Traveler Magazine Andrew Harper Traveler Summer 2019 | Seite 15

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NAMIBIA
Directly due east of Botswana is Namibia—the
country with the least amount of rainfall on the
continent this side of the Sahara. But, where
rainfall is lacking, life is not. There is a thriving
ecosystem here in this arid expanse, making
for moments of otherworldly wonder within a
visit. Much of Africa’s quintessential creatures
reside here, having specially adapted for desert
life—lions, rhinos, giraffes, elephants and
wildebeest can be found amongst the scruffy
brush, hills and dunes. Rivers bring with them
the infamous Nile crocodile.
With regards to lodges, Damaraland Camp
is uniquely positioned as a standout option.
Owned and run by the local community as
part of a revolutionary community-conservancy
model, Damaraland Camp sits in the Huab
River Valley, sporting views of the surrounding
stunning scenery—plains, valleys and peaks of
mountains as far as the eye can see. It’s here,
at these eco-friendly adobe-styled abodes
that you’ll find the perfect base camp for
discovering the Haub River system, as well as
peace of mind for helping it flourish.
Of course, if your primary goal is to
witness wildlife, know that the large game
moves with the seasonal rainfall—giving
“off-season” an entirely new meaning. To up
your chances of witnessing desert denizens,
opt for a guided exploration. Wilderness
Safaris offers opportunities to cross the
desert in intimate group sizes, tracking the
elephants and rhinos as you go. Double the
fulfillment with the knowledge that you
are supporting ecotourism—Wilderness
Safaris serves multiple roles in anti-elephant
poaching, desert lion conservation and
fostering neighboring communities. Like
every aforementioned company, they go
beyond letting you leave only footprints—they
help you leave the wilderness better than you
found it.
ANDREWHARPERTRAVEL.COM
SUMMER | 2019