In many ways, Namibia is the perfect holiday getaway for anyone who likes a bit of an adventure. It has the wide open spaces where you won’t see anyone for miles, it has the extraordinary accommodation and cities where you can become an urban explorer, and it has those epic landscapes that can best be seen on foot.
Hiking is a past time that many people all over the world enjoy. But there is a huge difference between hiking in the desert and hiking anywhere else. The desert is known for its dryness and the fact that very little survives here without a bit of a struggle. For this reason, and so many others, when you are planning a hiking trip into any kind of desert environment, whether you are a part of a guided Namibia safari or if you are on your own with just a group of friends and family, it is important to have some tips for your hiking holiday.
When hiking in the desert you have to be sure that you are fully prepared for any eventuality, as it can be life or death out there.
- You need to think ahead of the heat
In the desert, the heat comes quickly. It can be quite cold during the night, but the moment the sun pops out that all changes and you are thrown back into the harshness of summer. For this reason, it is quite important that you make sure that you plan your hiking times just right, and start out as early as you can to avoid becoming overwhelmed. You can also think of hiking later in the day as well. Hiking at night is not unheard of in the desert, because the moon is stunningly bright as there is no light pollution.
- You need to plan for breaks
Think of it as a mini siesta. Making time to take a break in the afternoons, especially between the hours of 12pm and 3pm, which are the hottest parts of the day, will give you time to relax away from the full heat of the sun. Siestas are very common in many African countries during the summer months when the heat becomes too much.
- You need to get wet
Our bodies are pretty amazing when it comes to staying cool. Usually, we will sweat when it is hot out but in the desert, the heat is a dry kind and that lack of humidity means you are not likely to sweat all that much. For this reason, you can occasionally wet your shirt or your hat and allow the sun to evaporate the moisture, leaving you feeling cooler.
- You need to stay hydrated
This one certainly goes without saying. When you are hiking and losing fluids, especially when you are out in the heat, you need to be constantly drinking something to replace that lost fluid. If you don’t you will quickly end up dehydrated.
- You need salty snacks
Water is not always the best energy replacement. Your body is going to need salts and a great way to add that extra salt is to bring a salty snack, such as salty biscuits, biltong, nuts and seeds, and even veggies.
If you are going to be embarking on a Namibia safari, and you are going to be going on a hiking adventure, make sure that you keep these tips in mind.