildlife.

Most of my hikes were during the middle of the day when animals usually hide from the warm sun, but I still managed to see a few. I can only imagine how many others watched me from their hidden lairs.

---

On my drive to my former hometown of Arandis, I spent a day and night in my favorite camping area in Erongo Region. I wasn’t traveling with my gear, so I took advantage of one of their glamping tents!

---

The timing of my trip permitted me to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Peace Corps Namibia’s three latest Response Volunteers at the home of the American ambassador.

---

The visit was short but an excellent opportunity to catch up with some of my favorite people and make new friends.

---

This short video clip isn’t mine, and all rights to the producer, @namibia_to_the_world.

I like it a lot!