Comments received from Dr. William Lang 

(an American tourist on Adventures Abroad Group to Namibia in April 2006)

Excerpts quoted from a report written by Dr. Lang, following his trip. Dr. Lang was a former Officer in the US Navy and holds a Ph.D. in classical theatre.

“Our tour leader was Dr. Hu Berry, a white former South African and now a Namibian man in his mid sixties who I soon discovered was the ideal tour leader for Namibia. A trim and friendly, handsome, soft-spoken man with short grey hair, Hu had a slew of degrees from both Afrikaans and English Universities. He held a Ph.D. in desert ecology and had been the chief Biologist at Etosha National Park from 1974 to 1988 and the Supervisor at both Etosha and Namib National Parks before mandatory retirement two years ago. Extremely knowledgeable and helpful, Hu spoke English, Afrikaans and German fluently, and he lived in Swakopmund with his German-born wife. They have a couple of adult sons. Having Hu as our tour leader was like having the Director of the American National Parks Service take you on a private guided tour of Yellowstone National Park. Hu literally made the tour, and I can’t speak highly enough of him. Bravo Hu, Bravo!”

“That afternoon back at the Lodge, Hu explained the Namib Desert to us. He had been the Supervisor of the National Park and he knew the area like the back of his hand. His talk was more than just interesting and informative. Very impressive. Bravo Hu!”

“After we had eaten, Hu asked us to collectively put our leftovers in a doggie bag that he would take with him to give to the security guard at his house, who he said didn’t get paid much and who would very much appreciate the meal. We did and from then on whenever we ate at a restaurant that didn’t serve a buffet for lunch or dinner, Hu would collect our leftovers and take the doggie bags and give them to his former employees at Etosha National Park. Hu had been in the South African Air Force and he didn’t forget what every officer in the military knows is the first rule of command. Always take care of your people. ‘Bravo Zulu’ Hu. That’s ‘Well Done’ in US Navy talk”.

“Hu was going home to Swakopmund for a well deserved two week rest before heading out on another tour of his Namibia. Thank you, Hu. Thank you very much”.