Thursday 21Novembrer: Sossuvlei and the Namib desert

 Why is it that you never sleep well when you have an early alarm set? It’s still very dark at 4.30am (2.30am UK time!) We try to force down some fruit salad and yoghurt with a cup of tea and then get into our 6 seater 4x4 mini bus with a French and German couple. Our driver Anselam explains the geography and history as we head into the desert area. It takes a good hour or so. Sometimes gravel, sometimes tarmac and finally through sand. As the sun rises we see Springbok against the orange dunes. And then an Oryx looking for water by the side of the road. The dunes get larger the further we go and Simon and I are dropped off to climb Big Daddy at 325m. It’s a slow and steady climb and there’s quite a queue of people. Feels a bit like Everest! Luckily it’s not too hot and we’re at the top by 9 am. Fine views all around. Going down looks terrifying as you just hurled yourself down the steep sides in big moon steps but we soon get the hang of it. At the bottom is Deadflei a large salt pan famous for its dead Acacia trees. It seems to be an Instagrammer’s paradise! We wait to regroup then drive to Sossuvlei where we eat brunch at a table with a cloth and napkins! It’s now getting fiercely hot at 35 degrees and we are wilting. A stop at Sesriem Canyon which we walk along seeking shade and keeping a distance from the baboons! We’re home at 2.30 and take a nap before sitting by the pool. So much hotter today. Supper overlooking the desert again and then we are invited to share a whisky with a delightful French couple from Marseille.