British couple spend lockdown in desert

Ronelle RademeyerWINDHOEKIf it was not for the coronavirus pandemic and global travel restrictions, a British couple would have been halfway through Africa and on their way back to their hometown, Bossingham, in England.But Keith Tame and his wife, Julie Osborne-Tame, did not allow the pandemic to completely ruin their travel plans.The travel-mad couple have done several tours through Africa, and store their well-equipped Land Rover in South Africa until it's time to hit the road again.Keith said they arrived in South Africa shortly before the Springboks beat England in the final of the Rugby World Cup last year. Their plan was to tour the southern part of the continent and then drive through Africa to England.39 days on a duneWhile they were in Namibia, the coronavirus state of emergency was announced, and borders were closed. The couple decided against taking a repatriation flight home, instead spending 39 days on a dune in the Kalahari. This was while news of the devastating impact of Covid-19 in Britain and elsewhere in the world reached them every now and then.Julie said they camped at Dunesong Breather near Koës. Keith, an electrical engineer, erected a pole on the highest dune which had cellphone reception, and they hoisted a cellphone onto their makeshift cell tower. This enabled them to create a Wi-Fi hotspot so all their other devices had internet connection. An article about their lockdown adventures in Namibia will appear in the October edition of Land Rover Owner International, Julie said.Further travelsOnce the lockdown regulations were relaxed, they travelled north to the Kavango and Caprivi, touring the northwest of the country as well as the Etosha National Park.Namibian Sun's sister publication, Republikein, spoke to the couple while they were in Windhoek to get their trusted Land Rover serviced, and stock up for the next leg of their tour - this time to Spitzkoppe.Apart from their blog, campingafrica.co, the couple also regularly update their Facebook page, Julie and Keith Africa Adventures, about their lockdown experiences in Namibia.They mentioned that they met other tourists at camping spots who decided to spend the lockdown period in Namibia, instead of returning to their home countries. According to Julie, they are regularly in contact with the British High Commission in Windhoek to let them know that they're still doing well.Hit close to homeWhile in Namibia they were largely safe from the coronavirus due to their isolation, but Julie's best friend in England lost both her husband and mother to the virus.She said it breaks her heart that she couldn't be there for her friend, but added that even if she was back in England, they wouldn't be able to see each other due to the regulations. If everything goes according to plan, the couple will return home in September, when borders are opened again for international flights.

British couple spend lockdown in desert

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Namibian Sun 2025-06-18

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British couple spend lockdown in desert

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Namibian Sun 2025-06-18

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