As the first light of dawn stretched over the Lüderitz Waterfront, we gathered at the jetty, greeted by the crisp morning air and the promise of adventure. The crew of Penguin Catamaran Tours—Skipper Christo and deckhand Eslon—welcomed us aboard with warm smiles, their enthusiasm setting the tone for what would be an unforgettable journey. Along with our warm welcome, we each received a branded buff, a thoughtful memento. A few other guests joined us, and after a quick safety briefing, we pulled on our jackets against the brisk sea breeze. The Namibian flag fluttered proudly on the catamaran, a vibrant splash of colour against the soft morning sky.
I grew to love mountains. Born and raised in the Omaheke Region of Namibia, I was accustomed to flat, sandy plains and thorny vegetation. Apart from family holiday trips to the coast with its frigid Atlantic depths and wind-whipped dunes, this pretty much encapsulated what I knew and understood of landscape, and, of the world.
I will never forget my first visit to Damaraland. In a sturdy, built-up Land Rover called Kangombe, we arrived at the camp well after sunset. Dinner was a boisterous affair. The camp staff sang around a campfire, and our guide sat with all the other guests at a long family-style dinner table, sharing tales of adventures in this rugged corner of the country.
