The honeymoon starts direction south
After spending our first week completely in Windhoek, it was time to go on the actual trip. The classic travel preparations were done. For the time being, the most important contacts were cultivated again. According to our plan, the route should first go south. That means first stop will be the Kalahari desert.
The reason for this is relatively simple. Namibia has been blessed with a good rainy season this year and we were curious to see how much water and green we would find in southern Namibia. With the Kalahari, the Fish River Canyon, the Namib Desert as well as Sossusvlei and Sesriem, we finally have destinations in our trip that are strongly influenced by the rain.
First destination: the Kalahari Desert
Short info about Kalahari
Strictly speaking, the Kalahari is only a semi-desert. A large part of the Kalahari, which covers more than one million square kilometers, lies in Namibia and Botswana. The thickness of the sand layer reaches up to 200 meters in places. The best known section of the desert on the Botswana side is the Okavango Delta. There the sand is rather yellowish-grey colored. In Namibia, the Kalahari is known mainly for its red, regularly spaced dunes. Between the dunes there are grass and bush landscapes. Depending on how good the rainy season is, the dunes are not so easy to spot from a distance for the untrained eye. To protect the landscape and the flora and fauna, large parts of the Kalahari are declared as nature reserves.
Bagatelle Kalahari Desert Ranch
After a drive of about 3 hours on the well paved B1 we reached the Bagatelle Kalahari Desert Ranch near Mariental. Our first accommodation offers besides nice rooms and cottages as well as a spa also beautiful campsites situated in the red dunes. Exactly such a place we wanted! So after a short and uncomplicated check-in we moved into our campsite - number 3.
Already on the way from the main building to the camping area we were thrilled by the generously distributed campsites in the midst of grass and dunes. The sites themselves are each equipped with their own private sanitary facilities and offer shady trees and a seating area with barbecue. We were equally quick to note that the Bagatelle campground seems to enjoy great popularity. Despite the generally low occupancy of accommodations in Namibia, this site was almost completely occupied in the evenings.
The 2 nights concept for relaxed traveling
From our previous trips we have learned one thing clearly. If you want to enjoy a place relaxed, you should plan 2 nights. So you can move into the accommodation after the trip in peace and enjoy the remaining day. The following full day you can explore the area and wildlife or use the offered activities.
And that's exactly how we arranged our stay. The camp was finished setting up in the early afternoon, so we were able to enjoy a cool drink at the bar. Once there, we met one of our Israeli customers who had also stayed there with his family. For them it was just the end of the trip, so he was able to enthusiastically tell us about highlights of his trip. To end the evening we went back to the camp to cook a delicious stew on the fire. As a special reward for cooking ourselves, there was also a wonderful sunset.
A day to enjoy in the Kalahari
The next day started early - with a guided tour at sunrise. Still shivering at first, the sun soon appeared on the horizon. The light of the morning sun slowly filtered over the red Kalahari dunes. Grass, bushes and wildlife regained their colors.
The magic of the desert blossoms. However, getting up early should not only be rewarded with that, but also with abundant wildlife. The highlight from a rarity perspective should show up almost at the beginning of the tour. The two white rhinos of the farm appeared in the first light of the day between the bushes in front of us. But that should not have been it by far. Springboks, oryx, waterbuck, giraffes, wildebeests, hawks, an owl as well as a kori bustard, which was even animated to fly by the morning visit, should still meet us on the tour.
Those who were not yet warmed up by the sightings can do so at the latest during the coffee break. Coffee with a special view - in the light of the morning sun, in the red sand of a Kalahari dune.
With this spectacle, the day had just begun. So back to camp and first a leisurely breakfast in camping style. Freshly strengthened it went then on the hiking trails of the lodge area. The hot lunch time can be spent again comfortably at the bar, pool or in the camp. For a special end to the evening we treated ourselves to the 3 course dinner menu in the lodge restaurant. Namibian dishes combined with the skills of fine cuisine, absolutely delicious and recommended.
More posts related to the safari honeymoon
The great safari honeymoon to Namibia
Flying during COVID
Windhoek - the first week of the trip
Let's go to the Kalahari Desert!
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Fish River Canyon - still with water
Luderitz and Sperrgebiet - Gin, Diamonds and Ghosts
Unplanned stopover - Namibian gem
Water in the Namib - Sesriem and Sossusvlei
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Warmquelle - refreshment at the Ongongo waterfall
A week in Etosha National Park
Kwando River - maximum relaxation in the Caprivi
Okavango River - Lizards and gray giants in the water
San People - Experience traditions and pure nature
Harnas - Orphanage for wild animals
