Namibia to Botswana into the Okavango Delta

Sunday 24-25.02:

In the afternoon we left Rundu to the Botswana border. Unfortunately we arrived too late. The border closed already at 6 pm. This way we found the most original camp ground we have been so far. The outside showers and toilets had direct river view. The river swimming pool was only protected by a cage. At night we could see the blinking eyes of the crocodiles floating in the river and the loud cries of the hippos and understood the reason for the cage around the river pool.

The next day we crossed the small Mahango Game Reserve just before the border. A few Giraffes crossed the dirt road but I have to admit after Etosha I was still excited but just a little bit less.

The border crossing to Botswana went smoothly. 

We drove all the way to Maun the starting town for all expeditions in Botswana. We made all the necessary shopping’s, got all necessary national park permits and stayed in a camp at the Okavango delta.

Stumbling across the largest meteroite in the world - Namibia

Thursday-Friday 21-22.02:

In Grootfontein we made a side trip to the largest Meteorite in the world. It fell from the sky about 80000 years ago. In the afternoon we used up our last internet we had on our Namibian sim cards. At night we drove a while to find a suitable camping spot next to the road to Rundu at the Okavango river. On the way we helped some guys to change a tire. At least we tried but had to admit that we are not to familiar with the basic car first aid tasks. 

The next day we decided to try out all the extras on our amazing car. Searching through the gear we found a power shower, awesome luxury gadget! But a little bit water and time consuming.

We also tested the winch which we might need in the muddy tropical roads ahead of us.

In the afternoon we arrived at the Okavango River in Rundu. Along the road to Rundu we saw many small African villages with little wooden huts with straw roofs, kids running around playing with handmade toys, women balancing food on their hats, men sitting together talking. Every few kilometers we had to slow down for donkeys or cows standing or crossing the road. I guess we arrived in the “true”  Africa.

We stayed for two nights at a river campsite to get a rest and reorganized.

Searching for the Big 5 in the Etosha National park - Namibia

Tuesday-Wednesday 18-19.02:

We entered the Etosha National park Gate at 6:30 at sunrise. Etosha is one of the biggest wildlife parks in the world. You can drive on designated dirt roads through the bush land surrounding the Etosha salt pan. It did not take a long time until we spotted the first animals. Throughout the day we spotted giraffes, elephants, rhinos and even one lion among many other animals. At night we went on a night safari with a park ranger. He could literally smell nearby animals. Suddenly an enormous elephant stood right before our car. It was an unforgettable experience.

The next day we explored the east of the park. Just before leaving the camp we saw dozens of giraffes crossing our road. We left the park at its best!

Rock Paintings in an ancient mystical landscape - Twelfefountain - Namibia

Sunday 17.02:

For breakfast I could try out my new camping table and chair. I am convinced it was a good investment; Ju has a different opinion about it. We entered the stretch of the skeleton coast for which a permit is required and drove for another 2 hours through the monotonous landscape.

Driving inland again the countryside slowly became greener and greener and we saw the first real rain since 3 weeks.  In Twelfefountain visited the world heritage site showing 5000 year old rock engravings. We found a beautiful camping spot in the middle of the rounded sandstone rocks.

Ship Wrecks at the Skeleton Coast - Namibia

Saturday 16.02:

We left Swakopmund to go Sand boarding on the nearby dune 7.

In the afternoon we drove up the skeleton coast to see a few shipwrecks that were stranded at the beach. The thick dark clouds and the desert like landscape created a melancholic atmosphere. Driving through it is an experience but you do not want to stay for long. We stopped our car in the middle of a huge salt plain close to the shore. We could hear the waves but could not see them.

Speaking German in Swakopmund - Namibia

Tuesday-Thursday 12-14.02:

We crossed the Naukluft Mountains and the Namib desert on the usual gravel road and arrived at the Atlantic ocean in Swakopmund. Here a lot of people still speak German. They even have a Brauhaus. On Wednesday night we went surfing with Gesha one of the local surfers who gave us the necessary wet suit and boards. For me it was the first time since years to catch some waves. It felt great although my back and muscles are aching now the next day. Unfortunately Ju was more unlucky. The board hit her right beneath her eyes and left a blue mark.