NAMIBIA
June 20 to 30 - August 11 to 19
Windhoek
June 20 and  21 
A (very) early start saw us back at the airport to catch our 0745 two-hour Air Namibia flight 703 to Windhoek and the Hotel Pension Christoph.  Whilst we have had a few changes this year with our mode of transport to Sydney, then flying Air Namibia instead of SAA or Comair to Windhoek and accommodation in Sydney and Johannesburg we would never even contemplate changing our accommodation in Windhoek! The ‘Christoph’, run by Amanda, cannot be beaten, as far as we are concerned, for price and hospitality. At R495 per night including breakfast it is worth every ‘cent’. Amanda also arranged a pick-up at the airport costing N250. The pick-up was slightly more expensive than last year, probably due to the massive hike in fuel prices.
We also didn’t change our restaurants, eating the first day at the Ocean Basket (Anne had been ‘hanging out’ for one of their seafood meals for weeks), then at the Café Schneider – both very reasonably priced and popular with tourists and locals alike.
After two nights at the ‘Christoph’ we were slowly getting over our jetlag and looking forward to the real start of the Legend Safari Tour 2008.
August 18 and 19
A 350-kilometre or so drive from Walvis Bay back to the 'Christoph' and time to sort out what things we were going to leave in the Hilux for our 2009 Safari, pack our bags, do some last minute shopping, travel to the airport, and say our fond farewells to the wonderful country of Namibia as our 0930 Air Namibia flight winged its way to Johannesburg and Le Chateau.
SKELETON COAST
Swakopmund more
June 22 to 24
Accommodation: With only about a 360km drive from Windhoek on a bitumen road we soon arrived in Swakopmund to be greeted by Keith and Spring at the Seagull B&B. Situated just across the road from the Atlantic Ocean, the Seagull is great value at N280. You have the choice of several types of rooms all with an en suite, television, hair dryer etc; however we always stay in a downstairs, self-catering unit.
Drinking and dining: We arrived on a Sunday so most businesses and coffee shops were closed so we decided to have lunch at Wimpy’s, and very nice and inexpensive it was too.
Again we had ‘sundowners’ at the Lighthouse Pub and Restaurant  (yes, it’s still there), the Olde Brewery pub (opposite the Lighthouse) or the Bacchus Taverne. The owner of the Bacchus, Thomas Welte, now runs a safari company Abenteuer in Namibia  offering a wide variety of tours.
Lunch was taken at Village Cafe (a great atmosphere) or the Hansa Backerei, and dinner at the Ocean Basket (of course) and The Grapevine. We hadn’t eaten at the latter before so were very impressed by the varied menu, extensive wine list and excellent service. Run by Jurgen and Sabine Baas, The Grapevine can be contacted on 064 404770; it is well worth a try.
Tips: Wireless internet can be found in the arcade which houses Mr Price (I’ve forgotten its name) in the main street.
Weather: Swakopmund can be freezing cold or boiling hot, depending on the direction of the wind, so remember to pack a jacket!
Walvis Bay more
June 25 and 26
Accommodation: Sadly we were unable to get accommodation at our usual place, Ana’s Inn, but owner Andre very kindly organised the Bay Self Catering units in Meersig, run by Ruan and just one street from the waterfront. As the name suggests, the good-sized units are self catering with a refrigerator, oven, cooking and eating utensils, along with an en suite and cable television. Excellent value at N$250 per room per night. There was also secure parking for vehicles.
Drinking and dining: Having only two days at the Bay we once again opted to take lunch at Willie Probst and sundowners and pizzas at the Raft Restaurant (bistro) in the evenings. The pizzas are delicious and the sunsets over the Bay spectacular.
Tip: Wireless internet can be found in the coffee shop at the Protea Pelican Hotel, which has luxurious accommodation set right on the waterfront opposite the Raft. 
Weather: Walvis Bay, like Swakopmund can be freezing cold, so pack a jacket! And it can be boiling hot so keep that in mind also! 
August 15 to 18
Accommodation and dining: As it was a last minute decision to spend three nights at Walvis Bay before making our way to Windhoek for our last two nights in Namibia we couldn't get accommodation at Ana's Inn or the Bay Self Catering, but managed to find a room at  Loubser's B&B/Self Catering. This comprised of twin beds and a double bunk and en suite, plus a bar fridge, stove top and some crockery and cutlery. At N$250 per night it was pretty good value, even if it was a little cramped and did not have television! The units also had a secure parking area.
