Southern Cross Safari (20.09-10.10-09)1.- 2. days
I was not in Cape Town at the first two days, so that I unfortunately couldn't take part at the program.

3.day – Cederbergs



Strengthend from a really nice breakfast the tour was going to start. The whole luggage was put into the truck and it was time to say goodbye to Cape Town.
On the way we just picked up Susan, the second helper on this tour.
We had to cover a distance of around about 200km. But the time was flying and it didn't feel like a long time. There were a lot of flowers and wineyards to be looked at and the short photo and rest breaks were nice to get on one’s feet again.
Around lunchtime we crossed the Olifants-river and passed our first gravel road. Just half an hour later we arrived in Gecko Creek.
The owner of the camp showed us around. The lodgers now got their cabins. Guido meanwhile showed us campers how to easiely build up the tents and also how to put it back into the wrapping. After the lunch we had spare time which was used just simply hanging around at the pool or exploring the environment.
In the later afternoon we did a 2 hours hike to see the Elephant Mountain and the rockpaintings. Charles, the local guide, gave us many fascinating and interesting facts about the surrounding area and the Cederbergs.
In the evening Guido prepared a really tasty BBQ and we had the opportunity to taste the southafrican speciality “Boerewors” (but since tastes differ not everyone liked it…) as well as gamesteak was grilled.
The evening ended in a cosy atmosphere.

4. day – Orange River
The day began early since we had a long trip in front of us and we had to pass our first border. After breakfast and loading the truck we moved on.
Just before Springbok we found a nice picnic area where we had our lunch break and time to strech our legs. We then moved on to the Namibian border, where we had to fill in some forms and gazed at the new marks in our passports. Without any problems we then found ourselves in Namibia.
First when arriving at Felix Unite Adventure Camp we had to move into the cabanas and build up the tents. The cabanas here were very luxurious with air condition and an ensuite bathroom. Laying in the bed you could watch the sun set over the Orange River.
In the evening we had a small but very nice buffet, which was set just for our group. After a game of pool also this day ended.


5. day – tour on the Orange River and Fish River Canyon
Also on this day we have had a full program.
After another great breakfast buffet, we drove on the loading area of a Pick-Up (typical for Africa) to the starting point of our paddle tour. From there we started our way back to the camp. After about an hour our arms already started to hurt so the upcoming small rapids were just what we were looking for. We were able to watch the birds and the nature around us. After approximately 3 hours we reached the camp again. After packing everything, we left for our new camp. Our lunch break was at the hot pools in Ai-Ais where we had time to relax in the swimming pool as well. Arrived at the Canon Mountain Camp, checked-in, built up the tents, before we made our way to the Fish River Canyon. This Canyon is said to be the largest one in Africa, and the second largest one – after the Grand Canyon – in the world. According to this, the first view around is amazing. Here we made a little walk along the cliffs.
After sunset, we went to have our dinner in a really nice restaurant. Afterwards we went back to our accommodation.

Day 6 – Namib Desert
Also today we had a long way to go, therfore: The early bird catches the worm!
On the way we made our lunch stop under a wonderful camelthornacacia, which gave us some shade during the lunch. We arrived at our new accommodation in the afternoon and spent the rest of the day at the refreshing pool. The dinner was really tasty.


Day 7 – Sossusvlei und Sesriem Canyon



As the Sossusvlei Park opens at sunrise, we had to be there before all the other groups are.
The first stop was “Dune 45”, also called the “sacrificed Dune” – it is open for tourists to climb. Next stop was the 2x2 parking space, where we got picked up by Frans with a 4x4 car. Frans was also our guide to the Deadvlei, where he talked a lot about the history, the nature and the environment in a very amusing way. “Always keep smiling and have a sweet tongue.” On the way to it and in the Deadvlei itself we all were busy taking those pictures we saw on postcards before. It’s not too easy..
After our walk it got so hot, that we drove the short way to Sesriem Canyon and had our lunch over there.
In the early afternoon we arrived at Weltevrede, our accomodation for the next night. The afternoon was spent at the pool, in the rooms or exploring the surrounding area.
As dinner we had a buffet again.

Day 8 – Swakopmund



Today our trip was going into the direction of the Atlantic Coast.
The perfect first stop was in Solitaire, because there is a bakery making a really tasty apple strudel. Further we drove through the desert and all different rock formations. Our lunch stop was at the “Birdfeathermountain”. Once climbed up you have got a good view over the desert, where you can see sand, sans and a few hills.
After a few days in the desert, in Walvis Bay we saw the ocean again. There we saw groups of Flamingos and also could take picture when they were flying (thanks to Susan).
On the final 30 km to Swakopmund we were fascinated by all the civilization around us. Before checking in to the accommodation, we first visited the Adventure Center to book our activities for the next day.
In the town, which is more German than Germany we had dinner in the Restaurant “Zur Kupferpfanne”. You just recognize that you’re still in Africa, when on your menu you can decide between Zebra, Kudu, or Crocodile.


