snake fossils

Night stay from Etosha to Victoria Falls

https://ngepicamp.com/

Waterberg Plateau Park is a national park in central Namibia on the Waterberg Plateau, 68 kilometres (42 mi) south-east of Otjiwarongo. The plateau and the national park are named after the prominent table mountain that rises from the plateau, the Waterberg (Afrikaans: Water Mountain). The Waterberg Plateau is a particularly prominent landmark, elevating high above the plains of the Kalahari of Eastern Namibia. Waterberg Park and some 405 square kilometres (156 sq mi) of surrounding land were declared a Nature Reserve in 1972. As the plateau is largely inaccessible from beneath, several of Namibia's endangered animal species were relocated into the area during the early 1970s to protect them from predators and poaching to extinction. The programme was very successful and Waterberg now supplies other Namibian parks with rare animals. In 1989, the black rhinoceros was reintroduced to the area from Damaraland.

The Waterberg Plateau Park is ecologically diverse and rich and has over 200 different species of bird with some rare species of small antelope on the lower hills of the mountain. Geologically, the oldest rock stratum is over 850 million years old and dinosaur tracks were left there some 200 million years ago.

The plateau was declared a National Monument in 1956.[1]

source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waterberg_Plateau_Park

Stop to buy supplies

Grootfontein with 26,839 inhabitants in the Otjozondjupa Region of central Namibia. It is one of the three towns in the Otavi Triangle, situated on the B8 national road that leads from Otavi to the Caprivi Strip.

source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grootfontein

Etosha National Park is unique in Africa. The park’s main characteristic is a salt pan so large it can be seen from space. Yet there is abundant wildlife that congregates around the waterholes, giving you almost guaranteed game sightings. At the same time Etosha National Park is one of the most accessible game reserves in Namibia and Southern Africa.

The park is malaria free, accessible in a regular sedan car and the rest camps provide a range of accommodation as well as restaurants, viewing decks, shops and petrol stations. Luxurious camps in Etosha’s remote areas have now added top end accommodation to the park’s offerings.

source: https://www.etoshanationalpark.org/

Planning the trip:

https://www.etoshanationalpark.org/planning-your-trip

Info about malaria: https://www.etoshanationalpark.org/malaria

Sesriem Canyon is located approximately 4.5km from the entrance gate of the Namib-Naukluft National Park. The Tsauchab River has shaped the Canyon over millions of years and it is one of the few places in the area that holds water all year round.

The early Afrikaans explorers in the region named the canyon after the fact that they had to use six (“ses”) leather straps (“riem”) tied together to create a rope long enough to lower buckets into the canyon below, in order to fetch water.

There are parking facilities so that visitors can park their vehicles and take a walk through the canyon. The canyon is narrow at places, however it is worth exploring due to the stunning rock formations that will captivate your attention.

There are a number of accommodation options close to Sesriem Canyon.

source: https://www.sossusvlei.org/attractions/sesriem-canyon/

Dune 45 is named for its proximity to Sesrium Gate. It is situated 45km from the gate, along a paved road and is easily reached using a 2×4 vehicle. Its fascinating shape and accessibility makes it the most photographed dune in the world.

The dunes of the Namib Desert were created by sand carried by the wind from the coast of Namibia. The sand here is 5 million years old and is red in colour due to its iron oxide conten. As the lighting changes with the time of day, so does the appearance of the dunes’ characteristic colour, allowing for interesting photographs at any time. The wind in the Sossusvlei area blows from all directions, which means that the type of the dunes hare are known as “star dunes”. This is because the winds cause the sand to form a star shape with multiple arms.

Visitors are allowed to climb Dune 45, so be sure to visit early in the morning to watch the sunrise over the vlei from the top of the Dune. The Dune is 85 meters high and the climb is well worth the effort as from the top you will be spoilt with the incredible panoramic view of Dune Valley. In the morning and evening light the floor of the pan has been described as a “moonscape” and is truly a sight to behold.

source: https://www.sossusvlei.org/attractions/dune-45/

Big Daddy is the tallest dune in the Sossusvlei area. This magnificent dune is situated between Sossusvlei and Deadvlei and at 325 meters it dwarfs the other dunes. Should you want the ultimate bragging rights, take a lot of water and trek to the top of Big Daddy where you can look down onto Deadvlei.

At 325 meters, Big Daddy may be the highest dune in the Sossusvlei area, however it is not the highest in the Namib Desert. This honour is given to Dune 7, which has been measured at 388m. Dune 7 earned its name by being the 7th dune along the Tsauchab River.

source: https://www.sossusvlei.org/attractions/big-daddy/

Close to Sossusvlei, Deadvlei is a clay pan characterized by dark, dead camel thorn trees contrasted against the white pan floor. The pan was formed when the Tsauchab River flooded and the abundance of water allowed camel thorn trees to grow. However, the climate changed and the sand dunes encroached on the pan, blocking the river from reaching the area. The trees are estimated to be approximately 900 years old, however they have not decomposed due to the dry climate.

