I was this past Sept (2011) and if you want to stay 'in' the Etosha Lodges, you should book earlier - same as in Sossuslvei... seemed most places were packed one night and avail for walk-ins another time... Since the driving distances from point A to B are pretty long - it would be a disappointment to get there and no rooms. I used a company - wouldn't recommend it. If I had to do it again, I would rent a jeep and do it myself :-)
Sorry to hear Mali fell thru - such a great country... I would consider going back - so many place to visit - one of the best in my West Africa trip.
In regards to Namibia, I just got back - 17 day trip.. big country - lots of distance if by road. Visited Kalahari Desert, Fish River Canyon (long drive to get there but beautiful scenery), Luderitz (would skip - long drive to see a ghost town/marina). Namib Desert/Sossusslei: amazing, get there early to appreciate Deadvlei. And Etosha National Park - the best in Sept when animals are concentrated in the waterholes (saw 10 desert elephants). For a great cheetah experience I would recommend you stay at the Babson House at the Cheetah Conservation Fund (near Otjiwarongo) - the private home and tour program is up and close! Find me in Facebook to see photos - happy trails!
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Hi Tony -
I was this past Sept (2011) and if you want to stay 'in' the Etosha Lodges, you should book earlier - same as in Sossuslvei... seemed most places were packed one night and avail for walk-ins another time... Since the driving distances from point A to B are pretty long - it would be a disappointment to get there and no rooms. I used a company - wouldn't recommend it. If I had to do it again, I would rent a jeep and do it myself :-)
Hi Tony,
Sorry to hear Mali fell thru - such a great country... I would consider going back - so many place to visit - one of the best in my West Africa trip.
In regards to Namibia, I just got back - 17 day trip.. big country - lots of distance if by road. Visited Kalahari Desert, Fish River Canyon (long drive to get there but beautiful scenery), Luderitz (would skip - long drive to see a ghost town/marina). Namib Desert/Sossusslei: amazing, get there early to appreciate Deadvlei. And Etosha National Park - the best in Sept when animals are concentrated in the waterholes (saw 10 desert elephants). For a great cheetah experience I would recommend you stay at the Babson House at the Cheetah Conservation Fund (near Otjiwarongo) - the private home and tour program is up and close! Find me in Facebook to see photos - happy trails!