Again, we ate lunch at Willie Probst and dinner (and drinks) at the Raft Restaurant Bistro. We happened to be in the 'Bay' on Sunday so very few restaurants were open, except for the Spur Steakhouse which was packed out and we were served a delicious meal. Like Swakopmund, Walvis Bay certainly 'dies' on a Sunday, especially after about 1:00pm when the few franchise businesses close.

INLAND
Otavi more
June 27
Accommodation and dining: Again, we stayed at the Otavi Gardens Hotel and Pension (phone+264 67 234336) but this year we stayed in one of the thatched roof cabins situated in the hotel grounds rather than the hotel itself: we thought it would be quieter as we arrived on the last Friday of the month – pay day, when the locals party for hours on end!
The cabins are spacious, and with an en suite, but there is neither television nor tea/coffee making facilities. At N$320 per room per night, including a hearty breakfast, it’s quite good value. The dinner menu hasn’t changed for years, so we always know what we are going to eat!
Rundu
June 28, 29 and 30; August 12 and 13
Like last year, we were lucky to stay with friends for a few days, but there are many lodges and hotels available. This large inland town is growing immensely, with several new arcades either completed during the past 12 months, or being completed. There is a big Chinese influence in this area.
One dining establishment not to be missed is the Forget-Me-Not coffee lounge in one of the new arcades along the main street. Run by Piti and Diana the lounge specialises in delicious homemade cakes and slices and has an extensive luncheon menu. Keith says it makes the best hamburgers in the whole of Africa! During the past 12 months an outside dining area has been created in a beautiful garden setting. This coffee lounge, open from Monday to noon on Saturdays is a hugely popular spot for locals and tourists alike.
Omaruru
August 14
Having suddenly decided to spend three nights in Walvis Bay at this, the end of our holiday we drove the 610-kilometres from Rundu to Omaruru in one hit. It was quite an easy drive, on an exellent bitumen road with very little traffic.
Accommodation: Like last year we stayed in the thatched roof units situated in the grounds of the Omaruru Central Hotel. The rooms are spacious (no television!), clean and each has an en suite containing a shower and bath. At N$380 a night, including breakfast, it's good value. And the evening meal menu is extensive. Omaruru appears to be going ahead in leaps and bounds.
Katima Mulilo
July 1
The 500 or so kilometres from Rundu to Katima passed quickly as the road is in excellent condition and had little traffic. We stopped at Otjiiwaronga to have lunch at the Café Otto Carstensen. This bakerie/café serves excellent food and drinks and is reasonably price. It also has a huge range of cakes and chocolates.
Accommodation and dining: We have stayed at the Mukusi Cabins for many years, so it was our first stop this year – and it hasn’t changed much!! Except, that this year the booking we made in advance was actually noted and a cabin was ready for us! The cost of the two-bed room with en suite was N$400, the same as last year. This does not include breakfast. Oscar was still in charge of the bar and he made us most welcome. Sadly, the restaurant seems to be going downhill fast: the menu hasn’t changed for years and the meal Anne was served (calamari with chips and salad) was appalling. One wonders how anyone can mess up something as simple as that! Unfortunately, the Mukusi restaurant appears to be about the only place in Katima to get an evening meal – this will be looked into more closely when we return towards the end of our holidays!
July 2 we crossed the border at Katima to begin our Zambian safari.
August 11
Accommodation and dining: It was with great sadness we left our friends in Zimbabwe, wondering what fate had in store for them, and crossed the border into Botswana, drove along the highway through the Chobe National Park, and back into Namibia and the Mukusi Cabins. We had phoned through a booking and, amazingly, a room was nearly ready for us - however we had booked a cabin for two and were given one which had three bedrooms, two toilets and an en suite, and a lounge/cooking area (with television), all large enough to house five people! And then they tried to charge us the room rate of N$560 a night! That was quickly nipped in the bud and we paid the normal two-person rate of N$400 per night!! 
Again we had dinner at Muukusi, but for lunch found the delightful Baobab Bistro which served an excellent light meal and is situated in the main street in the block after the turnoff to Kongola. The Bistro also has wireless Internet available but it's a bit pricey at N$20 for 20-minutes.
Katima is another Namibian town showing rapid expansion of its business area.