Sunday, 25 May 2025
This morning we were on the road just after 9.00am to leave the city behind us as we headed to Sossusvlei in the Namib Desert. After navigating our way out of Windhoek we travelled on the B1 to Rehoboth where we made a fuel and comfort stop. Soon after leaving Rehoboth we turned onto the C24 and soon after that we left the bitumen behind us to continue on gravel road. Very bouncy!!
We travelled by way of the C14 and C19 enjoying the beautiful passing scenery which was a little like Outback Queensland on steroids. There was saltbush with Acacia scrub which was very similar to Qld BUT the floodways were way deeper than any we drove through in the Gulf Country last year. In one spot we crossed a bridge which is still undergoing repairs having been washed out in March. Wian said he was guiding a group at the time and they were stuck at the river crossing for eight hours before a temporary bridge was put in place! They didn’t arrive at Sossuslevi Lodge until after midnight. Very glad the roads are now dry after a record wet season.
We made a pitstop at the Elegant Desert Lodge. As we neared the lodge Wian told us we were still about 45 minutes from Sossusvlei Lodge and asked if anyone needed a toilet stop. I think I could have held on but when one of our party said yes, please, I used the facilities too. The lodge was beautiful which had me hoping that our lodge would be just as lovely.
It turned out to be fortuitous that we made the toilet stop because, just after we turned onto onto the D826 making our final approach to Sossusvlei, Wian stopped the truck, circled it and reported back that we had our first flat tyre. Everyone out, I’m going to have to change the tyre. There were a couple of hiccups with the process and assistance tendered by another guide who was passing. The boys all joined to help while the girls stood around talking in the small patch of shade at the back of the truck. There was plenty of water in the Esky so we all survived the experience!
After an hour on the side of the road we piled back into the truck and in no time at all we were pulling in to our accommodation for the next two nights, the very sumptuous Sossusvlei Lodge. Our rooms were allocated quickly but with the news that there is no wi-fi in the rooms, only at the bar and by the pool. And after a short stop in our rooms to deposit our hand luggage it was back to the bar where we ordered toasted sandwiches for a late lunch. So glad Cathy and I decided to share as the sandwiches were large and accompanied by a mountain of chips. The chips were delicious but we couldn’t finish them all mindful that it was now after 3.00pm and dinner is going to be at 7.00pm.
Not much was done for the rest of the afternoon. Even though I had done virtually nothing all day but sit on my backside watching the passing scenery (and OK, yes, even managed a little doze despite the rough road!) I was feeling a bit tired. How must Wian be feeling with the responsibility of driving us all the way from Windhoek to Sossusvlei and then the added stress of changing a flat tyre?
At around 6.10pm we wandered outside to watch the sun set over the mountains to the west of the lodge. There are signs in our room warning us that oryx and wildebeest roam around the lodge – THEY ARE WILD ANIMALS AND CAN BE VERY DANDEROUS. To be honest I was more worried that there could be a snake out there. However, we managed to take some sunset photos without encountering any wildlife.
Our group met in the open air restaurant at 7.00pm for dinner. There was a table groaning with salads indoors and then three outdoor BBQ stations offering meat, fish and stir-fry options. I queued for a freshly cooked stir-fry which took so long that everyone else had finished their meal by the time I returned to the table. We finished with cake again tonight, this time to celebrate Bernie’s birthday. Two birthday cakes in two days!
Steps: 5,657 (3.81kms)
