The first couple of days we took it slowely but now it was time for some action!
We went to the supermarket to get some groceries for the next two days. We discovered Daan Viljoen and hiked through the mountains and did our first wildlife spotting. We drove the first part of our roadtrip from Windhoek to Mariental and stopped along the way to visit Hardap Dam.
After a good night's sleep, we woke up quite enthousiastic. After a few days without really being active, we both felt the urge to change that and to explore the mountains not far from Windhoek. Our plan was to go to the supermarket first to get some lunch to eat after our hike and some snacks and drinks. Then we drove to Daan Viljoen, the smallest nature reserve of Namibia.
Daan Viljoen is situated in the Khomas Hochland, only about 20 km / 40 minutes from Windhoek. It is not difficult to find the entrance gat, Daan Viljoen signs are located next to the highway. When you arrive at the gate entrance, you sign in and get your paper to go to the office and pay your entrance fee. At the office or kantoor you get the necessary information about the park and the hiking trails. You can also buy water there if you didn't bring enough.
We read about the park on websites and blogs and we didn't have high expectations because of many comments about the park being outdated. But we were very happy to see that that was not the case. The reserve must have had some renovations done because it all looked very new and very clean.
At Daan Viljoen you have 2 hiking trails: the Wag 'n Bietje trail of 1,5 km (one way) and the Rooibos trail of 9 km (loop). Needless to say we did the Rooibos trail! And what a joy it was! It is one of the few nature reserves in Namibia where you can hike.
The trail started with a small gathering of wildebeest and ostriches, followed by a couple of springboks and some red billed spurfowls. The very beginning of the trail is flat and then goes alternatly uphill and downhill with some spicy elevation parts but nothing a fot person couldn't handle. Halfway the trail you go down to the river bed and you follow the pat where once water flowed. The last part of the trail was a really tricky one. You get to this sign that points to the trail end and you realise it's not the end yet. After a really steap climb you arrive some what puffing but very satisfied.
We really enjoyed our hike. It was a good first exercise after weeks of preparing for this trip. We were also able to spot some wildlife. We know that it is nothing compared to the abundance we will hopefully see in Etosha but it was still very exciting.
After completing our first trail it was time for our first lunch out in the open. The reserve has a small picknick-spot with 2 stone stables and chairs. We got our lunch earlier at the supermarket and we were very happy with our bread topped with avocado and tomato. It's like our favourite food while being on the road or hiking so you will see more pictures of the same.
Looking back on our hike the first thing that comes to mind is that Namibia, and in perticular Windhoek is not flat at all. For some reason we thought it would be but we were not disapointed seeing and being in the Hochland. Second is the fact that Namibia is facing a second very dry year so the landscape is more like 50 shades of brown than green. Third thing that caught our eye were the very spiky trees and bushes. We know it's normal flora in this kind of vegetation but still, the thorns were massive so we had to watch out passing these.
After our hike we drove back to Windhoek, to Chameleon Backpackers, for one last night in Namibia's capital. A little bit dusty and worn out from our first hike we decided to stay in and be brave enough to get in the pool. Complety freshed up by our litlle plunge (almost ice cold since it is winter here!) we relaxed in the sun, drunk a beer, ate homemade pizza and worked on the website for a bit before heading to the biggest and comfiest bed so far. It was heaven! Yes, yes, yes, only the third night but we know what is coming.
On Sunday we finally started our roadtrip and set course to Mariental. Nothing but one straight road for more than 200 km. Just before arriving at Mariental we got off the main road and drove to Hardap dam. While doing some research we found out that Hardap dam is a national park with hiking trails. Unfortunately, when arriving there it didn't seem like a lot of hiking can be done in the area. The guard at the entrance told us to just drive around. At the dam there was still water left and a some pelicans where there to get some tasty fish. We were also lucky to see a peid kingfisher taking a dive in the water and then eating his little fish on the shore. That was more or less the highlight of our visit to Hardap. We wouldn't really recommend a visit unless you're a fan of dams or that you are a beaver.
Having taken our lunch at the dam we continued our trip to Mariental, 30 minutes or so, and arrived at Anandi guesthouse were we are the only guest for the moment. We had dinner right across the street at Grills & Go. There wasn't really another option but going to the gas station to eat. We shared some ribbs rubbed with pirri pirri and they were finger licking good. After that we went to our squiking bed.
