Lesser Flamingo

I am often flabbergasted when a person tells me that he or she has never been to Namibia.

- Koos Pieters 

Some people may have flown into places like Windhoek or Walvis Bay on business, but never gone by road and on holiday. Some others, in the 50 to 65 age group, may have been to the northern parts of the country as soldiers during the "total onslaught" years, but never anywhere else.

Then you have those poor souls who have not been to Namibia at all...never ever. This is what I find difficult to comprehend. It is such a gem of a destination with so much to offer. And it is relatively close to all of us, no matter where you live in South Africa.

I stopped counting my visits to Namibia a long time ago. They started way back with my doing border duty during my military service and followed by a fishing trip to Henties Bay. Then I took my wife and kids on a visit, and it was love at first sight for the whole family. Later, I went into the Namib Desert on an organised tour, and I have since been back to the desert no fewer than eight times. I have been to the Khaudum, travelled through Kaokoland and camped in the spectacular Spitzkoppe. In fact, there is hardly a part of Namibia that I have not seen, and I always look forward to going back. And then I bump into people who have never been there. Can you believe it? 

So what is the big attraction?