longest drive of the tour today and boy did I feel it – the B2 leaving Swakopmund is the only long bit of tar road driving I was doing and conscious to keep speeds down meant I was passed by everything on the road which at times resembled the M25 on a good day!!. Still couldn’t work out the overtaking rules as I thought they were the same as in SA – i pulled over as much as I could but didn’t always work and only 2 thank you acknowledgements – neither by a Namibian!!
First part to Karibib was all Kalihari desert (it said on the signposts!) so sand sand and more sand with several mines thrown in for good measure along the way – turned off just after Karibib and did another 60km before finally turning off onto gravel – yippee!! – able to drive along at own speed and unbothered by any other drivers – didn’t encounter anything for 120 km!!
Much more bush like scenery now with huge termite mounds becoming commonplace.
A few photo stops on the way. Saw on the map that I was passing “dinosaur footprints” landmark so curiosity got the better of me and I stopped off to view – weird set up – you pitch up essentially someone’s house just off the road, pay $N20 (£2) and you are shown into a field to follow a trail to these tracks! – there are pics to prove it and I can say I have seen them
Eventually arrived at Okinjima entrance at 3.45pm although took another 30 mins to get to reception so missed some activities – time spent thought in R&R at the pool and observing the game on view – oryx and warthog mainly - from the room.
Dinner later – solo table for me! – then a night drive with the highlight being the sighting of one of 5 leopards located in a 4500 hectare enclosure - and there he was lying on a rock for warmth right in front of us! – a rare encounter even according to the guides
Early start (5.30am call) tomorrow for a leopard drive out in the bush – will hopefully get to Africat tomorrow for the cheetahs.
Highlight – catching the leopard sighting at night
Lowlight – missing afternoon activities however this turned out for the better - see tomorrows blog!
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