The Erongo Mountains

 We left Spitskoppie mid-morning on 2nd April. The D roads were very badly corrugated & so we decided to drive a slightly longer route, via the tarred road. This proved to be a good decision & we arrived in Omaruru inn mid-afternoon for some supplies from the supermarket &a nice lunch at a local restaurant.

The road to the Erongo Mountains.

Only 38 kms to our destination the Erongo Mountain Plateau Camp. However, this proved to be a long drive, with the roads being very corrugated. The rest of the afternoon was spent setting up camp & we had a nice surprise waiting for us! Unbelievably Charlotte, Arnu's sister was camping here! So we had a nice evening chatting around the camp.

The view from our campsite: Part One.

Part Two: a very nice location.

The next morning on 3rd April it was a very gloomy outlook & we decided to stay around the camp to see what the weather would do. This proved to be a wise move as it rained hard for several hours. We couldn't do very much in this. The rain stopped in the afternoon & we were just getting ready to go out again when the heavens opened once more! It was probably a blessing in disguise as both Delana & I were suffering from a stomach bug & not feeling great. 

The only thing we saw of note in camp between the rain was a pair of Great Rufous Sparrows with a nest. This bird is a bit of an enigma for me, for despite having an extensive range in the arid west of southern Africa, it is quite localized & I usually manage to miss them! So very happy to get a pair at close range in camp. 

Sunset after the rain.

Because of the poor weather, we decided to have an early night & went to bed to watch TV. One couldn't have said that a few years ago!

The habitat.

The next day we were up before dawn & drove down the plateau to an area of koppies next to the road. Our target were two localised species: Hartlaub's Spurfowl & Rockrunner. Unfortunately I had made a mistake with the booking of this campsite. From the name, I thought it would be among the rocks, but it isn't. In fact, there is no suitable habitat for our two targets nearby & we had to drive around 25 kms down the poor road to have any chance ar all of seeing them. However the weather was good & we arrived at a likely looking area. We played the tape for the Spurfowl for some time, before Delana spotted one sat on a boulder calling back at us. I had good views through the binoculars but went for my camera & when I returned it was gone, lost among the boulders. It was a new species for Delana so she was happy. We spent sometime searching, but to no avail. However, we did hear Rockrunner singing but couldn't get close enough because of a fence. The bird was on private property. 

We drove back up to the camp on the very poor road, but the weather was great: bright sunshine! What a change from yesterday. We then enjoyed a couple of hours around camp before the rain returned yet again.

We planned to go out into the field again but the weather stopped us, so I started writing my blog & Delana did some work. After an enjoyable evening we turned in. The caravan is so great when the weather is poor. The next morning we packed up & left for Etosha. It had been a nice stay on an excellent campsite with panoramic views. However, the combination of us not feeling great & the very mixed weather spoilt our stay somewhat.

Spitzkoppie

 To be completed when I have internet.

Ahmed & Clare become parents!

 It is the 30th March & it is time! Clare was due to have her baby around 9th April, but because of its small size, the doctor organised a cesarean operation for 30th March. Clare & Ahmed decided to have the baby in England & what better place than at her sister's house in Ewell? (Not actually at the house but Clare would be based at the house). This was convenient, as Nicci has had two babies & would be on hand to give support where necessary. The hospital, clinic etc are also close by.

The waiting begins!

And here he is!

The operation went smoothly & out he pops! Ahmed was with Clare throughout the operation, gave her great support & all credit to him. 

Crying or laughing?

The happy trio!

This baby boy was born on both the English Mother's Day & the first day of Eid. Lucky boy!

After a night in hospital Clare & baby were discharged the next day & went to Nicci's house to be picked up, cuddled & generally swooned over!

In the garden.

This little boy is to be named Saleh!

Knitting shop? Who is knitting?

Ahmed's Mum, Bridie arrived on 3rd April. She is staying for a month to generally help out, which is great. Everything going well both for Clare & baby Saleh.

To be completed when I have internet

Sandwich Harbour & Pelican Point

 To be completed when I have internet.

