Khaudum - September 2010

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We had never been to Khaudum before and had wanted to go for some time. Khaudum exceeded our expectations in every respect - the water was lovely to drink - especially at Khaudum Camp and there were lots of animals and the terrain was very varied. The sand was never a problem for any of us although it was deep and soft at times especially in the heat of the day.

You need to have a supply of fuel and after four days we might have battled to reach Grootfontein had Tsumkwe not received fuel the night we were there - we carry 270 liters and have a normal range of over 1000 km's but in deep sand the vehicle uses lots of fuel. (It is easy to forget that in Africa sometimes fuel is just unavailable - and that is why I like to always have a reserve. (The weight - the weight they say - well with no fuel you have a real problem.)

Just after the turn off to Khaudum - tyres down and revs up.

The first sign that we were about to arrive.

We have arrived.

it was warm (I love the warm bits) and we stopped for a little break.

A dust devil - there were large fires in the distance and I was concerned that we might have to pass close to them but fortunately we did not.

A track through the long grass.

Welcoming sign - fortunately no hippos. (One of the tour operators let his "guests" sleep on the ground under the stars while he kept watch - and the next morning there was Hyena spoor nearby. It will not surprise me at all if idiots like that get taken by them sometime.)

Elephants and burned veldt.

A Korhaan - one of my favourite birds.

Eland running.

A Kudu.

Another picture of the Eland.

It was hot. For those who really want to know - yes we did erect the tent!

Sylvia at the "elephant proof" tap arrangement.

Me holding the upper second tap - unscrewed.

Hip replacement?

Chris's tap did not have such a good handle so he used a taxi steering wheel.

Sylvia on the tower at Khaudum Camp.

Lovely waterhole.

The sand was deep and soft.

Camouflaged Giraffe.

Dead tree.

Bunch of yellow flowers - they always just grew in a bunch.

Vultures at the waterhole.

Fine elephant and more below. I love elephants and we must make space for them!

Sikereti Camp Office.

The trench is to protect the office building from elephants. They also had trenches around a few of the hides.

Our camp site at Sikereti. (Every afternoon horsefly like things arrived in hundreds and settled on the eastern covered side of our tent. One bit me so I killed about a hundred each day with Sylvia's Zapper which we acquired from Trappers Shop 11 Palm Centre Boksburg.)

A hide.

Male Kudu's.

Track to the distance.

Holes dug by elephants beside the track.

Below more lovely elephants.

Pretty tree.

A variety of colours to suit all insect tastes.

This herd was very nervous - I am certain all animals are hunted in Khaudum as they all run when they see vehicles. it is nonsense that they run because they are not used to them.

Two Roan Antelope fighting.

Deep soft sand track.

At this point we turned back as we thought Chris may follow us and he could have got stuck. There was no danger of us being stuck as Sylvia was driving.