By: Galen McGlynn
Greetings from Namibia!
It’s been quite an eventful week! Between bumpy roads, stunning landscapes, and some of the best wildlife sightings of my life, Namibia has truly been an adventure. We’ve had our share of laughs, mishaps, and even some meaningful reflections. Let me take you through it, starting with our road trip to Etosha National Park!
Monday, 28th
Our journey began with a long drive—six hours from Swakopmund to Etosha. The roads here are a wild ride, literally. For the majority of the drive, we were on paved roads, but as we got closer to Etosha, the roads became quite rough; they’re unpaved, bumpy, and had the whole car rattling. The car’s side mirrors were so loose from the constant vibration that we actually had to tape them down to keep them from falling off. Roadside scenery was vast and rugged, and though the ride was exhausting, it felt like an adventure before we even reached the park.
By the time we arrived at Etosha, everyone was ready to stretch out and relax a bit. Our first night, we checked out the famous watering hole, which sits just a little bit up the road from the campsite. Imagine a peaceful, moonlit scene where animals gather around the water to drink—it was unreal to watch rhinos, elephants, and lions quietly appearing from the bush for a nighttime drink. We all watched in awe, and it felt like the perfect introduction to Etosha.
Tuesday, 29th
Safari day! We woke up at 5:30 am, and headed out for the park by 6 a.m. Surprisingly the air was really chilly in the morning—definitely colder than expected for the desert. We piled into the safari truck, bundled up, and eagerly waited for the sun to rise. As it came up, casting warm light over the park, we got our first glimpses of the wildlife: rhinos grazing in the distance, a hyena sleeping on the side of the road, and eventually a parade of zebras. There’s nothing quite like seeing these animals in their natural habitat; it makes you realize just how small you are in the world.
Later in the safari, we even saw some giraffes, wildebeests, ostriches, and some elephants wandering right next to us. At one point, our car broke down—right in the middle of the park, and while it was really cool to be near an elephant, however, I worried it would take that opportunity to come too close to the car. Definitely added a bit of drama to the morning, but after a few tense minutes, we were back on the move.
We returned to camp tired but exhilarated, and spent the afternoon unwinding by the pool. Registering for next semester’s classes was a little stressful given our minimal internet connection, but fortunately it all worked out. Finally we capped off the day with one last evening at the watering hole, knowing it’d be our final night in Etosha.
Wednesday, 30th
The drive back to Windhoek was rough—definitely the low point of the trip for many of us. A lot of people weren’t feeling well, myself included, and the long ride only made it worse. We had to stop a few times, and I found myself running for the nearest restroom at every break. Traveling can be glamorous, but sometimes it’s gritty. Luckily people always have medicine and things to helo each other out. We finally made it back to Windhoek, and despite feeling drained, I was grateful to settle in and take it easy for the rest of the day.
Thursday, 31st (Halloween!)
After a few days of excitement and exhaustion, we settled back into classes in Windhoek, diving into some big-picture discussions in our ethics course. One of the main topics we tackled was voluntourism—a topic I hadn’t considered so deeply until now. We debated the idea that while many of us travel with good intentions, our presence can actually do harm. By volunteering, we sometimes take away job opportunities from locals who could do the work better and with more cultural understanding.
This idea of voluntourism as neo-colonialism really hit home. It’s easy to want to help, but sometimes it’s more about feeling good ourselves than creating actual change. Are we here to “do good,” or just to feel good about ourselves? One takeaway was the need to involve locals directly in any projects, ensuring that they can continue the work long after volunteers leave. It’s clear we have to be thoughtful and intentional if we truly want to make a lasting impact.
From the highs of the safari to the thought-provoking discussions in class, Namibia has been an eye-opening experience so far. There’s so much to absorb and so much more to come—I can’t wait to share what’s next!
Galen
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