The wild truth about living remote in Africa

Finding a way to present logistic challenges in an entertaining blog is no small feat. I still gave it a go to transport you into the lives of billions of people on any given day in most developing countries. 

And it is refreshing… Kind of. As much as crossing a desert - which most of Namibia looks like. 

So, you have been dreaming of wide-open skies, breathtaking sunsets, and a life far from the bustling crowds. Weaning yourself off social media. Well, imagine making your home in a remote, desert-like corner of Africa, with no Wi-Fi (or even a GSM signal), no shopping, and no next-door neighbors. 

Sounds like the ultimate adventure, right? It is, a bit like camping, except it never ends, so you need to think it through before trading your urban life for the luxury of a unique scenery and calm.

Water and Petrol: Liquid Golds

Hydration for people and equipment is non-negotiable/vital. Have you ever experienced spending a few days without a tap, a river, or a fresh stream? If you want water, you have to make sure that the pump runs properly and fills up that 5’000l tank. We are talking about supersized Stanley’s here but the water serves for everything: drinking, cooking, washing, watering/irrigating… The water? A little salty, a little gritty as long as the well operates and the day is not too cloudy (we rely on solar panels to pump).

We are fortunate to have strong water tables with good quality water at Löwen River whereas many people in Africa spend several hours a day just to collect water.

The same is not true for petrol, unlike the offshore of Namibia where large discoveries promise riches for the country when they start production in 5-6 years. Therefore, unless we have a rotation of jerry cans and regular trips to the closest petrol station (80km away), vehicles will stand idle. And so will generators. 

Shopping

Forget about a quick run to your local market for groceries. Out here, all the food is deep frozen or grows fresh in the veggie garden (or runs around on four legs…). The meaning of local production and consumption takes a different dimension with no Whole Foods/Carrefour/Aldi/AH or any logistics platform nearby. Cans and stocking up are top of the agenda whenever you are in town. Bigger items (e.g. furniture, appliances, tools) require a trip to Windhoek (c. 550km each way). 

The deep freezer is operated by gas. A smaller 18kg bottle lasts around 20 days. Unless the temperature gets too hot and the freezer door is opened too often. Then, it is a period of plenty for as short as a day!  

First and Only season of Desert’s Netflix: Sun, Sand, and Silence

If you’re lucky and have some capital (most locals can not afford the upfront investment), you’ve got solar panels. If you’re not, it’s candlelight or the mesmerizing colors of your braai. 

Who needs Netflix when you’ve got the Milky Way in full HD every night? Ever thought of a retreat far from buzz, noise, and light pollution. 

Solar panels are game changers: they provide a (relatively) cheap, reliable source of energy that powers most of today’s appliances. Including a geyser that heats up your water instead of chopping wood from small rare trees or bushes. In the freezing nights of winter, a hot shower feels like a real treat. 

You are on MUTE: Can You Hear Me Now? No. No, You Can’t.

Welcome to the “no signal” way of life. Instead of waiting frantically for a single bar to appear on your phone, hacks include installing a long-range repeater that picks up a signal over 80km away or investing in a satellite phone. Learn to enjoy your own and other’s company—because you’re going to have a lot of it, even if there are plenty of places to hide.

Your Weather App Has Never Seen This Kind of Extreme

Think your weather forecasts are unpredictable? Try living in a place where it’s 40°C (104°F) at noon in summer, but freezing by midnight. Insulation of buildings is non-existent so you’ll need warm duvets/covers, someone to put wood in the heater, a winter jacket and socks as well as sunscreen, a hat, and a portable air blower—to survive for 24 hours.

Without being too extreme, Namibia enjoys over 300 days of sun. The combination of desert and altitude (400-500m) means that the weather offers a light breeze at the start and end of the day. Revigorating. 

You only Have the Fun that you Make for Yourself

Contemplating a (re)treat? Real isolation means that there are no neighbors to complain about your music and that you need to bring everything and everyone to the place and back. That includes rubbish and waste. I have always been impressed by the creativity of recycling in the bush (besides certain roadsides). Necessity is the mother of innovation.

Namibians and South Africans call it: “rough and tough”. The idea of making the most out of the local materials or conditions and roughing it. Your senses tune in to any sound, movement, change in color, smell. Dopamine levels change from screens to living in the moment. Being part of the scene.

Far from over-consumption, importing any goods or services adds time, planning and costs. Count a 30-50% premium for the pleasure of living in a remote place. Since COVID and the increase in oil prices (from N$18 to N$23 a liter despite government fixing), many people and enterprises alike had to cut down their traveling. Or pass on the extra cost. 

Fortunately, even if neighbors are kilometers away, a sense of community still prevails. I once needed help at 2am and came unannounced to Wally and Meisje (Canyon Road Farm). They kindly opened their door and made it look like it was the most natural and normal time of the day to show up. A rare feeling in most of our “busy” lives. 

The Verdict

So, are you still packing your bags? Living in a remote, desert-like area is a test of resilience, creativity, and your ability to thrive on the simple things in life—like water and nature. 

If you’re up for the challenge, there’s a beautiful, raw freedom in living at the edge of civilization, where every day is an adventure, and every sunset will give you stories that no city life ever could!

To experience without moderation for a few days or a lifetime.