Just beyond the invisible barriers of the last habitation lies the desert, which the true heart of Namibia.

Windhoek city, has a wonderful squeaky clean appearance and its mode-like Christus Church with well preserved lawns, add to the charm. The roads in the city are of a good standard and traffic at a minimal, during most parts of the day and you can feel safe in travelling in your car hire from Windhoek, Cnr Sam Nujoma & Stein Street.

Generally the buildings are of a modern style with a smattering of old Germanic buildings, with turn of the century details. Long carved scallops and sweeping turrets, with original red roof tiles, gives one an impression of Hansel and Gretal meet the New Age.

For those of you German speakers you will be pleased to know that majority of the road signage and shop windows, carry German translations as well. For the best part, the city people are friendly and will go out of their way to help. The city of Windhoek spins a security blanket around one, and you would not be blamed for thinking you were in some European, first world country. The outer city limits hint at the vast, rugged wilderness that makes up the majority of Nb>Namibia.

Just beyond the invisible barriers of the last habitation lies the desert, which is the true heart of the rugged country. Countless travel photographs depict convoys of 4x4 vehicles strung out in a line like a broken necklace across the desert wastelands.

Then there are there incredibly stark lunar-type landscapes of the Skeleton Coast. You would be led to believe that no living thing could overcome such harsh and desolate conditions. Surprisingly enough, once the rangers show you, there is an profusion of game, birds and wildlife to be seen. Conservations areas and wildlife preserves are all over Namibia.

Each establishment caters for the well being of their diverse animal genus and are equipped to handle the dissimilar ecosystem and environment where these remarkable animals live. Some of these game reserves are a short distance drive from Windhoek. Eco tourism is a cash cow for Namibia and more and more local farmers have introduced better livestock administration procedures.

They are now able to farm in harmony with the natural predators in the area, by using imported guard dogs and employing more human Sheppard’s, for the livestock. Cheetah Conservation reserve can be found on the map near the Waterberg Plateau.

No matter how beautiful and seductively appealing, these great savannas or sun scorched white coastlines appear in photos, there is always a clear and present danger lurking. The African sun is unforgiving and once you leave the major roadways, 4x4 vehicles a GPS and extra drinking water are as needy as your left and right-hand.

• Cheetah Conservation Fund
  PO Box 1755
  Otjiwarongo,
  Namibia.
  Tel: +264 (0) 67 306 225
  Fax: +264 (0) 67 306 247
  Address: Otjiwarongo Namibia

Useful contacts for Namibian safaris:

• CONTACT INFORMATION FOR: E-GNU
  Postal Address:
  PO Box 48114,
  Kommetjie,
  7976,
  Cape Town,
  South Africa

  Telephone numbers:

  SA:+27 21 780 1391
  USA:+1 404 418 5500
  UK:+44 020 8133 0333
  Fax:+27 21 780 1309
  E-mail: info@e-gnu.com | info@greenlife.co.za
  skype: africansafari