Deadvlei is a paradise for photographers as the contrast between the pitch-black trees and bleached-white pans, and the rusty-red dunes and deep blue sky make for incredible images. Deadvlei is at least 1km walk from the parking lot so be sure to take drinking water with you.

source: https://www.sossusvlei.org/attractions/deadvlei/

Situated in the largest conservation area in Africa (the Namib-Naukluft National Park), Sossusvlei is possibly Namibia’s most spectacular and best-known attraction. Characterised by the large red dunes that surround it, Sossusvlei is a large, white, salt and clay pan and is a great destination all year round. The dunes in this area are some of the highest in the world, reaching almost 400 meters, and provide photographic enthusiasts with wonderful images in the beautiful morning and evening light.

Sossusvlei literally translates to “dead-end marsh”, as it is the place where the dunes come together preventing the Tsauchab River to flow any further, some 60km east of the Atlantic Ocean. However, due to the dry conditions in the Namib Desert the River seldom flows this far and the pan remains bone-dry most years. During an exceptional rainy season the Tsauchab fills the pan, drawing visitors from all over the world to witness this spectacular site. Photographic enthusiasts are spoilt with a glassy “lake” holding reflections of the surrounding dunes. When the pan fills it can hold water for as long as a year.

Despite the harsh desert conditions in the area, one can find a wide variety of plants and animals that have adapted to survive.

All of the attractions surrounding Sossusvlei are easily accessible as all but the last 5 kilometers of the 65 kilometer drive to the vlei is tarred. Shuttles provide access to the last 5 kilometers, should you not have a 4×4 vehicle.

source: https://www.sossusvlei.org/

Hiddenvlei is a 2km walk from the end of the 2×4 track and the route is marked with wooden polls. This vlei is the least visited of all the vleis letting those who make the journey enjoy some solitude in the beautiful desert surroundings.

During your walk to Hiddenvlei, look closely at the sand to examine the various tracks of the animals that occupy the area. You should be able to distinguish the tracks of Gemsbok and Springbok quite easily. However, on closer inspection you will be able to see the tracks of the smaller animals that generally live underneath the sand, for example the little Namib Gecko.

source: https://www.sossusvlei.org/attractions/hiddenvlei/

A tiny settlement at the intersection of the C14 and C19, Solitare started as just a single cottage in 1948. Christoffel van Coller and his wife Elsie built the cottage and aptly named it Solitaire due to its remote location. Over the years a few more facilities were added and today you will find a filling station, a small shop, accommodation and Big Moose’s Bakery.

Solitaire is only 83km north of Sesriem Gate and, if only for a taste of Big Moose’s Apple Strudel, is well worth a visit! Take a seat outside of the bakery, in the shade of the trees and feast on this exquisite treat, while ground squirrels and weavers fight over the crumbs that escape your fork.

There is a range of accommodation available in and around Solitaire.

source: https://www.sossusvlei.org/attractions/solitaire/

Gonarezhou National Park is a national park located in southeastern Zimbabwe.[2][3] It is situated in a relatively remote corner of Masvingo Province, south of Chimanimani along the Mozambique border. Owing to its vast size, rugged terrain and its location away from main tourist routes, large tracts of Gonarezhou remain pristine wilderness.

At 5,053 km2, Gonarezhou is the country's second-largest national park, after Hwange National Park.[1] The name Gonarezhou is translated from the Shona meaning "The Place of Elephants".

source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gonarezhou_National_Park

Camp site fir mid way stop

https://antelopepark.co.zw/guests/accommodation/camping-sites/

Entrance fee: 20 ND per adult + 20ND per car

Skeleton Coast National Park is a national park located in northwest Namibia, and has the most inaccessible shores, dotted with shipwrecks. The park was established in 1971 and has a size of 16,845 km2 (6,504 sq mi).[2] The park is divided into a northern and southern section, the southern section is open to those with 4-wheel drive vehicles, they are allowed to go up (north) as far as the Ugab River Gate (where a sign with a skull and crossbones warns you to go no further).[3] The northern section can only be reached by a fly-in safari, and the area is off-limits to all vehicles.[4]

source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skeleton_Coast_National_Park

Brandberg Mountain is located in former Damaraland, now Erongo, in the northwestern Namib Desert, near the coast, and covers an area of approximately 650 km2.[3] With its highest point, the Königstein (German for 'King's Stone'), standing at 2,573 m (8,442 ft)[1] above sea level and located on the flat Namib gravel plains, on a clear day 'The Brandberg' can be seen from a great distance. There are various routes to the summit, the easiest (also steepest) being up the Ga'aseb river valley. Other routes include the Hungurob and Tsisab river valleys. The nearest settlement is Uis, roughly 30 km from the mountain.

The core area of 450 square kilometres (170 sq mi) was declared a National Monument in 1951.[4]

source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brandberg_Mountain

The White Lady is a rock painting, located on a panel, which also displays other art work. The paintings can be found on a small rock overhang, deep within Brandberg Mountain. The giant granite monolith located in Damaraland and called 'The Brandberg' is Namibia's highest mountain. The painting's German name is Weiße Dame.

