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Travel

WIDE REWIND
BY 02/15

VESPA ROAD TRIP IN NAMIBIA

SEAN RILEY RODE 5,000 KILOMETRES FROM CAPE TOWN IN SOUTH AFRICA: “YOU CAN’T BUY A HOLIDAY LIKE THIS!”

Sean Riley is a young forty-year-old from South Africa, a keen photographer who enjoys motorbikes, sport, travel, fine wine and technology (he is the founder and CEO of Ad:Dynamo, a leading digital advertising platform in Africa). One day in 1998 (when he was 23), he and a friend were drinking coffee when they suddenly had a bright idea: they loaded the bare minimum on their Vespa scooters and rode off. Sean takes up the story: “With no planning, we left Cape Town and headed for the neighbouring country of Namibia. We travelled north-west, covering 5,000 kilometres in 18 days, through spectacular landscapes, deserts and silence. It was a trip packed with emotions, such as the wonderful view of the Fish River Canyon and the refreshing breaks at the end of a tiring day in the saddle.”

Today, sharing the photos of the trip with the “medium.com” web community, Sean repeats what he said 17 years ago: “You can’t buy a holiday like this!” He’s right. The essence of real freedom is setting off when the mood takes you, driven by a desire for discovery and a taste for adventure: just choose a direction and turn the Vespa ignition key. And you’re off, ready to go anywhere.

CAPE TOWN-WINDHOED: THE HIGHLIGHTS OF THE JOURNEY

Here are some places not to miss on an overland trip from the South African capital Cape Town to the Namibian capital Windhoed (a trip that takes at least 12 days): Cederberg Mountains, Gariep (Orange) River, Ai-Ais Hot Springs, Fish River Canyon, Namib Desert-Naukluft National Park, Sesriem Canyon, Walk in desert-Sosssvlei, Swakopmund, Spitzkoppe, Himba Tribes, Etosha National Park.

Cape Town, South Africa to Fish River Canyon, Namibia

From the stunning Fish River Canyon in southern Namibia to the Etosha National Park in the north, the route is an opportunity to explore the wonders of Namibia. Dawn in the sand dunes of the Namib Desert is the dream of every photographer. Walking with a Bushman and finding out about life in the desert. Crossing the Tropic of Capricorn and arriving in Swakopmund. Travelling on to the Spitzkoppe with its Bushmen rock paintings. Learning about the nomad culture of the Himba people with a visit to a traditional village. And reaching the Etosha Park, with its huge salt pans, wide open plains and water holes, a marvellous opportunity to see African wildlife.