Day 1 - Introducing Namibia

Once you have felt the pulse of Africa, you are hooked for life. The 'poorest' continent is perhaps the richest in experience. An incredible variety of fauna, flora and historical settlements against different backgrounds. From the dry deserts across the steppe, the savannah to the biggest rainforest. The Egyptian pyramids in the northern Sahara left an unforgettable impression, not to mention the impressive temples of Luxor and Karnak located next to the mighty Nile, the lifeline of north-east Africa. Or our walk in the shadow of the sphinxes. Each one an appointment with history. Or the unknown and thus unloved interior of Tunisia. There we discovered some gems of Roman culture like a Roman amphitheater in the middle of the desert. That amphitheater in the Sahara was not a fata morgana like a whole village that we suddenly saw appearing on the horizon. But also some gems from the local culture. My first safaris in Kenya and Tanzania are still fresh in my memory,  allthough it has been 7 years ago. Standing face to face with the Big Five, especially the lion, rhino or leopard has something very humbling. I remember a lunch in one of the Tanzanian wildlife parks we had in one of the former colonial homes. This home now serves as a restaurant but the rooms just looked like before. Family portraits on the walls were proof of the grandeur of the past. We ate at the large family table in the dining room where large candlesticks dominated the room with silver cutlery and waiters wearing white gloves while serving. It felt like I came home. I saw myself taking a walk in my long robe, including an umbrella, finishing with a fresh gin tonic on the terrace. Perhaps this is our colonial blood that speaks, but in one way or another I have a romantic idea of ​​all that colonial fuss. Perhaps I was a colonial in a previous life? And then there is still the unbelievable trip of last year, especially the 'glamping' trip in Zimbabwe. A couple of days in the wilderness with at best only a tent canvas that separated us from the wildest and most dangerous animals. Hiking safaris in the African savannah looking for rhinos and elephants. The nightly roar of lions, the scream of leopards. But it will be difficult to match the absolute peace and serenity that prevailed there. But there is so much more to explore like the rainforest in Central Africa with the mountain gorilla living in Uganda, Rwanda and eastern Congo. For now a dream but I hope to see these beautiful animals one day in their natural habitat. What's no dream is that other beautiful country in southern Africa. Due to its vast diversity with no less than two deserts, a large variety of fauna, the photogenic Himba women and located on the Atlantic Ocean, Namibia is called Africa's crown jewel. And that African gem I would like to wear in my pearl necklace in the next two weeks.