Betesda Lodge & Camping Namib-Naukluft Park

... to climb the crest of a dune. We have seen Big Daddy, which is right next to Dead Vlei, but our tour is taking us to Dune 45, which is 170 m. (557 ft.). high. The temperature is already a sweltering 30 C (86 F) and it is only 11:30. We are one of only a few in our group to venture out and climb this dune in the heat. As we head up further along the crest towards the summit, Boyd is clenching the camera so tight that there is juice coming out of the ...

... nestled deep in the heart of the ancient but ever-changing Namib Desert. Perched on the edge of a rocky escarpment, this secluded getaway blends into the stark beauty of shifting sands, towering dunes and stony outcrops. A calm oasis of peace and comfort in the midst of the world's oldest desert, the Lodge offers a cosy and comfortable refuge in the vastness of this strange and beautiful land. Let lose your inner child in this ultimate private ...

Today we had one of the busiest days of our whole trip. We woke up really early and had to be on the truck ready to go at 5:15am! Yes AM it was crazy. The gate to the park didn't open until 5:30am so we sat in a line waiting with all of the other keeners so that we could get to Dune 45 with enough time to see the sunrise from the top of the dune. Naukluft Park contains the world's oldest desert and the highest sand dunes in the ...

... then makes a door from a mixture of its web and sand. It was amazing stuff to see. Probably the most entertaining moment was when he picked up this lizard and was telling us that his bite doesnt really hurt and proceeded to show the lizard his ear. It took hold and wouldnt let go. They he just took off again with the lizard still attached to his ear where it remained for about 10min<br>

... thirds live in the townships on the outskirts. It's a bit surreal. There is a massive German influence and we went to a great German restaurant on our last night and could have been in Munich. There were guys dressed up in the traditional Leiderhosen (my german isn't great!). We had a lot of fun there, but it is essentially geared up for the tourists to go off and do exciting things and then leave. It's only after a few ...

... it is easy to understand why. Our Volkswagen Polo was a definite step up from my last rental - more space, more power, and most important, air conditioning. The drive took us first to Solitaire for lunch, and then onto Sesriem, the staging point for entry into the park. Solitaire is basically a fuel and food stop plopped down into the desert like a movie set. Cactus grow, old cars are artfully abandoned around the site, and Moose, the huge bearded and pony tailed ...

... bus!! Chose back seat for extra leg room - but ended up sitting above the engine andwith the air-conditioner not working, Greg and the boys simply stripped down - it was so hot!, Stopped at virtually every stop along the way and were the only white faces on the bus - but looking on the bright side, it was yet another memorable African experience!!

It is funny but after saying that we would not do another walk yesterday - we ended up doing - you guessed it another walk! This time one of the staff August took us some of the way in a 4X4. We then had a one and a half hour walk over a boulder strewn dry river bed to the spring. The spring was beautiful and quite unexpected, it was also guarded by a rather ...

... in with their natural surroundings. There are only a few rooms so you get to know the other guests really well. The food is all home-cooked and considering Windhoek is 4 hours away you cannot believe the quality food they can prepare. Good news is that the brewery do deliver so there is never a worry of the place running dry. When we arrived Rob was just in the process of re-doing the pool and it sounded excellent so I'm sure it is up and ...

We only had one day left until we had to return the car, but we were determined to get maximum value out of it. So we attempted what most people around us were calling 'the impossible' - driving down to the Sousessvlei sand dunes and back in one day. We were told it would be a 4.5 hour drive each way - easily done! We thought... So off we set at 5am ...