Namibia 1

Today we arrived in Namibia. There were baboons on the sides of the runway.The first thing we noticed was the wide open spaces and the lack of people. Our ranger guide Christian told us 60% of population live on the tribal lands north of Etosha National Park.

 
 Photo source: http://www.namibian.org/travel/lodging.htm
 Leaving only 40% of population for vast spaces below Etosha National Park 

                     Namibian landscape
                 Photo Credit: Rachael Costello

Windhoek is the size of other small African capitals, but very clean. It's architecture balances its German history with modern buildings.

                  Photo source: http://namibia.places.co.za/windhoek.html

Namibia is a jewel of African Nations. They have a democratic constitution that has protection of the wildlife and land written into it. Conservation is cultural in Namibia, it's in their genes. Unlike the rest of Africa, there is very little corruption and  because there is such a small population its hard to hide bad behavior and corruption. Government officials actually go to jail here if found corrupt. Crime is very low because it is taken seriously. There are two sets of laws here the government laws and the tribal laws, both harsh. On the tribal lands punishment is equivalent, stealing, you lose a hand, trespassing on protected land, shoot first ask why later. Government laws include trial and jail time, on tribal lands punishments include naked, public floggings until holder of the whip is tired. As a result people are generally law abiding. Although there was a little litter on the main road, Namibia is very clean. Also, Namibia doesn't allow shanty towns. So you don't see that grinding poverty that you do in other African nations. 

Namibia values their tourism, they have a special police unit to assist tourists. Theft is the biggest concerns here, but if you take precautions your possessions will be safe.  The roads are great. We traveled on a dirt road for three hours into Naukluft National Park and the road was very good. No place in the world are the road graters more revered. Namibians fight to keep a good road grater in their community. 

I did have to pay a rand to use the bathroom on the way here, and I just had to pay to get a password for the wireless here in Solitaire.