Backpacking in Namibia
Wednesday November 04 2009
I have backpacked for many years and go away every January. I am wondering whether to choose Madagascar or Namibia this year. I like a mix of activities: water sports, chilling, nature and reasonably priced, quirky accommodation. What is your opinion? N Mulhern
Both would make excellent choices, though Namibia shades it. Though some of the things on your list are better in Madagascar, the current political situation in the country is unpredictable. For this reason, you may be looking at changing plans once they're in place for a visit to Madagascar, even while on the road. If you did decide to go for it, plan around mostly visiting the north of the country and the beautiful island of Ile St Marie, and keep in touch with developments in the country. The UK Foreign & Commonwealth Office (www.fco.gov.uk) is a good place to do so.
I was lucky enough to visit Namibia in April and found it a wonderful place, full of superb desert scenery, easy-to-spot wildlife and friendly people. Attractions such as the sand dunes at Sossusvlei, Etosha National Park and the wildlife-rich Caprivi strip offer a logical backpacking itinerary. January is, however, high season, as the country gets a lot of visitors from South Africa during their long school holiday, so the later in the month you can leave it, the better.
- Tom Hall
Irish Independent
