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Southern Africa's Deserts
Etosha National Park: zebras - Photo Credits: Romina Facchi
This morning we wake up very early, we want to enter the Etosha National Park as soon as possible; it's crazy cold, but we're quickly getting ready, drink a coffee and we're already in the car.
We drive the few miles away from the Andersson's gate and we arrive when they are opening.
There are a few cars, but we can get into it almost immediately; once inside, we go first to Okaukuejo to pay the entrance fee and then continue, today we explore the Westernmost part of the park.
Our car! - Photo Credits: Romina Facchi
This morning we left our campsite, near the Etosha National Park, at 7.30am and head towards the town of Otijo; along the road we feel that the bullbar vibrates more than usual so when we stop at Otijo for fuel, we ask if they can give it a check.
The gas station boy points out that it has unsoldered; we are shocked, both us and him, also because it is new and has not taken any shot, only the vibrations of dirt roads.
Skeleton Coast - Photo Credits: Romina Facchi
This morning we get up a bit quieter at 6.30 and prepare for our breakfast outdoors, certainly not hot, but the sun has already risen and even psychologically it seems less cold.
We set up the car and leave, we are leaving the Etosha National Park today and heading West to reach the Atlantic Ocean and the notorious Skeleton Coast; here in the past, but even nowadays, many vessels and fishing boats are wrecked due to the strong marine currents.
Skeleton Coast: Shipwreck South West Seal - Photo Credits: Silvano Greco
This morning, when we woke up, we looked out of our window and saw a dense fog on the Atlantic Ocean while the waves were crashing on the beach; but we are on the Skeleton Coast, it could not be otherwise.
After breakfast we get in the car, that is as wet as if it was raining, and we leave; today we drive on the Skeleton Coast stretch from Terrace Bay leading to Ugab Gate, from here we will continue to Swakopmund, crossing the Dorob National Park.
The C34 runs parallel to the ocean and allows us to cross different landscapes.
Cape cross: seals - Photo Credits: Romina Facchi
Technically, the Dorob National Park is still part of the Skeleton Coast, even though it is outside the infamous Ugab gate with the skulls, and, witnessing its danger, on its coast there are several wrecks of some ships that were stranded here.
We are on the C34, coming from the North and from the Skeleton Coast Park, and heading to Swakopmund; here the sand dunes can only be seen in the distance and the landscape is more monotonous, so the terrain is less slippery and we proceed at a more sustained speed.
Swakopmund - Photo Credits: Romina Facchi
This morning we take a ride around Swakopmund, or Swakop as the locals call it; the center is not very large and can be easily walked on foot.
The most paradoxical thing about Swakopmund is that it does not seem to be in Africa, but in Bavaria or in a remote village in the German countryside.
Namibia on the road - Photo Credits: Romina Facchi
Today we left Swakopmund and in about 3 hours of asphalted road we arrived in Windhoek, Namibia's capital.
Even Windhoek, like Swakopmund, seems to have changed a lot, and yet a few years have passed since the last time we've been here, but we know that things in fast-growing countries such as Namibia change suddenly.
They have built larger access roads to the city, new buildings, both governmental and private, and the standard of living seems to have improved.
Tropic of Capricorn - Photo Credits: Romina Facchi
Today we have to leave Windhoek to move South, but first we have to pick up the car from the mechanic.
Yesterday, in fact, we brought our Toyota Hilux to do a good check-up, check the wheels and grease some gear after all the sand of the past days, but especially to re-weld the bullbar.
Kalahari desert - Photo Credits: Romina Facchi
Tonight the temperature was particularly stiff and this morning, leaving the duvet was a test of strength, in any case we woke up at dawn to enjoy the day; today the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park is waiting for us.
During the night we heard a noise of hooves that seemed too heavy to be those of the antelopes, we spied on and saw a group of horses galloping toward the unknown; who knows where they came from.
After a quick breakfast we leave towards the Kgalagadi, a wild and relatively poorly mass tourism park.
Kgalagadi: Gemsbok - Photo Credits: Romina Facchi
We arrived at the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, skidded customs formalities for leaving Namibia and paid the park entrance fee at Mata-Mata Gate.
We are looking forward to exploring the park, and two South Africans who are coming out of the gate tell us that they have seen lions about twenty kilometers from here.
However, before driving on the park's roads, it is necessary to deflate the car's tires, here sandy trails are present virtually everywhere; while deflating tires we constantly think about the lions, we absolutely want to see them.