The painting has long been an archaeological dilemma, and several different hypotheses have been put forth on its origins, authorship and dating. It is now usually accepted to be a bushmen painting,[1] dating back to at least 2000 years.[2]

source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_White_Lady_(Namibia)

$

Working hours: Monday - Sunday | 12pm - 9pm

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Working  hours: Mon-Sat 12:00 - 22:00

Capital

Walvis Bay  is a city[5] in Namibia and the name of the bay on which it lies. It is the second largest city in Namibia and the largest coastal city in the country. The city covers an area of 29 square kilometres (11 sq mi) of land.[6] The bay is a safe haven for sea vessels because of its natural deep-water harbour, protected by the Pelican Point sand spit, being the only natural harbour of any size along the country's coast. Being rich in plankton and marine life, these waters also draw large numbers of southern right whales,[7] attracting whalers and fishing vessels.

source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walvis_Bay

Sandwich Harbour, also known as Sandwich Bay, Sandvishawe, Sandvisbaai and Sandfisch Bai is an area on the Atlantic coast of Namibia that includes a bay in the north and a lagoon at the southern end.[2] Sandwich Harbour might have been named after an English whaling ship, the Sandwich, which worked during the 1780s, or the name may be a corruption of the German word "sandfische", a species of shark found in the area.[3] Formerly, the bay was a moderately-sized commercial port based around whaling and small-scale fishing, but it is now best known for its birdlife in the lagoon to the south of the bay.

source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sandwich_Harbour

entrance fee: 150 ND + 50ND for car

Cape Cross is a protected area owned by the government of Namibia under the name Cape Cross Seal Reserve. The reserve is the home of one of the largest colonies of Cape fur seals in the world.[4]

source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cape_Cross

Kolmanskop (Afrikaans for "Coleman's peak", German: Kolmannskuppe) is a ghost town in the Namib in southern Namibia, 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) inland from the port town of Lüderitz. It was named after a transport driver named Johnny Coleman who, during a sand storm, abandoned his ox wagon on a small incline opposite the settlement.

source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kolmanskop

Lüderitz is a town in the ǁKaras Region of southern Namibia. It lies on one of the least hospitable coasts in Africa. It is a port developed around Robert Harbour and Shark Island.

The town is known for its colonial architecture, including some Art Nouveau work, and for wildlife including seals, penguins, flamingos and ostriches. It is also home to a museum and lies at the end of a currently decommissioned railway line to Keetmanshoop. The town is named after Adolf Lüderitz, founder of the German South West Africa colony.

source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/L%C3%BCderitz

The Fish River Canyon (Afrikaans: Visrivier Canyon or Visrivier Kuil, German: Fischfluss Canyon), is located in the south of Namibia. It is the largest canyon in Africa, as well as the second most visited tourist attraction in Namibia.[2] It features a gigantic ravine, in total about 160 kilometres (100 mi) long, up to 27 km wide and in places almost 550 meters deep.

The Fish River is the longest interior river in Namibia. It cuts deep into the plateau which today is dry, stony and sparsely covered with hardy drought-resistant plants. The river flows intermittently, usually flooding in late summer; the rest of the year it becomes a chain of long narrow pools. The hot springs resort of ǀAi-ǀAis is situated at the lower end of the Fish River Canyon.

Public view points can be visited near Hobas, a camp site 70 km north of ǀAi-ǀAis. This part of the canyon is part of the ǀAi-ǀAis/Richtersveld Transfrontier Park, while the remainder is privately owned.

source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fish_River_Canyon

Campsite night stay from Windhoek to Luderitz

The Quiver Tree Forest (Kokerboomwoud in Afrikaans) is a forest and tourist attraction of southern Namibia. It is located about 14 km north-east of Keetmanshoop on the road to Koës, on the Gariganus farm. It comprises about 250 specimens of Aloidendron dichotomum, a species that is also locally known as the quiver tree (Afrikaans: kokerboom) because the San people traditionally used its branches to make quivers.

source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quiver_Tree_Forest

Gweta’s famous Baobab Trees are some of the largest in the world. In fact, they are so large that they have become national monuments.

Working hours 8AM-4PM

https://www.facebook.com/MotsanaCentre/

Working hours:

Everyday 8AM-10PM, Sunday 11:30AM-8PM

https://www.facebook.com/kwagancincibw/

https://okavangocraftbrewery.com/

The Makgadikgadi Pan,, a salt pan situated in the middle of the dry savanna of north-eastern Botswana, is one of the largest salt flats in the world. The pan is all that remains of the formerly enormous Lake Makgadikgadi, which once covered an area larger than Switzerland, but dried up tens of thousands of years ago

srouce: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Makgadikgadi_Pan

Because of salt, no animals or insects live here. Good for one night stay to enjoy the starts - milky way at night.

Local stop while checking baobabs and the salt pans in the area.

https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Gweta