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Namibia

December 2008

 – 

January 2009

The amazing colours, animals, people, cultures, and landscapes of Namibia. We started in Windhoek, drove north to Okonjima Bush Camp, and further north to Etosha and Mowani in the heart of Damaraland with its distinct click language. Then back south towards the coast to the quaint town of Swakopmund from where we took a small plane to the majestic Sossusvlei and Wolwedans. Ending our trip with a memorable flight in a small Cessna plane back to Windhoek.

Map of our tour of Namibia. The dotted lines are flights in a small plane
Our room in Okonjima Bush Camp
Our room in Okonjima Bush Camp
View from our room
Action shot
Springbok and wildebeast
We followed this leopard for a while in our open jeep, but it was difficult to get a clear shot because of all the bushes. This was our best attempt.
It's a habit to enjoy a drink after a game drive around the time the sun sets. Usually on a spot with beautiful views. This is called a sundowner and we've enjoyed quite a few of these!
The Africat Foundation was founded in 1991 and officially registered as a non-profit organisation in August 1993.
Africat tries to set a precedent when it comes to providing a healthy living environment for large carnivores in captivity, which is fundamental to minimising illness and injuries.
The animals are housed in spacious enclosures of between five and four hundred acres in a natural, stress-free environment. They are fed a well-balanced diet with additional vitamin and mineral supplements to prevent deficiencies.
Sometimes these large carnivores lay down exactly like our domesticated cats. And they purr too: but very loud!
Big yawn
Bird of prey in motion
Very selfwilled fellow!
I'd enjoy that birdie...
Cheetah on the lookout
The African wild dog - also called the painted wolf or the Cape hunting dog - is the victim mainly of human persecution
They are listed as endangered by the World Conservation Union (IUCN). Only about 5,000 dogs can be found in the whole of Africa.
Unique road sign and termite mound
Christmas dinner in Etosha
Two jackall were circling our table the whole evening... not as scary as it sounds though! These scavengers could be easily booed away.
Giraffe crossing the road
Springbokkie
Hurd of elephants
One of the hurd spotted us in our car and came quickly towards us. Our cue to hit the accelerator!
Lion in the shade
We met a nice couple of Namibians showing friends from Germany around in their country. Struggling with a flat tyre...
Reflections of Etosha
Surviving on dry land
A few steps away from our small bungalow was a manmade water hole where animals gather 'round sunrise and sunset. Here we saw a black rhino, but unfortunately it was already too dark to get it on camera...
Zebra
Very social animals
Many different species live peacefully together on the vast plains of Etosha
Bird of prey perched high up in a tree
Funky trees
Ostrich with its young
Ground squirrels
Nature calls
Okaukuejo
Stay connected at all times
Towards Vingerklip
Driving through the muddy puddles in Etosha gave our Nissan 4x4 the right shabby macho look it should have, don't you think?
Black power rules
Mowani Mountain Camp in the mountains of Damaraland
Damaraland sunset
Damaraland sunset
Sundowners
Sundowners
Damaraland sunset
Mowani Mountain Camp
Yes, it's a tent! But with great beds...
Stacks of boulders everywhere
Relaxing on a boulder
The Mowani Mountain Camp blends very nicely in the rugged landscape.
View from the dining area
Rock paintings at Twyfelfontein
There are more than 2000 rock engravings in this valley which was proclaimed a National Monument in 1952
Twyfelfontein
In the visitor center they've used old drum lids to make fascinating separation walls around this small kiosk.
These basalt 'organ' pipes are the remnants of a volcanic eruption
That night we chose a vintage red wine from South Africa by the infamous wine house 'Goats Do Roam' called 'The Goatfather'
Cheers!
The next morning the Mowani staff set up a special breakfast table for us at the edge of the pool overlooking the Damaraland valley.
Across the Namib Desert
Across the Namib Desert
Swakopmund is a beach resort and an example of German colonial architecture. It was founded in 1892 as the main harbour for German South-West Africa
This town seems to be stuck in time
The literature in the local bookstore does bring back memories to a lesser period in German history...
Swakopmund sunset
Our hotel in Swakopmund, a former railway station
Here, at Swakopmund Airport we had to say goodbye to our 4x4. From here on we would be flying in small Cessna airplanes
Transfer by Cessna
Namib desert sand dunes
Namib desert
Nice perspective
Namibia soccer talent playing in front of our homestead hut
Namibian boy
Desert Homestead
An early rise today to see the sunrise in the Sossusvlei, famous for its orange sand dunes.
Balloons over Sossusvlei
Alex was our guide at the Desert Homestead. He told great stories about the flora and fauna of this area.
Colourful Sossusvlei sand dunes
White sand spider
Dune 45 is one of the most popular sand dunes for dune climbing, probably because its very close to the road
Vie on dune 45
Vie on dune 45
On dune 45
On dune 45
Dry pan behind dune 45
Climbing Big Daddy
Climbing Big Daddy
Easy stuff for Alex
Dead pan at the bottom of Big Daddy
The top of this highest sand dune in the Sossusvlei is 360 m high
Dead pan at the bottom of Big Daddy
Getting rid of the sand
Sossusvlei footprint
Sossusvlei
Sossusvlei
Sossusvlei
Sossusvlei
Brunch in the Sossusvlei
Brunch in the Sossusvlei
Sesriem Canyon
Great typo!
Desert Homestead
Gemsbok near water basin
Wolwedans Dune Lodge
Wolwedans Dune Lodge
Wolwedans Dune Lodge
Wolwedans Dune Lodge
Namib Rand Nature Reserve
Namib Rand Nature Reserve
On the way to Wolwedans we met a nice Belgian couple with their 13 year old daughter. We did most of the activities at Wolwedans together with them.
Ballooning over the Sossusvlei!
Vie's birthday present to Edo
Filling her up with hot air
Almost ready for takeoff
The edge of the orange sand dunes
Sunrise over Sossusvlei
Sunrise over Sossusvlei
Sunrise over Sossusvlei
Sunrise over Sossusvlei
Vie overcame her vertigo
Enjoying every minute of it!
Happy new year from the Namib desert!
The desert below is filled with a strange phenomenon: the so-called fairy circles. There are various theories about the origin of these circles but nobody knows exactly why nothing grows in these circular patches.
The most likely theory is, that a certain kind of fungus is responsible for these patches. But the strange thing is: when you take a sample of soil from one of the patches and put it in a pot on the same location, plants will grow again in the same soil!
Going down slowly
Going down slowly
Pulling the top down
Deflating slowly
Unforgettable experience!
Breakfast in the desert
Opening the champagne bottle with a sword
Breakfast in the desert
Back at Wolwedans
Our room
Tents on scaffolding
A flock of oryx (gemsbok) passes our tent
Nest of the sociable weaver
Acacia
Namib Rand sunset
Late afternoon game drive
José inspects weaver nest
The entrances are always at the bottom of the nest
Hard Rock Café
Hard Rock Café
Lunch at the Hard Rock Café
Lunch at the Hard Rock Café
Oryx family
Progress, our guide at Wolwedans. Nice guy with a lot of knowledge about the Namib Rand flora and fauna
Our hut in the Wolwedans dunes
Trying to get mobile reception
Wolwedans Dunes Lodge
Oryx on the move
Bye Namibia, it's been grand!
Made with
by @just-edo in Spain