Sunday 22nd August - Wednesday 25th August
Left Livingstone and entered Namibia. We stayed our first night in Namibia at a Camp site next to the Zambezi which was really nice. There was a floating bar at the site so drinks were had late into the night. The next day we continued our drive through Namibia to a bush camp on the banks of the Okavango river. We arrived early and spent the afternoon with a local guide who took us to his local village. It was a wonderful insight into Namibian family life and meet his family - a real privilege. We had a long drive over rough roads the following day to Etosha national park. The air brake hose on the truck broke due to the stones and needed emergency surgery which set us back. We arrived at the camp at dusk and set up for the night. Started to feel unwell, I think a combination of the heat and a dodgy tummy.
Etosha is a wonderful park with numerous watering holes which attract hundreds of animals. We saw all the usual suspects (elephant, giraffe etc.). Etosha also contains a massive salt pan which is just a huge expanse of flat white land - vey interesting. We arrived at camp by lunch time. As I was still feeling ill I spent the rest of the day in the shade by the pool and retired to bed early.
Thursday 26th August
Woke up this morning feeling much better. We left Etosha today and started the drive south. The landscape has now changed dramatically from typical African Savanna to red rocky and dust landscapes. We arrived at a bush camp at lunchtime and had a relaxed afternoon in the bar. Later on we went to see some ancient rock carvings which were very interesting and had a great walk in the wilderness.
Friday 27th August
Left camp early and headed for the coastal town of Swakupmond. The landscape changed again and we are now in desert country with dunes. We are in Swakupmond for 2 nights staying in chalet accommodation. It is nice to sleep in a proper bed for a change! Swakupmond is a bit of a adventure town and a few of us have signed up for a tandem skydive and then quadbiking in the sand dunes tomorrow. Starting to worry about skydive but it should be an amazing experience!! Had a nice night in town and early to bed.
Saturday 28th August - Skydiving!! and Quadbiking!!
Wow - what a day. Had a light breakfast and psyched myself up for the jump. I was taken up to 10,000 feet and strapped to my jump master Derick. The door was then opened and I had to maneuver myself so that I was completely hanging outside the aircraft. After a quick pose for the video we jumped and went into free fall for 5,000 feet traveling at 200km\h. It was the most insane thing I have ever experienced in my entire life. There was so much noise from the wind until the chute opened and everything went quiet. We then had a slow descent back to the airfield. It was truly one of best things I have ever done:
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| Tom and Alex get ready for the jump |
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| Practicing getting out |
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| Back to earth |
After the jump a group of us went into the dunes for a 3 hour quadbiking session in the sand. This was great fun with fantastic views over the dunes and an amazing sunset:
Sunday 29th August - Tuesday 31st August
After leaving Swakupmond we headed further south to Sesriem and the oldest desert in the world. It was an early morning rise as we made our way to climb "Dead Vlei" said to be the largest sand dune in the world. It was a great climb and we were rewarded with views over the entire desert. On tuesday it was an early rise again as we went for a balloon ride over the dunes followed by the obligatory champagne breakfast - brilliant!!
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| Climbing Dead Vlei |
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| Hot air balloon over the desert |
Wednesday 1st September - Friday 3rd September
The final leg of the trip now back to Cape Town and feeling very sad, it has all gone so quickly. We stopped at Fish River Canyon in the south of Namibia before crossing the border back into South Africa. We had our last night under canvas in South Africa and said farewell to the tents for the last time. Next stop Cape Town and we were greeted with clear weather which allowed us to climb Table Mountain. It was a 2 hour climb to the top and we were rewarded with some of the most spectacular views over the city:
Our final night in Cape Town is one I will never forget, but as the saying goes "what happens on tour stays on tour". For those of you who were there you know what I am talking about. It was a very sad time leaving for the airport for many different reasons but above all I will remember the great group of people and the most amazing countries we visited. Thanks everyone.
I am back in the U.K. now for one week to get the washing done and prepare for South America. I am so excited about the next few months so stay tuned to the site and watch out for further updates.
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