The Skeleton Coast: Journey Through the Namib Desert [Hardcover]

As I am not one with a sense of adventure myself, I was worried that the journey might not hold my attention. However, Benedict is not a fearsome, cold explorer with the strict views of a scientist. He genuinely appears to be a gentle, every-day guy who, for some reason, is fairly indestructible and managed to accomplish major feats when those with more experience doubted he could. As he travels through the desert, he points out to the reader the fascinating flora and fauna he comes across and bravely reveals his inevitable thoughts of home. He writes with approachable style and never pounds history into the reader's head. Instead, he subtly shares the occasional captivating story that applies to whichever area he is in, whichever shipwreck or ghost town he is passing--just enough to spark your interest, though there is a brief history of Namibia included in the back of the book for optional further delving.

Allen never tries to conquer the desert or control the natives-he exudes a gratitude to both for allowing him to be there, and strives to learn from the indigenous tribal communities. When struggling with his new team of camels, he refuses to use the nose pegs that others do to control them, as it causes them pain. He even contemplates changing his route at danger to himself rather than abandon a camel, one of his 'professional colleagues', that might have difficulty finishing the journey. This caring behaviour was refreshingly unscientific and made the author that much more endearing.

I have never much thought about camels, but the three characters who helped Allen with his substantial trek were so charming, though not always co-operative, that I could hardly wait until I could next pick up the book for further adventures with big grumpy Nelson, troublesome Jan and puppy-like innocent Andries. I almost miss them now and have developed a new fascination for the beasties.

Benedict apparently felt that the end of the journey was almost a let-down. Any reader of the book will feel let down only because it eventually comes to an end. But fear not, the man has written numerous books and shows no sign of stopping, so you can read more about his adventures, as I cannot wait to do.

A very entertaining read, explaining quite a few of the things I was wondering (such as how did he get his camels through the town of Swakopmund without causing carnage...) though in places it is a little disingenous. Benedict makes much of the isolation of the desert and how cut-off from civilisation he is. While this is true, it seems that his supporters could find him rather quickly when they needed to, either by car or aircraft, which makes you realise that if he really got into trouble then a rescue wouldn't be too long in coming. Indeed, during my own time in the Namib, it's surprising just how many people you do come across in the middle of arid nothingness! A case in point, from Swakopmund north to Terrace Bay and beyond there is actually a road following the coast - I assumed the route Benedict took was along the coast and the beach (and so the road), but he actually went quite a long way inland when he reached the Skeleton Coast Park.

Benedict captures the beauty of the Namib very well, from the awesome sand seas of the south to the gravel and scrub of the north. The descriptions of the dust and the extremes of temperature and the effect it has on your body is described to perfection. It is very difficult to write about such an expanse of what is actually pituresque nothingness, but Benedict does it very well, as well as the relationship between himself and his camels. He also gives brief, almost asides, as to what's going on in his head to want to put himself in extreme terrains and situations like this. A very good read.