Day 9 – Swakopmund
A part of our group went Quad biking in the morning. I was a lot of fun and worth the money!
The rest of the day we spent in the town to explore all the old buildings.
Also for the dinner we didn’t meet, so everyone had to look for their own restaurant.

Day 10 – Brandberg and Damara Land



Today we headed further north.
At our first stop we saw a ship wreck which is quite close to the coast. The second stop was at the seal colony “Cape Cross”. Leaving the truck the first time you recognize the awful smell of the seals. Up to 250.000 seals are living along the coast here and it is great to watch them lying around, fighting or mother and baby while feeding.
We moved on to our lunch stop, from where we had a fantastic view over the Brandberg Mountains which we would visit later the day.
On the way we got the chance to see Herrero and Himba ladies in their traditional dresses and we were also allowed to make pictures.
At the Brandberg our local guide greeted us. Our way to the “White Lady” paintings was a bit hard caused by the hot weather and the missing shade. At the paintings themselves we had a stunning view over the mountains around and the “Koenigsstein”, which is the highest mountain in Namibia.
Back at the truck we firstly drank all our cold and unfortunately some warm drinks.
Afterward we made the short way to the Brandberg White Lady Lodge where two little suricates were greeting us having fun in the warm sand.
The afternoon was spend either in the rooms, in the pool or exploring the surrounding on one’s own.
The dinner was excellent once again. During the dinner it began to rain, and people who didn’t see it with their own eyes wouldn’t believe it.


Day 11 – Twyfelfontein and the Petrified Forest
Again we started early this morning.
First stop was Twyfelfontein. The place was named the way by the white farmers, because the spring, which they found there, was not reliable.
For us it was a nice refreshment during our walk to the engravings. After the walk we moved on to the organpipes. At the petrified forest we also had our lunch break.
We made a short shopping stop in Outjo. Early evening we arrived at the Tarentaal Lodge. Since the weather was not good and the forecast was even worse, also the campers were upgraded and slept in rooms. After arrival everyone got a refreshing drink. The owner prepared a nice little buffet just for our group. After dinner both owners sat around the table with us and we had a good chat about the environment and all the problems such a National Park involves.


Day 12 – Etosha National Park



Another time we had to get up really early. At 6 a.m. we already were sitting in the truck on or way to the Etosha entrance. Since we were looking forward seeing all these animals, the early start was not a big deal for anyone. We saw the first zebras directly after entering the park. And off we went: Cameras and binoculars at hand, eyes focused on everything that moves outside the truck.
We saw huge herds of zebras and springboks, a big group of lions, elephants, giraffes, Oryx-antilopes, jackals and suricates.
Especially at the big waterhole, where we had breakfast and lunch, we saw lot of animals.
In the evening we once again could enjoy the fabulous dinner of the owners.


Day 13 – Etosha National Park



We started again at 6 o’clock. Again we had breakfast at the big waterhole. Until approximately 5 p.m. we watched animals. One elephant just stood in front of us in a puddle, refreshing himself with the mod. It was nice that didn’t get irritated by all the cars around him, it wasn’t that nice that he stood on the road we had to pass and couldn’t. So we had to use another road to get out of the park. In the afternoon we left the park and the weather was already getting worse. After dinner in our new lodge, we had a big thunderstorm. At the beginning it didn’t rain, so that we sat around a fire outside and watched the lightning around us.


Day 14 – Kawango River
As we didn’t have a long drive to do today, Guido let us depart at 9 o’clock.
In Rundu, just before our new camp Nkwazi, we filled up the diesel and our food.
Just around lunchtime we arrived at our camp. The camp is really beautiful, even if they are still repairing damages, a flood of the Kawango River caused to the buildings.
At our accommodation we met our new passangers, who just booked part of the journey (Botswana Explorer). After warmly welcoming Marion and Reinhold, we had our lunch.
We had free time in the afternoon. At early evening the group did a sundowner cruise along the Kawango River. As an illegal visitor the boat stopped at the other river side – there is Angola. After sunset the boat arrived at the camp. There the program moved on to traditional dances. During their dances, the dancers sang and were accompanied by drummers. Afterwards we had our buffet dinner. Full and satisfied our group sat together until late.