Walvis Bay

To be completed when I have internet

Bushmen's Camp

Quite amazing to see the desert like this.

The camp was very well laid out & very comfortable.

We arrived at Bushmen's Camp late afternoon on 22nd March, after a short drive of 120 kms passing through some very green Namib desert! It is quite a remote camp & we both loved it straight away! The campsite was slightly elevated, giving great views over the surrounding area.

The view from the camp.

Nice sunset.

The endangered Quiver Tree.

As we arrived quite late, we just made camp & then enjoyed the view as the evening unfolded.

The next day we paid for a driving permit which enabled us to explore the farm fully. It used to be a sheep farm but the owner couldn't make ago of it & so sold it to the present owner who just utilises the land for tourism. It is a huge area of over 13,000 hectares & it is very empty!

First of all we had a walk around the area

 in front of the camp.

We didn't see very much apart from high flying Namaqua Sandgrouse going to drink. So we then jumped in the car & drove up a dune to get a better perspective of the area.

A really beautiful area.

We were lucky to visit just after the rains.

Gemsbok

It is great to be able to get out & wander at will.

We then drove down to the river 

& explored that area.

Ruppell's Bustard

We didn't see much at all apart from four Ruppell's Bustards, but it was a lovely day in the bush. After a laid back evening in camp we called it a day & enjoyed an early night. The next day we were up early for the drivet o Walvis Bay. We both enjoyed our time here, it was nice to have a bit o down time. We would definitely stay here again.

Sereim - Sossusvlei Area.

We arrived at the Oshana Campsite in Sereim late afternoon on 19th March. We had booked an exclusive campsite & when we pulled up we were both disappointed! The campsites were quite close to each other, the bathroom & toilet had no roof, so everything was wet inside after the recent rains. I think that we had been spoilt over the last couple of weeks with the very high standard of our recent camps. 

The landscape was transformed 

after the recent rains.

One of the river crossings.

The drive to Sereim was uneventful apart from the scenery! The normal dry, brown desert scenery was transformed into green & the dry river beds which we crossed, were in full flow.

Dawn on the drive to Sossusvlei.

A bit of a shock!

As the morning unfolded, we could see 

the full extent of the flooding.

On the 20th March we were up early & drove the 62 kms to Sossusvlei. The first surprise was that the old terribly corrugated dirt road was now tarred! This made the journey a lot easier, as the old road was a bit of a torture. The second surprise was that a lot of the desert was flooded! Both of us had never seen anything like this before.

Delana & I had a brief conversation about whether to drive the last 5 kms ourselves. Some people we met had just tried it & turned around because they thought the water was too deep. So because the conditions ahead were unknown to us we decided to pay the operator for the last bit of this flooded journey. I think it was the correct decision under the circumstances.

Sossusvlei with water!

The nearby Deadvlei.

On the way back to camp, the sun came out!

Water was still flowing across the desert.

Sesriem Canyon

Delana at the bottom of the canyon.

Climbing back out of the canyon.

In the afternoon we visited Sesriem Canyon, which is fairly close to the campsite. This canyon is normally dry of course but not today! It was a pleasant excursion & great to see the canyon with water in it.

Camping organisation from 

the Army guys!

Compare our set up!

The end of an interesting day.

Back at camp we met a group of ex British Army guys & had a nice early evening drink & a meal with them.

Black-backed Jackal

The next day we took a slow drive back towards Sossusvlei, exploring the desert along the way. It was a beautiful morning.

The sand in the front of the picture is 

only slightly damp!

Gemsbok

Pale-chanting Goshawk

With prey.

Kalahari Scrub Robin.

European Golden Oriole

       Both individuals were females.

Terrible photos, but it a good job I took them, as European Golden Oriole is a rarity here! I was very surprised to find them in an other wise birdless area. We then took a slow drive back to camp where we enjoyed a beautiful sunset.

It had been an interesting & enjoyable two day stay here,seing the desert flooded was amazing The only downside was the campsite & I don't think we would stay there again.

Upon arrival at Sossusvlei a completely different scene met our eyes. Most of the floodwater had gone!