Saturday 9 June 2012

Desert, Safaris and Falls





Namibia is a frontier country with a small population of less than 2 million people, lots of cows (more than people!) and stunning rusty red/orange coloured landscapes-sand and dunes, rugged mountains, desert plains , mysterious rocky craggy mountains.


Stuck in the toilet
Visited Soussouvlei in the Namib desert,-huge red/orange sand dunes which change colour depending on humidity, time of day and light. The wind constantly changes their shape in the Namib-Naukluft National Park. These dunes are part of the oldest and driest ecosystem on earth!
Stayed in comfort at Soussouvlei Lodge.





For Johannes’ birthday took tour of famous, much photographed dunes at sunrise and climbed big Pappa dune –then slid down the dune onto Dead Vlei-dead trees in a salt pan. Ended the day with a sunset plane ride (with champagne!) over the dunes to the coast -seal colonies, old mining towns and a huge ship wreck could be seen clearly as we flew so low!

Namibians are very friendly curious people who are well educated, attractive people. Huge German influence seen in names of streets, cities, food (6% German/Africaans population and used to be Deutsch West until WW1). Economy is based on minerals ie diamonds & uranium and farming. Little traffic on main roads and quite.


Trouble free border crossing into Botswana then on to Maun, a large rural town at the south eastern border of the Okavango Delta. Organized flight to the Delta and Chobe National Park. Fantastic 2 days at Vumbura Plains Lodge- stunning lodge with luxurious tented large open plan rooms on the edge of a waterway in the Okavango Delta- birds, hippos heard at night- fantastic guide (Zee) for morning and eveningsafaris –saw so many animals–began with leopard near the airstrip- then elephants, giraffes, zebras, baboons, wildebeest, implala, kudu, warthog, zebra, buffalos so close to our safari vehicle.Even saw a lion with cubs (2 males showing the beginning of their manes). Then 2 days at Savuti Elephant Lodge with elephants walking right in front of our luxury safari tents.






Our walking safari guide Ned Kelly


ancient elephant?

Road deviation

Avoiding foot and mouth disease?

Johannes eating Mopane worms

 Although very expensive truly worth it- evening safaris with Campari and orange- morning safaris with coffee and bickies, and first class cuisine- ate well, drank lovely wine and felt thoroughly indulged by helpful, friendly staff! Safari rides were informative and always lots of different animals to be seen. The ultimate in Buddhist relaxation is a Mekoro ride-just make sure you stay away from hippos!



Spent a night out in a swag on the salt pans at Makgadikgadi – saw amazing moon and sun rise and huge thousands of years old baobab trees.





Meerkats




On to Zimbabwe where we got wet at the famous Victoria Falls. Could hear the pounding of the water into the gorge from our room. Monkeys climbing into our room to steal our fruit!

19 comments:

  1. DEAR JOHANNES AND JUDE FIRST OF ALL OUR SINCERE GREETING FROM TASMANIA ,IT'S GOOD TO SEE YOU IN GOOD HEALTH AND WISH YOU SAFE JOURNEY AND ADVENTURES.I ENCLOSE MY GREETINGS TO YOUR TRIP COMPANIONS KIM AND CHRIS.OUR BELATED BIRTHDAY GREETING TO JOHANNES. LOOKING FORWARD TO SEE YOU ON THE BLOG CHEERS MIETEK AND ALL OF US

    ReplyDelete
  2. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  3. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Dubai Desert Safari nice blog i love to visit it asap Great work

    ReplyDelete
  5. DUBAI DESERT SAFARI is very nice place for tour i love this blog nice info

    ReplyDelete
  6. In Desert Safari
    ,we enjoy awesome driving experience, they took us to a Bedouin camp where we drove quad bikes and you could opt for a camel ride too. Dune sand boarding was available too.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Desert safari Dubai very informatics blog.this safari look difference from Desert Safari Dubai.
    Desert safari

    ReplyDelete
  8. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  9. i must say it is nice and informative share great place to visit is Desert Safari Dubai

    ReplyDelete
  10. Dubai Desert Safari is one of the best place for tour i like it very much

    ReplyDelete
  11. Dubai Desert Safari is one of the best palce for toru i love it very much

    ReplyDelete
  12. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  13. dhow cruise in Dubai is one of the best place where you can enjoy with friends and family.

    ReplyDelete

Spot map