Day 15 – Kawango River
Today we went to our next camp – Ngepi. As the tour was not that long, we already had lunch there.
Ngepi is an adventurous and individual designed accommodation. You will have your first “wow” effect when you see your room for the first time. Everyone lives in its own treetop.
But this is not all, they have toilets and shower all over the camp, which are very individual and funny. It is not easy to describe them, so the best way is to just see them with one’s own eyes.
The afternoon was spent at the pool (within the river) or in the rooms.
Our dinner tonight was a self-arranged “braai” (BBQ) where we meanwhile listened to the hippos.
Afterwards we had a few drinks at the bar.


Day 16 – Kawango River



Today we had some activities to do.
At about 8 a.m. we began with our Mokoro boat trip. First we were brought to our starting point at the Popa-Falls with a car, afterwards we moved further on the river. This time it was a relaxing trip for us, since there was a guide for every boat who paddeled. Therefore we had enough time to watch the nature around us and make some good photos. During the tour we saw a lot of birds and hippos, and we also so some crocodiles from further away. Christopher (one of the guides) told us interesting stories and facts about the environment. After half the way we made a stop in an original village. Christopher told us how the people live there and how the community works. We had time to get a good view into the lifes of these people and had time to ask questions.
Afterwards we moved on on the river. Back in the camp again we enjoyed our lunch.
In the afternoon we had another game drive in the nearby Game Reserve. Also this time we were lucky and saw a lot of different animals. For the sunset we went to a Baobab tree next to the river, where we watched the very beautiful sun set.
We ended the day with a good dinner.


Day 17 – Continuation to Botswana
In the early morning the group made a walk together with Christopher to watch the diversity of birds.
After breakfast we moved on in the direction of Botswana. We had stops at souvenir shops and our lunch break at a small picnic area. We then drove along the Caprivi strip to Katima Mulilo, where we had time to get money and go shopping.
After a short drive we arrived at the border and went trough it without any problems. Through the Chobe National Park we arrived in Kasane were we had the opportunity to exchange money. Shortly after that we arrived in the Thebe Safari Lodge. In the restaurant we met for an A la carte dinner


Day 18 – Chobe National Park



Once again the activity in the morning began early. With an open jeep we drove through the Chobe National Park. The highlight of this tour were two lions lying dirctly next to the street. Furthermore we saw buffalos, elephants, hippos and giraffes.
As the day just started when we arrived back at the camp, we used the time to go into the cool water of the pool.
In the afternoon we attended another boat trip on the Chobe river. It was nice to watch the animals from the riverside now. With the mainland and the Chobe National Park on the one side and small green islands on the other, we had a lot of photo samples. It was a successful trip with a crocodil coming out of the water just in front of our boat.
In the evening we had dinner in the camp again.

Day 19 – Drive to Sambia

Since you never know how long you will need at the border to Sambia, we had to depart early.
The drive to the border doesn’t take that long, so that we arrived early. Once we passed the river with a little ferry, we needed to fill out the documents a last time. As Guido told us before that this procedure can take up to 3 hours, we were happy when the last person left the office after an hour. In Sambia – our 4th country on that trip – the way to Livingstone is not that far. We made a short orientation drive as we arrived in Livingstone. Afterwards we checked-in in our accomodations, which was ZigZag for the lodgers and the Waterfront for the campers. At the Waterfront the group had the opportunity to book all the activities for the next day, just like helicopter flights along the Victoria Falls, elephant riding, bungee jumping or paint ball. After all the bookings were made, we went to one of the biggest highlights of the tour: The Victoria Falls! When we arrived there I think all of us were speechless at first hand about this miracle of nature. The afternoon was spend at the falls, everyone walked about. There were possibilities to do some bigger walks, to relax at/in the natural pools or to enjoy the view form the bungee bridge (no you don’t have to jump!).
We had our last dinner all together in an African Restaurant. This was just the case because Guido needed to fly home the next day as he would guide another tour the following days. With a very nice unscripted speech of Christian ;) we said thanks to Guido for the successful tour. We spoke a lot about the last couple of weeks.

Day 20 – Livingstone

The whole day was reserved for one’s booked activities. Susan and me dropped off Guido at the airport and picked up Stephen as well. Stephen would spend the last 2 days with us and would bring back the truck to Cape Town together with me afterwards.
At dinner everyone talked about their adventures of the day. Even though everyone knew that it was the last evening, we enjoyed it.

Day 21 – Flight back

Early morning we packed our stuff for the last time. We dropped off all our guests (except of the couple Putfarken as they booked a post night in Livingstone) at the airport. There it was time to say good-bye.