Africa trip part 1: Etosha and Sossusvlei Namibia

The day finally arrived... months, weeks and days of planning were finally over... we were on our way to Africa...

After a super long long flight, that included a layover in New York we arrived to Johannesburg

Nap time in J-burg

Next morning, and with all the energy recovered, we were in our way to Namibia!!! First stop.. Windhoek International Airport...

After the whole immigration paperwork (with Ebola test included) we were in our way to hit the road!!!  Alexis was the one in charge, since she had driven on the left side before.. you can see how happy she was!!!

Once in the road, you can not denied that the road fauna could be a little different... and you have to be really aware... 

we were ready to put some miles on this car (1,100 at the end of the trip).. our great travel agent put together the most efficient routes in order to maximize out time..  she even suggested places along our route to enjoy a good snack (and beer)

View from Waterger Guest Farm

First stop, Waterberg Guest Farm. A really nice small and quiet lodge that offered us an spectacular first view of what was coming. The short hike along the area was led by a tireless guide that in return just asked to be pet! :)

         After a hike, a good rest and a drink was the best way to start our trip.

New day, and the Etosha National Park was waiting for us, but before that we stop to get some food, was great to find that we had access to "home" flavors

Food check...  time to go Safari!!!

 One hundred meters inside the Park and we were welcome by some Giraffes. And once we checked in and put our stuff in our room, we hit the road.




Our reward... a family of Elephants (babies included) enjoying one of the water holes in the park.

 During our time at the park we were stalked...

we had to deal with local traffic...

but also we went out late on nights

Sadly we had to leave our friends in Etosha and head south to Sossusvlei and its dunes, but first, we stop in Erongo region, and we were so lucky to stay in one of the most beautiful locations I have been in my life (sadly the photos cant capture completely the beauty of the place!

Add caption

This is the view from our cabin 

With 100% energy we headed to the dunes... 5:45 am on line waiting for the park to open.. but with all the attitude!!! We decided to do just three things in Sossusvlei

One: Climb Big Daddy, the highest dune in the Sossusvlei area; with about 325 meters high. You can it behind us (it doesn't look that bad, right?)

yes.. that is how Ivan looks normally (plus just 4 hours of sleep)

It was not too small once we were at the bottom

Almost there... 

 It was actually a harder than we expected. Especially if you have a 5 gallons of water in your backpack (stay hydrated boys!)

Go all the way up of "Big Daddy" 

Two: Run down Bid Daddy. Note: It took us around an hour to climb it, but just 3 minutes to run all the way down!!!

Three: End in Deadvlei. A clay pan, that used to be an oasis with several acacia trees. The river that used to watered the oasis changed its course and this is what is left.

Amazing view, and yes... at the top of that hill (half way to he top of Bid  Daddy) you can spot some people on their way to the top.

We were sad to leave Namibia, but before that we were able to spend our last night at the Star Dune Camp, and it was just amazing.  

See you soon Namibia!!!