Managed independence

Our travels across India last year gave us the confidence to explore the heart of Africa, supported throughout by Steve and Jack from Great Road Journeys. The logistics were expertly handled—our role was simply to arrive on time, follow instructions, drive carefully, and savour every moment.​

Everything else was taken care of: reliable self-drive vehicles, a thoughtfully planned route, daily maps, comfortable accommodations, and delicious dinners each night. To ensure peace of mind, we received round-the-clock phone support throughout the trip—though we seldom needed it, knowing help was always close at hand made all the difference.​

A shared experience with new friends

As in India, we travelled alongside 20 British couples, each in their own vehicles provided by Great Road Journeys. Mornings began with a briefing, and evenings were spent sharing stories and laughs from the day. The camaraderie was exceptional—making new lifelong friends was one of the journey’s greatest rewards and we hope to welcome them all to NZ one day soon.​

The adventure begins

Travel from Wellington to Windhoek, Namibia, was a long haul via Singapore and Johannesburg. Rested and excited, we gathered with our companions for our first briefing, ready to set off on a two-week circuit around Namibia, mostly on gravel roads—a true African odyssey.​

Daily highlights

Motorhoming isn’t all sunsets and wine. Laundry, groceries, and route planning still take time. Build in space for life admin so you can enjoy the fun stuff stress-free.

·       Day One: Heading south from Windhoek, we traversed the Kalahari Desert to our first game reserve. Spectacular scenery greeted us on this initial leg—over 250 km of striking desert landscapes.

·       Day Two: A big drive, covering 400 km, ended with breathtaking views of Fish Canyon—rivalling the Grand Canyon in scale and drama. It's a vivid reminder of the deep history carved into the earth.

·       Day Three: Another 400 km saw us reaching Luderitz, a coastal town in the south. After crossing the endless sands, feeling the sea breeze by the Atlantic was a welcome change.

·       Day Four: We visited Kolmanskop, an early German diamond mining town, and traced Namibia’s colonial history. Our journey then led to Sossusvlei—the heart of sand dune country.

·       Day Five: Serious four-wheel driving took us deep into the dunes, where we climbed the formidable "Big Daddy." This was an exhilarating and surreal experience; facing the heights, the only real risk was tumbling into the soft sand below.

·       Day Six: A short drive to Swakopmund, a historic coastal city where we paused for two nights—time for laundry, local exploring, and relaxation.

·       Days Seven & Eight: We took a Great Road Journeys boat tour to a seal colony made famous by David Attenborough and visited the local museum, deepening our understanding of Africa’s rich history. These days provided much-needed context for our adventure and reminded us how young New Zealand is in the scheme of continental evolution.

·       Day Nine: Heading north, we covered 400 km to Palmwag, gateway to Etosha National Park—one of Namibia’s largest and most revered wildlife reserves. Sunset safaris with expert guides revealed a dazzling cast of animals.

·       Days Ten & Eleven: Touring Etosha, we watched wildlife at waterholes and experienced the thrill of seeing giraffes, zebras, and elephants up close. We stayed overnight at a lodge perfectly situated by a busy waterhole and experienced the magic of seeing animals gathering at dusk.

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·       Day Twelve: Driving south to Tsumeb, we reflected on Namibia’s history of conflict and liberation before arriving at Okonjima, home to the renowned Africat leopard and Lion park.

·       Day Thirteen: Our adventure concluded with a leisurely return to Windhoek, marked by a celebratory final dinner with our intrepid companions.

Accommodation and value

Accommodations were as thoughtfully chosen as the route itself: quality 4–5 star hotels, often located by waterholes for wildlife viewing or with breathtaking vistas. The cost per couple was NZ$18,500, excluding flights and personal expenses. While substantial, the experience—and the friendships forged—were truly priceless.​

Invitation: Join us on the next journey

If our story inspires you, Ralph and Anita invite you to join their next adventure. We’re organising a webinar to share more about travel opportunities through Great Road Journeys. We’d love to consider a New Zealand-based group for a future trip—perhaps Peru is next on the list! To RSVP, simply click the button below.

Final reflection: Make the most of retirement

Lifetime receives no financial benefit from these trips—they are simply an outcome of our shared love of travel and the joy it brings in retirement. Whether your dream destination is India, Namibia, or beyond, the message is clear: if you have the opportunity, seize it. Sometimes, you just have to do it.

Calculate what you could draw in retirement.