Namibia 2012

From Cape Town we started heading west along the skeleton coast named for very good reason, there are LOTS of shipwrecks there.

Leaving the coast we drove into yet another haven for wildlife, the Kalahari desert where we spent a few nights in !Xaus Lodge.

Heading to the Kalahari past Quiver trees

To reach the !Xaus Lodge we had to drive into the desert

We each had our own hut to stay in

The Kalahari is famous for its wildlife and it certainly didn't disappoint as the few samples below hopefully show...

Pygmy falcon - smallest bird of prey in Africa

Lion nonchalantly strolling towards our vehicle

Mother caring for its 'baby'

Bee-eater 

Two cheetahs searching for prey... unsuccessfully

The Kalahari certainly did not disappoint and it was also the first time we experienced lions walking very close to our trusty troopy.

After the Kalahari it was more rough dusty roads into the wilderness in order to visit Fish River Canyon, the largest canyon in Africa with its giant ravine of about 160kms long, up to 27kms wide and in places almost 550m deep... its BIG!

Our accomodation for 2 nights was virtually on its canyon's edge, so sleep walking was definitely not recommended!

Look very carefully at the near right hand side of the canyon and you will see our row of accommodation on the edge

Now Namibia is renowned for being dry, very very dry, especially in the Namib desert...

Rest break driving through the Namib Desert

...but also in one of the most visited areas called Sesriem... the home to those huge sand dunes, stunning colours and the famous salt lake called Deadviei.

One of the many dunes in Sesriem at sunrise

The view to more of the dunes after climbing part way up another

The salt lake and 'skeleton' trees of Deadviei

Our cabin accomodation was very good as was the dining area, especially after a long day climbing the massive dunes or hiking into and across the salt lake called Deadvei.  A nice cold drink was just the thing as sunset engulfed us.

Rob in front of the very comfortable cabin with views to the dunes

Dining area in Sesriem

aaaah... watching the sun set

Many European countries have over the years immersed themselves into Africa and it was Swakopmund, on the coast of Namibia, that the Germans founded in 1892.  

This city is now a beach resort and it became our base to enjoy more of the wildlife found along the coastline...

touchdown!

There were literally thousands of seals along the coast 

Graceful flamingo

...but it was from the air we better appreciated the nature of the Namibian landscape, stunning indeed.

The landscape is stark but beautiful

However the wildlife was beckoning us yet again so we started the 500km journey northwest towards a very popular and famous wildlife sanctuary in Africa, the 22,270 squ km National Park called... Etosha.

A sign of things to come

This park gets its name from the 'Etosha Pan', all 4,760 squ kms of normally salt pan but before entering into Etosha proper we visited a village housing the Himba, one of the few remaining groups in Africa still living the way they always have.

Himba lady wearing her 'crown' from the time she reached puberty

The village was filled mainly with women and children, many of whom were attending an outdoor school in the village.  We were shown and taught elements of their culture and interacted with many of these very proud people through a local guide.

Girl enjoying a little decadence for them

They are covered in butter fat and ochre laced with  nice smelling oils

The warning of elephants crossing the road soon became very real as we drove deep into Etosha National Park, a large herd of these behemoths bathing in dust to protect their skin and keep the bugs at bay.

The wildlife certainly abounds in Etosha but here are just a few...

Typical pose by Zebras

Very rare black rhino

Hornbill 

Orynx looking out across the huge Etosha Pan

Albeit a very dry and stark country, Namibia is rich in scenery, wildlife and truly friendly people with a great sense of humour and as we passed increasing numbers of villages... 

Villagers collecting water

... and we were dramatically reminded why you never drive in Africa at night... animals!

Did not look good for the driver of the car.

It was time for yet another border crossing, this time into Botswana, so until then, go well.

Note:  In the last post of our trip through southern Africa (Zambia) is a link with additional wildlife photos.