Furlongs Travel Blog

We’ve arrived!

Thu, 17 May 2012 12:01 GMT

We benefitted from a less than busy M25 on route from our Kent office to Heathrow, so were ready to check in before the check in was ready. Everyone was nice and early in fact. After security checks we took the long walk to the South African Airways departure gate. It is usually the furthest gate! At one point you see the aircraft out of the terminal windows but it takes another 15 minutes before we arrive! Once on board, the flight was comfortable, the pilot positively jovial, and the crew attentive. The aircraft was quick too, we arrived in Johannesburg almost 45 minutes ahead of schedule. Here we connected to our short hop flight to Windhoek, capital of Namibia. More refreshments and food were served during that flight too! The air crew were again very happy people although they apologised for not having the Namibian immigration forms to hand out. Our guests didn't need to worry of course as we had already supplied them! This avoided completing the form in the airport immigration hall so we were first in the queue. The queue, however, moved very slowly, especially when Richard got to the desk. He is asked why he is back in Namibia so soon? He explains he is a tour operator looking after another holiday group from the UK and points out the special multiple entry work visa in his passport obtained from the Namibian Embassy in London for the purpose. The immigration officer didn't seem to like the answer so she asked the same question again. Richard replied, offering exactly the same information in a slightly different order. The immigration office still didn't seemed impressed. Two more question and answer sessions followed after which the passport was somewhat begrudgingly stamped and Richard was allowed in. Thereafter all guests sailed through the process without many questions, albeit quite slowly. Dawn is last in the queue and may have the same immigration problem. Richard thinks she may be arrested for visiting Namibia again so soon. Although concerned he also begins to calculate how much he would save if she is shipped home. As it happens she is simply asked if she is a tour operator? She answers yes. Her passport is stamped and she is politely welcomed to Namibia! Our local coach driver Bruce, and guide Uanee are waiting at the airport to greet us. We're soon on board and heading into town. After a short introduction to the town centre we drive to our hotel, the Windhoek Country Club Resort. This comfortable full service hotel is on the outskirts of the city and perfect for a good nights sleep after a long travel day. After settling in, guests take a well earned rest before a comprehensive dinner buffet and an early night.

Tour operator luggage museum?

Tue, 15 May 2012 08:30 GMT

Is it just us, or do tour operators generally end up with a vast collection of luggage?! Escorting tours over the years Richard and Dawn have used a variety of luggage - some has collapsed after a few uses and some has survived well. Dawn's choice of brightly coloured (flowery!) main luggage from Roxy has done well. They are not Richard's favourite colour but he has to admit you can see them immediately they hit the luggage carousel at airports. For hand luggage we've used bright red Jeep wheeled bags and these have also done good service. Sadly Dawn's died in Costa Rica and Richard's suffered a breakdown last week in Namibia. As a result we've had to dig deep into our capital expenditure budget and purchase two new ones. The picture shows the retired ones saying bon voyage to the new ones!

After a quick turn round, we're packed and ready for Namibia Tour Number Two! Tomorrow we head for Heathrow and fly overnight to Johannesburg and then onto Namibia's capital city, Windhoek. Daily tour blogs will start on arrival so why not take a regular look to see what we're up to? Tour number one was brilliant and now we know where we're going, tour number two will be even better (just joking, we've been to Namibia too often to get lost!).

Back in the UK

Fri, 11 May 2012 13:27 GMT

Approaching Heathrow we were treated to some wonderful views over London and the South African Airways pilot pointed out the Olympic Stadium, the Dome, City Airport and more. We landed slightly ahead of time which was useful since we had to walk a long way to immigration and luggage. Surely we could have landed closer?! However we must have been one of the first flights to arrive at Terminal One because there was hardly any wait at the immigration desks. All the luggage arrived promptly too, so everyone got underway without delay. Once we left the airport we realised we were home of course. So much traffic compared to Namibia and not quite so warm either! We hope everyone got home safely and takes with them many happy memories of a happy group and a wonderful tour. By the way, after bacon sandwiches and tea (which is certainly off diet), Richard and Dawn are in the office, or shopping, or packing for next week's departure. You can probably work out which bit ot that Richard is doing?

Leaving Namibia

Thu, 10 May 2012 19:25 GMT

The Okonjima brunch sets us up well before we depart from main camp and make our way south to Windhoek. On route we make a coffee/comfort stop at Okahandja. Opposite the cafe is a large market and unfortunately we lose some clients here. However, once a loud "all aboard" is shouted, they return (with yet more shopping bags!). Just north of Windhoek we stop at a local park to enjoy a picnic lunch. The picnics have been prepared for us by the Okonjima staff and they are comprehensive to say the least. We don't believe any guest consumed their entire picnic here. Around 45 minutes further on we're arriving at Windhoek Airport and saying our goodbyes to our driver Bruce and our wonderful guide Uanee. Given all that we've done it seems like months ago we started this tour, and it's certainly sad to leave such a magnificent country. However all good things have to come to an end, so we're soon aboard the flight to Johannesburg (and trying to consume yet another meal!), and then we connect in Johannesburg to a comfortable South African Airways flight home to the UK.

