What rests to be seen after all the natural living wonders in Etosha? Not that much anymore for us. We were satisfied with what we have seen, so only driving back to Windhoek with 2 stopovers remained…
Breaking up for the final time in what will probably be the next few months, we spent some time compressing our sleeping bags, sleeping mats and tents as much as possible before our last breakfast of granola, fresh fruit salad and yoghurt in the Halali rest camp.
After three days almost continuously driving and/or sitting in a car, I was a bit tired, but we still had a long drive ahead of us. So, we agreed to limit our last game drive till early afternoon. Dusty as we’d ever be – no shower for these two in the last days – we got into our even dustier car – shower for our workhorse would need to wait until all gravel roads are behind us – and set off in search for some more big five game…
And yes, wildlife we saw. In abundance. I had the impression whilst driving that the eastern side of the park, the roads east of Halali, are less frequented as opposed to the gravel around Okaukuejo camp. So our spotting was more relaxed. Giraffes and rhinos crossing the roads, at least four – I lost count after a while – elephants sighting while they were drinking / bathing, zebras, springboks and even two jackals playing on the salt pan.
After lunch and final elephant spotting, we headed out of the park via the Von Lindenberg gate, driving southeast towards, and apparently beyond, Grootfontein. Destination: Roy’s rest camp. Very comfy and nicely decorated accommodation and central communal area located off the B8 junction with the C44. Joker groups go out that gravel road to visit the living museum checking how the San people used to live, but we decided just to enjoy the tranquility and relative luxury of the camp and it’s cottage. Yes, to us, after six days of camping in three different locations, we felt pampered having an actual bed under and roof above us again… After a finger-licking diner we went exhausted to bed.
No San-museum for us, instead we took our time to drive from Roy’s to Waterberg. And not only time we took, also the room key. Not used to it any more we assume after that many – hum hum – nights camping… Luckily we saw the key in the passenger’s seat nook when we were only in Grootfontein, so we drove back and handed them over with a small apology and a 1.5 hour delay.
However, we still arrived perfectly in time at Waterberg National’s park rest camp to hike up the impressive plateau. A surprisingly easy walk up, although you gain 114 meters altitude and have to scramble up some rocks in the end, but the reward is another magnificent view over Namibia’s Waterberg plains.
At last the gravel roads were behind us when we turned onto the C42 early Thursday morning towards our final destination, Windhoek. We arrived early enough to return our rented camping equipment at Namibian Camping Solutions before heading to lunch in Craft Café, something Véro very much looked forward to for the delicious papaya and avocado.
We planned to enjoy a quit last full day in Chameleon Backpackers, but my stomach decided to heave up 24 days Namibia that evening. Or at least the pizza. At the same time my poepenolleke thought “why the hell not” and diarrhea it was. All whilst Véro was facetiming with her dad. Good for me I met him before already!
Our last day Windhoek we spent lazily and somewhat better, but not yet fully recovered, in our hostel. Catching up on website writing, finances, mails and rest. And contemplating back on an awesome, stunning first part of our world trip. And also looking ahead to our next destination: South Africa!