Blogs from Sossusvlei, Namibia, Africa - page 6

Seit nunmehr 6 Monaten sind wir bereits in Südafrika. Die Zeit fliegt uns nur so um die Ohren! Dieser Bericht wird dieses Mal etwas speziell. Denn wir sind ja am arbeiten hier und nicht am Ferien machen. Deshalb können auch wir Ferien machen. Seit wir hier sind haben wir bereits viel über Namibia gelesen und gehört. Ich (André) verkaufe natürlich auch Namibia und kannte es deshalb bereits ein bisschen besser. Es muss ein faszinierendes Land sein - ein Land für die Seele. Und deshalb haben wir uns entschieden für 2 Wochen ins nördliche Nachbarslands Südafrikas zu reisen. Orange River So sind wir also früh morgens an einem Samstag abgefahren Richtung Grenze. Immerhin knapp 800 km ab Paarl. Eine schöne Strecke am Westrand Südafrikas entlang in den Norden. Wir fuhren durch ein langes Tal namens Citrusdal - ... read more

During our meal last night, three Black-Backed Jackals came into camp obviously interested in our food. Later in the night, whilst we were all tucked up in our tents, they came back, this time as a choir and serenaded us! At 05h30, it was time to get up. The sun wasn't yet in the sky but it was beginning to get light as we went to wash. Once dressed, I loaded all my bags on the bus and lowered the tent before getting breakfast. Once sated, I packed the tent into its little bag and loaded it on the bus. By 06h40, twenty minutes early, we were leaving the camp site! Early morning in the desert is still cool and we passed Springbok, Kudu and Ostrich in the early morning sun. Unfortunately, last night's rain had ... read more

Sand Dunes Thursday 4th Feb Today is a really early start. We have packed up the camp and are on the road by 5:15 a.m. The first reason is that we are heading into the sand dunes and we need to get to the National Park as soon as the gate opens. We then drive to Dune 45 {That’s the only name it’s got so far} and climb it in time to see the sunrise over the sand dunes - I actually only get about half way up before picking my spot to watch the sunrise. Bush Man The next reason for starting out so early is that, after a break for breakfast, we are taken for a short walk through the desert at Sossusvlei. We walk from about 8 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. but, even ... read more

A LOT has happened in the last three days, so one day flows into the next and into the next. We are already the 26th here in Swakopmund, so a belated Merry Christmas to everyone, we miss you, but we have to admit that being the in the hot sweltering desert climbing massive red sand dunes and driving across moonscaped gravel roads makes you forget a little bit that it is Christmas! A quick recap on the relevant for Sossusvlei this AM. My favorite part of the trip so far. FINALLY After 1400 kilometers and 20 hours by bus, followed by 350 kilometers and 6 hours by car on gravel roads through the desert, we arrived at Sesriem yesterday, at the entrance to the Namib-Naukluft National Park. We signed up with the hotel for a 6AM ... read more

(First up some advice to anyone else searching out stuff about camping in Namibia. Don’t stay in the Namibian Wildlife Resort camps except in Etosha - they cost 2-3 x as much as private camps that are immediately outside the reserve areas and in most cases they have much better facilities. We had pre-booked months ago at Sesreim and Hobas thinking one needed to and not realising that the private camps nearby are just fine - better. Apparently a couple of years ago NWR revamped their camps and readjusted their charges upwards enormously as they bear no resemblance to the Lonely Planet figures!! So.....a word ...) The journey from Swakopmund on the coast to the red dune area further south was through rocks/ mountains that had received the whole treatment, melted, twisted and turned, tilted ... read more