Bushmen omelette

Wed, 09 May 2012 19:24 GMT

A slightly later start this morning. We're given an extra hour in bed before we head out on an educational San Bushman Walk with local guides. We learn about traditional hunting methods and see bird and animal traps, rope making and fire making, to discover how the San people adapt and survive in this unforgiving wilderness environment. It's obviously of great interest to our guests as they're later back than scheduled for brunch. And at brunch many enjoy a Bushman's Omelette which is basically the whole selection of cooked breakfast wrapped up in an omelette on one plate. No risk of going hungry for sure. After a siesta during which Richard contacts Windhoek Airport to prebook seating for our flights tomorrow, we're back on the Okonjima game viewing vehicles for an exciting afternoon hearing about the work of AfriCat. We visit the AfriCat clinic and offices, and a nearby enclosure to see more cheetahs close up. And we're not disappointed. Late afternoon we head for a remote spot for a final sundowner. Bubbly is served. The bottle corks fly into the air and when we tidy up we try to retrieve them. One is missing so we all form a line and as the light begins to fade we do our best to recover the last cork. Was it found? Who knows?

Leopards and Cheetahs

Tue, 08 May 2012 19:22 GMT

Early morning call at 5.30am! Call this a holiday?! After a quick cup of tea or coffee and a snack, we join Okonjima's game viewing jeeps and set out to track leopards. The Okonjima wildlife reserve is huge so finding one of only four radio collared leopards isn't easy. Three out of five vehicles have success, two don't (but we won't give up, see later). Back at the lodge we enjoy a big brunch and then some free time. Around 3pm we regroup for afternoon tea before our next activity .... which is tracking cheetahs on foot! Those guests who did not see leopards this morning head in that direction first. The guides here do not like to disappoint and they didn't. Leopard were seen - close up! The whole group then met up to walk with cheetahs, a truly magical experience. The day concluded with sundowner drinks and an excellent dinner back at the lodge.

From Namutoni to Okonjima

Mon, 07 May 2012 19:20 GMT

This morning Dawn is counting luggage and guests get ready to depart Namutoni. On route to the gates a Damara Dik Dik is spotted. This is the smallest antelope (much smaller than Bambi!) and also a fairly rare viewing. The driving route today skirts a town called Tsumeb which, according to two of our guests, is twinned with Chesterfield in Derbyshire. This is unexpected and highly exciting news so naturally we stop to take a photo of the town sign! Later in the journey Dawn schedules a wee stop (that's short and useful) at a souvenir shop we've used on previous tours. On arrival the only thing that's open are the toilets, and the shop seems closed down. Guests are unaware that Richard arranged this to curtail Dawn's souvenir collection. Our lunch stop is scheduled at Otjiwarongo where Richard reappears as if from nowhere. We use Carstens Cafe here and the pastries are to be recommended! After lunch we drive about 50kms to Okonjima, our final destination. We're welcomed by the friendly staff and soon settle into our accommodations.

Game Drives from Namutoni

Sun, 06 May 2012 19:18 GMT

Another fine day in Etosha National Park. Despite many guests taking the Game Drive last night, everyone is still up early to join morning drives today. And there are a variety of game viewing tales from guests this morning ... a rhino rolling in mud, plenty of giraffe, zebra with young, and lions drinking at a water hole. Then, by text message (since he is still in Windhoek at this time), Richard hears the coach has broken down in the park. Naturally he goes to buy a new coach straight away, but Dawn confirms within a few minutes that it is mended and guests are on the way again. After a brief siesta many guests join Uanee and Bruce for an afternoon game drive and spot more lions and also elephants on the road. Etosha National Park has certainly delivered excellent results!

Polar Bears in Namibia?

Sat, 05 May 2012 19:17 GMT

One of those rare leisurely departures today so we were expecting everyone to sleep in. But no, most guests are at the Okaukuejo water hole enjoying more game viewings BEFORE breakfast. Around 10am we load luggage onto our coach and leave Okaukuejo - does anyone know how to pronounce that word?! As Dawn and guests head east, Richard heads south to Windhoek to run an unexpected errand. The following report into the exploits of our guests in Etosha is therefore written by Dawn (and remains unchecked by Richard!). Apparently the drive across Etosha was pretty spectacular, with viewings of many antelope, and also giraffe and elephant. A half way lunch stop was enjoyed at Halali Camp, before continuing to Namutoni, home for the next couple of nights. Namutoni served as a control post in the late 1800's and a fort was built here in 1902/03. The fort was declared a national monument in 1950, opened for tourist stays in 1957, and has been significantly upgraded to a luxury resort in recent years. Apparently, on check-in, our guests are particularly impressed with the bathrooms. Since we have another Namibia tour starting in 10 days we don't wish to give away too much in this blog but suffice to say the bathrooms are "unusual". Dawn also wishes to report the Night Game Drive from Namutoni was very successful, with viewings of a big pride of lions, rhino, African wild cat, and .... a python. Richard is not at all jealous sitting in his basic Windhoek hotel eating a mediocre cheese sandwich. He is also not entirely happy with Dawn's additional wildlife claims to also seeing a Duck billed platypus, some reindeer, a wandering albatross, and a polar bear.

Game Drives from Okuakuejo

Fri, 04 May 2012 19:16 GMT

Some guests are early-birds this morning. They're joining game viewing tours by 5.30am. The effort is worth it though, because they are the first visitors into the park and enjoy a great wildlife drive. Our (slightly later) included game viewing by coach works well too. Our driver Bruce and expert guide Uanee escort us north to a water hole called Okondeka where we are lucky to spot a family of lions. We sit here and watch in wonder. There are two males, a number of females, and various young including a tiny cub. Viewing at the Okaukuejo water hole is also spectacular today. During the afternoon, for instance, one elephant turns up to drink and to cool himself down. Half an hour later another elephant joins in. Then elephant number 3, then number 4. They give a magnificent show not more than 100 feet from our viewing platform. We have very happy guests!