11/5/2015

This is the next installment of my posts on my Namibian perambulations aimed at woodworking troglodytes (which I am one of to be honest). During the first days of May we usually head up to the mystical and magical land of the Kavango. It is nestled in the north east of the country in a cosy “little” corner south of Angola and west of Botswana. It forms the placenta to which the Caprivi strip is attached.

The reason for our annual safari is the waters of the ancient Okavango River. It originates on the eastern escarpment of the Angolan highlands before bisecting Namibia and Angola. A few kilometers from our camp it switches across the implantation of the Caprivian umbilical cord into Botswana to quench the eternal thirst of the Okavango Delta.

Get the picture? OK, let’s go.

This is a picture of a modern ossewa. The boat behind it is a new addition to our trekking equipment.

A few of the hooligans in action.

The first night we sayed at Taranga Safari Lodge. It belongs to a friend and is highly recommended.

An Okavango Moon.

Dinner under an African sky.

Same dinner, just later under the stars.

The view across the river the next morning with Angola in the distance.

Breakfast under an African sky.

Trying to drown my Cruiser in order to launch the boat. After carrying a massive amount of gear to the boat through the water of this side channel, a local came to warm us that there is a massive croc lurking around there for quite a while. Gee thanks mate!

One of the best things to do on this planet (in my humble experience) is to find a sandbank on the Okavango, light a fire for a braai and swim while being somewhat vigilant for the ever present hippos and crocs.

This is the famous Jacana Junction, our camp on the Okavango.

One of the most celebrated inhabitants of the river, the Tiger fish.

At the nearby Mahango Park we saw this interesting interaction. A few Letchwe with front row seats to the biggest rumble in the jungle since Ali-Foreman. I think these fighters are called water monitors in English (but not sure).

A giant Baobab.

Of course the boys needed to climb it …

… and the ant hill next to it.

Nothing beats a braai in a game reserve without the constraints of a fence.

My usual highlight is without a doubt, a visit to the local shebeen. We drink Windhoek Lager (the best in Africa) with the locals while the children try to settle the outcome of the Pan-African Soccer Cup of Nations.

These hippos live less than 300 meters from our camp.

My friend Siegmund Mengersson and I built this bar in an area we call the Sunset Beach.

The so called Jacana Jakutz were also erected on the mentioned beach. A warm bath under the stars or at sunset can’t be beat.

Dr Livingstone and compatriots fishing the great river.

A local fisherman.

I hope you’ve enjoyed this installment of “The Land of …”

30/3/2015

This weekend we headed up north for a wedding, which enabled me to take a few more pictures of this beautiful land to show you workshop hermits what is out there in Africa. Because we left after work, we only managed to get about 100 km down the road before dark. We found some shelter at this resort by the name of (I kid you not) Gross Barmen.

When I saw this I thought we were going to have a ball of a time, but alas there were no uncouth staff to be found. In fact, most of the staff were pretty tidy (albeit ever so slightly challenged in the work ethic department) and certainly outstanding from a cordiality point of view.

 

Anyway, I took these pictures while consuming Gin and Tonic (as Malaria prophylaxis of course) under an African sky. You can hopefully appreciate how the colours change every few minutes as the sun sets. There really is nothing like an African sunset.

 

This little guy came looking for something to eat.

 

This pool is probably between 25-30ºC. It was an absolute joy, especially for the kids.

 

The next day we drove another 450 km to a lodge just outside Etosha. This Blesbok did it’s best to keep the grass nice and short.

 

My new mate while reading and drinking G&T (for prophylaxis remember).

 

Some African furniture, just to make sure there is something woodwork related in the post. It was made of Rhodesian Teak, more recently renamed Zambian Teak.

 

My daughter and her new friend.

 

Most of the next few creatures were in cages, but the best thing about living here is that you are more likely to find one outside a cage than inside.

This is one of my favourite companions in the bush, the Grey Go-Away Bird (or Kwêvoël in Afrikaans).

 

I hope you enjoyed this episode of “The land of …”