Our second day in the magical Huab Lodge. We try again to see the desert addapted elephants. And… yea! We (ie Deon, the owner and guide) manages to find them in 250,000 hectacres. Phew. And a group he doesn’t see often. So glorious. A privilege.

The trip was down the now dry river, maybe a total of 30km, a few Km’s tracking fresh footprints – easier in mud! – and then 35Km back. With lunch under a tree. What a day.

A bit of a dash back as the clouds were starting to billiow up over the mountain sides. Not a good place to be in the steep sided valley when the rain comes rushing down, as it can do in moments. There was a light shower, always welcome but not enough, yet.

The first day was a bit frustrating. We started to look for desert elephamts in the totally fab Huab river valley, but we were held back by… too much rain! In a desert, with 10mm rain a year. Apparently the river floods about every 3 years, and today was the day! Hey ho. Still great birds and other stuff. Deon, our guide and lodge owner says “I never get fed up with water damage or damage caused by elephants. We need them both. Too much will never be a problem”. Good call, but a tad frustrating.

Day 1

Day 2 and 3.

Our first few days looking around Namib-Naukluft National Park. The journey to our guestfarm was a bit hard work, rutted gravel roads sponsored by many local dentists, and the directions we not even up to Hampshire standards. In fact the roads had many similarities to Hampshire: pot holes, poor maintenance, but no cyclists. A great experience and glad we had our trusty Toyota. Or at least we hope its trusty. Time will tell.

The wildlife around our homestay is glorious. Recommended.

Amazing that such a diverse list of plants, animals and birds all manage to eek out a living in a desert. And thrive. Well, except the sheep that used to be produced by our farm. They have all been replaced by their only produce now: humans! Their only income now. But as a result they have over 1,000 springbok rewilded on the ‘farm’, so that humans can look at them. Previously they had all been shot. A result for all.

Well, here we go again! This time to Namibia, Africa. Where, I hear you say? South West Africa, above South Africa, below Angola and west of Botswana. And more interesting stuff; 2nd least populated country in the world (behind Mongolia, I know you wanted to ask!). most is a desert, or semi-arid, huge saltpan (Etosha) and apparently very friendly people. We will see.
See our intended route, by trusted 4×4, with a tent on the roof. And a fridge!
Give us a thumbs up if you follow us.
Love,
Paul and Linda.

It is going to be amazing!!

Love, Paul and Linda