Namibia: Sossusvlei

23 1/2 degrees south of the Equator, the Tropic of Capricorn passes though Namibia.

We stopped at Solitaire on the way from Walvis Bay to the Namib Naukluft Park, for tea and for Moose's famous apple tart.

Moose making his famous tart. Not sure which is bigger ... Moose or the apple tart!!??

Sossusvlei Lodge is situated 330 km south west of Windhoek on a 40 000 hectare private reserve in the Namib Desert.

Namib Naukluft Park has some of the highest dunes in the world's oldest desert. Sossusvlei is surrounded by monumentally high dunes, with sinewy crests and warm colours changing as the day progresses. The warm tints of the sands range from apricot to orange, red and maroon and contrast vividly against the dazzling white surfaces of the clay pans at their bases.

Hiking down Sesriem Canyon, close to Sossusvlei, where centuries of erosion have cut a narrow gorge about 1 km in length and 40m in height. Sesriem derives its name from the time when early pioneers tied 6 lengths of rawhide thongs together to draw water from the pools.

Namibia: Walvis Bay

Our quad bike historical tour into the desert was undoubtedly the highlight of our trip!

We chose the prehistoric Kuiseb River and dunes just outside Walvis Bay, which are older than the Namib Desert (the oldest desert in the world).

Do you know that the gradient of a dune slip face is 34 degrees and it never differs no matter what the size of the dune is?

Physical evidence of petrified footprints of the ancient Khoi.

This desert fruit is called !Nara and is used by the Topnaars (descendants of the ancient Khoi inhabitants) as well as by the animals.

Evidence why the Namibian coast is called the “Skeleton Coast”. These old skeletons of the ancient Khoi people are exposed and covered again, from time to time by the ever shifting dunes.

Centuries-old ostrich eggshells that were used by the Khoi to keep their water in and have been preserved, being covered by dune sand for centuries.

A Topnaar (descendants of the Khoi) home in the dunes. These people, who today still live their traditional lives in the dunes and whose whole life centres around one desert fruit. They have no money, no electricity, no mobile phones and no motor vehicles. They prefer not to live in town with its amenities.

The magnificent flamingo flocks of Walvis Bay.

Namibia: Swakopmund

Swakopmund was founded in 1892 during German colonial rule and served as the territory's main harbour for many years. Swakopmund, similar to Dubai, is hedged by desert and sea. I was expecting much more German influence. In my opinion Swakopmund was rather like another South African seaside town.

Gavin is tucking into an eisbein at the Brauhaus.

Don opted for bratwurst, sauerkraut and mashed potatoes.

Don, Gavin, Heidi and Ant on the jetty watching the African sun going down.

The Tug Restaurant overlooking the jetty.

The Wreck Restaurant on the beach where we enjoyed a good dinner and another amazing African sunset.

Namibia: Twyfelfontein

On our way to Twyfelfontein, we stopped at a Living Museum and had a most interesting experience interacting with a Namibian tribe who live permanently in the desert.

This is the entrance to the museum.

The Mopane bees (small fly-like insects) are extremely tenacious and are well controlled with branches from the Mopane trees, either behind your ears or continual swatting in front of your face.

Don is now in the museum.

Don is interacting with Terence who is demonstrating the use of a small knife.

This root for ear ache, this leaf for fertility, this bulb for malaria, this branch for stomach upsets, this stone for sun protection ... and the entire tribe seem healthy and happy??

Twyfelfontein is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with about 2500 animal engravings in the red sandstone, estimated to be about 6000 years old.