Flight over Okavango Delta

One of the first things we did when we crossed the Trans-Kalahari border (that is apparently the name for the border of Namibia and Botswana) was to get on the overland flight of the Okavango Delta. I was very much looking forwards to this - one of the largest freshwater deltas in the world. 

These are the kinds of planes we are getting on!

The rays of sun breaking through clouds over the Delta

Herd of wildebeest below

I attach here a short video of the flight... however I have not figured out how to rotate it. So you might just have to tilt your head a little. I warn you though, you might get a bit light headed after a while - but I hope it is worth it!

Just a few more from Ethosa National Park

A hyena in the bush

 ... and a lion and his harem resting under a tree.

Etosha National Park

First game park on our camping trip... we were excited. It definitely did not disappoint. I saw a lot more animals than pictured below, so I am not doing the place justice. Also, I can't actually remember a lot of names of the animals, so I apologize in advance if I get them wrong.

Just an interesting tree

Zebras - they get boring after awhile 

And then a herd of them...

A herd of gazelles (I think). The one with horns is male, and hence stays at the end of the herd to watch his troop (all females, mind you).

Kudu

Giraffes in the wild

 I just thought this funny - almost something out of a children's play book

We passed by a watering hole - the ostriches looked on for fear of coming close to the lions, no matter how thirsty they were

A lioness with her cubs

Whilst the rest of the animal kingdom stayed away, some giraffes, in an act of bravado (or desperate thirst), decided to come near, leading to a chase by the lions. Here two lions in the chase as a giraffe further away looks on. 

Two giraffes on the run

A throng of lions in the chase

Another beautiful sunset

There was a watering hole near were we camped for the night, so we sat at the booth set up and watched for as long as we could as creatures came by to drink. It was an interesting evening, and if it wasn't for the cold, and dark sleepy night I could sit there for hours and hours. There is this juvenile part of the mind that had these "animal conversations", wondering if the animal asks between themselves why these silly humans were watching them drink...?

The awkward position of which the giraffe has to drink in makes it an easy prey whilst at it

Two rhinos at the watering hole

Elephants at the watering hole - there must have been twenty of them that night.

The lions came at 3am, but by then I was sound asleep in my tent and did not even hear the roar that everyone talked about the next day. And I was meant to be a soft sleeper!

Visiting Tribes People

The Himbas are an ethnic tribe in Namibia. We visited those of whom lived in the Kamanjab area. The whole thing was a little bit like a tourist set-up, but maybe that the closest that we can ever get to see tribal life, so without stirring up more moral conflict within myself I was excited about this trip.

But before we made it to the Himba tribe, we stopped by a store that was set up by the Herero tribe. Their bright clothings were what drew most attention at face value. But it was not till later when I had read up on African history that I realize and understand the depth and bravery of these tribes people. The peak of African colonization - otherwise known as "The Scramble for Africa" - led almost to the total annihilation of the Herero people by the German General von Trotha.

A Herero woman

The souvenirs that Herero made

The Himbas are closely related to the Herero people, but nomadic. They wear little clothing, though the women are famous for applying a mixture of red ochre and butter fat all over themselves. We were told that this prevents ageing - though I am not as yet desperate enough to try such concoction. There is little around - I'm not sure if these kids know of the existence of televisions, let alone a Wii - so the children roam free, along with dogs and the goats.

Himba women and children

The women marry early, and by the age of 25, would have had 5 or 6 children. Marriage in the eyes of most tribes people are mostly dealt in a transaction-like manner. People marry for the purpose of having offspring, and if the woman is unable to provide said offspring, the transaction may be revoked.

A Himba child dances, which apparently requires him to jump up and down whilst sticking his tongue out.

The same child looking apprehensive

A child sitting outside his hut

Life in the village is not so easy - boy carries water home

A more typical Himba hut - made out of mud

Bush Camping in Spitzkoppe

We were anxiously anticipating the first of our bush camping experience. That's right, bush camping. That means not even stinky toilets, no dilapidated showers. Just you, the tent, and the big, wide nature. Oh yes, and the truck and obviously 22 other individuals. I have got to say I enjoyed it.

How the road in the middle of no where really looks like

This is where we were camping for the night

The nest of socialable weavers

Yet another beautiful sunset

The stars

Our tents under the starry skies

Flamingos at Walvis Bay

Walvis Bay is known for flamingo watching...

One of the many flamingos within sight

Not to mention the flamingos in flight

But cameras can be a deceiving thing. I was pretty disappointed with Walvis Bay. I had expected more of a natural environment - but it is Namibia's biggest container port.

And so this is the real picture

Tropic of Capricorn

We crossed it!

Quiver tree - locals use this for many things - the bark is hard as!

Sossusvlei Dunes

This is one of my absolute favourite days of the camping trip. It was everything that came to my mind when I once thought of Africa - the parched earth, the sand dunes, the harsh environment. We watched the sunrise from Dune 45 (we did have to hike up there) and then had a guided tour around Sossusvlei.

The dunes are formed by winds blowing east-west and then west-east in different times of the year. As a result what was a marsh dries up as it is surrounded by nothing but sand dunes.I knew nature was great, but my appreciation for it went up ten folds on this day.

Sunrise at the dunes

The sand dunes

Parched earth - formed by dried salt scorched by the sun

Life is tough out here - sun above you and practically nothing alive

Deadvlei - once upon a time it was a lake / marsh, has since dried up, leaving only salt remnants

On the dead vlei

And how many people can say they've played soccer in front of these great dunes?

New level of respect for ostriches within this harsh environment

Fish River Canyon

Apparently the oldest canyon in the world. We didn't stop here for long but this is one spot I'd like to come back and do a 5-7 day camping trip around the canyon. We were told that the temperature at the top and bottom of the canyon can vary by 10 degrees.

The canyon from above

Sunset

Caught a glimpse of the moon

Cynth and I were happy to be there!