Sandwich Harbour & Pelican Point

 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!