29 November 2012

{Holiday Travel Plans}

As you may have seen on twitter, Jurg and I have some exciting holiday travel plans up our sleeves this year!

We'll be heading on a month long road trip through Jurgen's birth-country of Namibia and will also be passing through the neighboring country of Botswana on the way.  To say I'm excited would be the understatement of the century.  I've even mapped out our route :)


Our trip will be starting in Jo'burg, cutting through Botswana, and then heading into Namibia where we'll be spending Christmas on Jurgen's family farm.  From there we're heading to the south of the country and spending four nights in Sossusvlei {famous for it's picturesque sand dunes} before driving up the coast to Hentiesbaai for some fishing {Jurgen's choice ;)}.  After Henties we'll be spending three nights in the adorable little German town of Swakopmund, which I've visited before and absolutely adore.  We're then heading towards the northern section of the country and spending five nights in the beautiful Etosha National Park, making a quick stop in Omaruru on the way.  After Etosha we'll slowly {emphasis on slowly} be making our way back to Johannesburg - spending a night in Windhoek {Namibia's capital city}, a night on the Orange River, and then our final night in Kuruman before arriving back in Johannesburg to start the year.

That results in a total of 15 destinations and 6,041 km {3,754 miles} of traveled road!  It also marks the longest trip Jurgen and I have ever taken together.  It's bound to be one long, thrilling adventure!

Of course, this means I won't be flying home to California for Christmas this year and I'd be lying if I said that I wasn't at least a little bit bummed out about it.  But, since I was already there a few months back in September, and because Jurg and I both will be flying out in May for my brother's wedding - I decided to rather count my pennies and keep my feet planted firmly on the African continent this holiday season.  Luckily, I have some pretty awesome travel plans to keep me from feeling too sorry for myself ;)

As our departure date gets closer, I'll be sure to share more details about the logistics surrounding our trip.  We'll be partnering with some pretty phenomenal lodges and guest houses along the way and I can't wait to share all of the highlights of our tour with you!

What are your holiday plans this year?

24 comments:

  1. WOW am I jealous now! hehe
    You guys must have FUN!
    My father and his fiance went to Namibia in August for a holiday! They loved it! Also a roadtrip and since I've seen their photo's I've been itching to go. But we will be hitting Mossel Bay this December and next year we are saving our pennies to go to Mauritius as much as possible!
    xxx

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  2. I didn't know he wasn't South African! How great to have an excuse to travel - after all,you have to see family :)

    have an amazing time! My longest trip with Jon (not counting to DC when we were both living in London) was a HUGE learning curve for our relationship. The adventure brings out so many quirks in your SO that you don't usually have to deal with... I know you know this, though, so have fun!

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  3. How awesome! Can't wait to hear about it! Every time I come to your blog, I think to myself "wow what an awesome life she lives!" :)

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  4. I would LOVE to go to Namibia. Friends went last Christmas and had a blast. It is on my list! i am off to Amsterdam to freeze for then onwards to Scotland to hibernate!

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  5. wow, it sounds like you have the most amazing trip ahead of you! i have never been to africa and i definitely want to one day but until then, i will live my travels through your blog :) xx

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  6. Your trip sounds amazing! I wish I had a trip planned for the holidays, but we just got married this year and went on a honeymoon to Europe, so we have no money for a trip right now! I will live vicariously through your photos. And I better start planning a trip for next year!

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  7. I'm so jealous of your trip, it looks amazing - have a fantastic time :)

    http://Heidi-likes.blogspot.co.uk

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  8. Wowsers! I'm sorry you won't get to see your family, but it sounds amazing!

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  9. What ana amazing trip. 3 years ago we spent December in Namibia based in Swakop and then travelled around. Such a stunning country!!
    Botswana is on my "must see" list.
    We're visiting my parents in the Eastern Cape and travelling to weddings.

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  10. Such an awesome trip planned Jen! You are going to absolutely love it all, and it will definitely make up for you not being back in the States!

    Looking forward to reading your updates x

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  11. Oooh how awesome!!

    If I might make one suggestion, if you don't have your heart set on crossing the Orange River, or you can squeeze in an extra night or four why not stop at the Kgalagadi Transfrontier National Park?
    In fact, in stead of cutting acorss MMBN* in Botswana (points 1-3 on your map) why not drive to the KTNP and spend a few nights there before heading off into Namibia? So long as you clear immigration etc. at Twee Riveren you can actually go through the park and into Namibia. It's an AMAZING place with some of the BEST large predator and other gorgeous creatures. The campsites and chalets are lovely.

    Also, that time of the year it is stupidly hot. Take LOTS of water for the car (more than you think you'll need) and be very careful about sun-cream & hats & stuff!

    *MMBN = Miles & miles of bloody nothing!

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  12. This is going to be amaze-balls and so nice to spend so much time together before your crazy year next year! Will miss you Jenna-girl!!

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  13. Have a BLAST! My husband and I volunteered for three months in Namibia a few years ago, and we fell in love with the country! If you have not booked your hotel in Swakopmund, check out The Alternative Space. IT is a great little family run B&B with great rates and a funky feel. We often dream about going back! Cannot wait to see your pictures!

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  14. Holy moly that is one big ol' road trip! It's going to be incredible I'm sure and will help to keep the holiday homesickness at bay :)

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  15. That sounds absolutely amazing! I can't wait to read about your road trip stories through Africa! We take off in two weeks for Puerto Rico and then New York, but I need to get on planning :) Maybe an African road trip will be our next years plan!

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  16. Looks like the ultimate roadtrip! If you and Jurg can survive a month in the car with each other, then I'm confident that you can make it through anything life throws your way. Can't wait to read all about the trip :)

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  17. Sounds absolutely amazing and so much fun! I am sure you will have a great time and I am looking forward to see all your pictures!! I will be going to Western Australia in a 10 days with my parents and then to Tasmania in January with my love and his best friend! Good times ahead I hope :D

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  18. Oh gosh! You just have to love travel planning! It's almost as much fun as traveling, haha. And your trips sounds so exciting! :)

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  19. Amazing.. I am sure you will miss being home - but what an incredible experience. I can't wait to see your recaps of all of the places you're visiting!

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  20. wohoo! that's so amazing! can't wait to see all your pictures!

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  21. I love your holiday travel plans! And umm how did you do that super cool map!!? I need to figure that one out!

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  22. Wow, so jealous of all of your holiday plans! I want to be in Africa right now! Looking forward to following along on all of your adventures!

    I will be in snowy Minnesota this Christmas with my family. I always love going home for the holidays :)

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  23. seriously amazing! i had no idea he was born in namibia! i have always wanted to go down to that area and do a road trip. perhaps your photos from this trip will persuade me to thing it is not completely a far fetched idea :)

    cant wait to see how it goes! what a wonderful way to spend the holidays.

    ill be in belarus. definitely not as exciting or picturesque...but may still come back with some crazy stories ;)

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Thanks for the love!