Expedition Kaokoveld

In the early days of tourism in Namibia in the mid-1950s, travelling north was an entirely different kind of experience.

Long before Hilux bakkies equipped with rooftop tents cruised the roads, open 4x4 trucks enclosed with canvas would convey passengers and luggage. One truck would be reserved for passengers, usually locals with their overseas friends, and the other for luggage and equipment. The photo depicts the scene of loading the truck before the expedition could get underway in the morning. Several sleeping rolls are visible among the luggage. The travellers slept on the ground in sleeping rolls, which were waterproofed in case of rain, and with no extra space in the vehicle for items like chairs also served as seats around the fire.

Times have changed dramatically since then, enabling ease and comfort. What remains the same, however, is the incredible excitement and pleasure of going on a Namibian adventure.