Today we continue with the comparison between Namibia and Germany. I hope you enjoyed the first part and that you will like the second part at least as much 🤗
Roads
The streets in Namibia are similar to those in Europe, at least in the cities. Many street names are reminiscent of the German colonial era. For example, there is Schiller Street, Frieden Street, Burg Street, Kost Street and many others!
The streets are paved and there are traffic lights and signs. You don't know what kind of questions I have received, some people think there are no proper roads and rules here 😂.
The main connecting roads are all tarred, you can usually drive up to 120 km/h and get to your destination easily. When you drive out of Windhoek, you always pass roadblocks, these are for safety on the roads, sometimes, not always, they check whether the driver has a driving licence, all passengers are wearing seat belts and the car is also registered for the road.
The big main roads are all marked with an A or B. When you leave these roads, you usually have to drive on them. When you leave these roads, you usually drive on C roads or even D roads. These are usually not tarred, but gravel or sand roads. You don't necessarily need four-wheel drive for these roads, but it is much more comfortable to sit in a higher car with proper shock absorbers than in a small car in which you feel every stone :D You can drive up to 100 km/h on these roads, depending on the conditions. But I would always drive a bit slower on principle, there are often sharp stones on the road that are not so easy to spot and you don't necessarily need a flat tyre on your journey.
A C-road in good condition. You can even drive a small car here without any problems. However, not all C-roads are in such good condition!
Living
There are some similarities in terms of living here in Namibia, but also big differences.
If you drive through Windhoek or Swakopmund, for example, you will see a lot of houses, but especially high walls and electric fences. Here, people live just like in Europe, in detached houses, terraced houses, apartment blocks, etc., only a little more protected. Only a little more protected. The measures serve to protect against burglars, which unfortunately is not that rare in Namibia. Nevertheless, it is safe for tourists. Due to the high unemployment rate, many people see no other way out than to sell stolen goods through burglaries. And here comes the big difference to most European countries. Many of the locals live in great poverty, they have neither electricity nor running water in their homes and their houses are not made of brick walls but of corrugated iron and cardboard boxes or anything else you can find. Unfortunately, the government is not very supportive in this case. But you can support some of the many organisations to give these people and their children at least one warm meal a day.
One of the school projects in the Mondesa township in Swakopmund.
Costs
The costs here are also very different compared to Germany. For a holidaymaker, the prices in the restaurants are a super bargain. A 400g T-bone steak for only 12 euros with a side dish? You won't find that in Germany! One night in a super lodge with breakfast and dinner for 120 euros per person, a great deal!
Yes, for visitors who have a normal monthly income in Germany or Europe, I can only agree. For locals, however, it's a different story. The average income in Namibia is 120 euros a month! And many have to get by with even less. Of course, there are others who earn several thousand euros a month, but most don't earn that much. These people cannot simply do their weekly shopping in the supermarket for just under 100 euros or go out to eat with the family in a restaurant, let alone live in a better residential area in a brick house and pay rent.
You always have to keep the comparison in mind, but of course it is good to come here to Namibia as a tourist and support the economy!
Don't forget to tip when you go to a restaurant! This is not included in the price and should usually be at least 10%, or more if you are satisfied with the service!
Animals
A very big difference! Of course, dogs, cats, birds and small animals are also kept here as pets. But wild animals are very different compared to Germany. 😅
Whereas in Germany or Europe you have to be careful, especially at dusk, that no wild boar or deer runs in front of your car, in Namibia it is warthogs or zebras. Even lions or elephants are not so rare in nature. Many tourists think they only live in the national parks, but unfortunately this is completely wrong!
They can also surprise you on the campsites, so always keep your eyes and ears open when you hear something! Elephants like to walk around campsites at night and damage the water pipes and lions also like to walk around at night. I have not heard of people being attacked by animals at night in the last few years, but better safe than sorry!
In the national parks you should also stay in the car and not lean out of the car if you spot a pride of lions. You never know what's lurking behind you 😉
That's it for the second part. I hope you enjoyed it and gained an insight into the differences that stand out. It's very similar, but somehow also very different, isn't it? 😂