Holiday anniversary: 40 times 'Out of Africa' in Namibia

They first visited Namibia in 1998. "Never again," was their conclusion after their first tour. And yet, two years later, they returned. And every year since. Often even twice a year. This time, they celebrated their 40th holiday anniversary. This undoubtedly makes Irmtraud and Christian Ernst among Namibia's most loyal fans.

Like a scene from the movie 'Out of Africa': Irmtraud and Christian Ernst enjoying a sundowner with a view of the vast expanse on the edge of the Namib Desert southeast of Sesriem. Photo: Christian Ernst

 "We didn't enjoy our first Namibian holiday at all," Irmtraud and Christian told Namibian.org. "A terrible trip, very rushed, almost every day at a different place." It had been planned by Christian's brother, who had already been to Namibia the previous year.

As they boarded the plane, they were in agreement: "We're not going back there." Yet Namibia actually offered everything they were looking for in a vacation. They had travelled through Sweden and Norway as self-drivers, exploring the natural beauty on their own.

So, they decided to give Namibia a second chance. In May 2000, Irmtraud and Christian embarked on another road trip, this time alone and planning their own itinerary. During their three-week vacation, they fell in love with the country. They were captivated by the vastness of Namibia, its landscapes, its wildlife and its people.

After three more vacations with a rental car, they bought their own car in 2005. From then on, they travelled to the vacation destination of their dreams almost twice a year. They took three to six weeks to explore, staying up to seven days in each place.

In February in the south, in September in the north

"We're always in the south in February/March," Irmtraud and Christian explain. A standard stop is Klein-Aus Vista near Aus. They also always visit the port town of Lüderitz.

Their second Namibian vacation of the year takes place in September/October. "Then we drive through northern Namibia." Their stops include Bambatsi between Outjo and Khorixas in the northwest, the Hamakari Guest Farm at Waterberg, and the Mahangu Safari Lodge on the Okavango River near Mahango National Park.

Walking for miles through lion territory

 Not exactly the most pleasant experience: In February 2004, Irmtraud and Christian Ernst got stuck with their rental car in Mahangu National Park in the northeast of Namibia. Photo: Christian Ernst

During their 39 previous holidays in Namibia, Irmtraud and Christian Ernst have certainly experienced a lot. Their most adventurous experience was probably in March 2004, when their rental car got stuck in knee-deep mud in Mahango National Park.

"I went to the nearest crossroads, scratched arrows into the ground and made arrow signs out of sticks," Christian recalls. "It wasn't until I got to the crossroads, a few kilometres from the car, that I remembered there were lions in the park."

Eventually, another tourist came along and then informed the lodge. This meant the couple didn't have to spend the night in the car. Around 6:30 p.m., a powerful vehicle arrived and pulled them out. Even so, they had been stuck for eight hours.

Their holiday in February/March 2020 ended in an exciting way. In Lüderitz, they learned that the borders were about to be closed. Because of Corona. The next day, they drove straight back to Windhoek, but couldn't get a seat on the plane.

As they didn't want to wait in Windhoek for the scheduled repatriation flight, they set off for Bambatsi. In Outjo, they received word at midday that the flight would take place that very evening.

Instead of turning around immediately, they drove another 80 kilometres to the guest farm and enjoyed coffee and cake there. Then they went on a four-hour drive directly to the airport. They returned to Germany on one of the last repatriation flights.

Just like in the movie 'Out of Africa'

 Like a scene from the movie 'Out of Africa': Irmtraud and Christian Ernst enjoying a sundowner with a view of the vast expanse on the edge of the Namib Desert southeast of Sesriem. Photo: Christian Ernst

Among their most memorable experiences, however, was a surprise champagne breakfast in the bush. "As compensation for forgetting to pick us up from the deerstand by the waterhole for lunch the day before," Christian said with a grin. "We felt like we were in the movie 'Out of Africa' while having breakfast."

Years earlier, Irmtraud and Christian must have already contracted the dreaded, incurable Bacillus namibiensis. Still, why go to Namibia every year? Why not go somewhere else for a change? "We know our way around here; every visit to our accommodations is like a personal reunion."

And why not move to Namibia permanently? Christian shakes his head: "Then it wouldn't be a vacation anymore." And Irmtraud adds: "Besides, we'd be too far away from our three daughters."

Now the two are celebrating their 40th Namibia anniversary. And 20 years with their own car. And their 15th year of retirement. Incidentally, they also celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary, the 'silver' one, in Namibia.

And what's next? Are they aiming for their 50th? "That depends on our health." Christian is already 80, Irmtraud 76. "And on our car. It's a 1992 model." However, the vehicle always has plenty of time to recover from the road trips. Like now, again: their 41st vacation will take place 'not until' February.

"The plans are already in place," Irmtraud Ernst wrote to Namibian.org via WhatsApp. While the two have only just returned to Germany after their multi-week road trip.