In the tropics.
The trip
Below is a very rough sketch of my recollection of our
Namibian itinerary. Some of the exact events may be
recorded in the wrong days or missed and places may be
confused. But it does provide a broad indication of the
trip.
Friday 22/12: TGV Train
Brussels-Paris Nord. SAA flight Paris-Jo'burg
overnight.
Saturday 23/12: Early flight
Jo'burg-Windhoek. There we meet the 10 others on the trip
and Francisco our guide, together with our driver and his
attractive wife (who subsequently made great salads and
evening meals). Into a familiar (from our Botswana visit)
Mercedes truck and off immediately towards the Namib. Much
rain in the mountains. Mercedes leaked! Camped at the
Namibgrens
Guest Farm.
Sunday 24/12: Onward to Sesriem
in the Namib desert. Pitch tents in campsite
just inside the Soussusvlei park and took a 4km afternoon
walk in blistering sun to the
canyon. The truck had to be sought to being one of our
number, suffering from heatstroke, back. Some of us took
advantage of the free ride. Patrice and others
walked.
Monday 25/12: Up at 5 a.m. to be
at the Sossusvlei dunes at 6 a.m.. Climbed up dune 45.
Later we explored other dunes, including dune 15. Then on
the road to Naukluft Park. Stopped in Solitaire, home of
the Toyota tree advertisement. Crossed the Tropic of
Capricorn after the trucks papers were examined at length
at a police/army checkpoint.
Tuesday 26/12: We see the desert
flora, including the 1500 year old Welwitschia - a plant
only found in the Namib, the moonscape, etc. Headed for
Swakopmund. Free in the town for several hours. In late
afternoon we take classic flight on small plane with
Atlantic
Aviation seeing Swakopmund, Kuiseb Canyon, Tsondabvlei,
the shifting sand dunes (highest in the world), Sossusvlei,
Diamond mines in restricted Diamond Area, Conception Bay
(seals), ship wrecks, Sandwich Harbour, salt pans
(Flamingos), Walvis Bay, and back to Swakopmund. Camp just
out of the town in the Sophia Dale
camp.
Wednesday 27/12: We head up the
coast to
Cape Cross and the seal colony there. We go on to
Spitzkoppe, pitch tents at the camp
there and take a long mountain walk.
Thursday 28/12: We stop off at
Uis, visit
the White
Lady, Herrera dress stalls. Camp by a dried up river an
many goats - not entirely sure if it was a regular
site.
Friday 29/12: We see the
organ pipes rock formation & Twyfelfontein, one of
the most important
rock art sites in Africa. See also.
We pitch tents at the Aba-Huab
campsite.
Saturday 30/12: We head up North
through Damaraland. Second puncture. Reaching Opuwo the a
bread van collides, thanhfully marginally with the truck.
We camp in the town, capital of Himba territory. Visit the
Opuwo
Country Hotel.
Sunday 31/12: Visit the Himbas. Remain
for a second day at same campsite.
Monday 1/1: Stay at
Cheetah Guest farm near Kamanjab. Stroke the cheetahs
remembering not to look them straight in the eye, wear
sunglasses or make sudden movements. Watch rescued wild
cheetahs being fed.
Tuesday 2/1: Ethosha.
Many animals/birds seen during our travels in the park.
Stay at Okaukuejo
in the National Park. Amazing floodlit waterhole view with
animals queuing up for access. Jackals roam the camp site
at night and investigate the rubbish bins. We think twice
about nocturnal visits to the WC.
Wednesday 3/1: Ethosha. We stay
at Namutoni
Restcamp in the National Park. The waterhole there was
less frequented than that at Okaukuejo. Many more animals
are seen, including a pride of lions hunting at dusk.
Thursday 4/1: Stay near Waterberg
Plateau/Otjiwarongo in campsite at Hohenfels farm (German
speaking owners). A stroll part way up the mountain until
the going gets too tough. The cactus flowers are impressive
the next morning.
Friday 5/1: Head from the
Waterberg Plateau stopping off at the large artisanal
market at Okahandja run by the Rundu-based Namibian Carvers
Association. Patrice buys a very large wooden crocodile.
Arrive Windhoek late morning. Finally a hotel - the
Roof of Africa!.
Afternoon free in Windhoek. We pass on Joe's Beerhouse game
meal preferring the buffet in the hotel.
Saturday 6/1: Windhoek. Morning
spent shopping, mainly in Craft
centre where I have coffee while Patrice shops and
purchases a large wall-hanging. Late afternoon flight from
Windhoek to Jo'burg.
Sunday 7/1: Arrive Paris after
overnight flight from Jo'burg. One suitcase missing - a
week later it is apparently in Lille and, nearly a month
later, it is delivered! TGV to Brussels arriving 1
p.m.
Advance
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to 2007 trips page
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