Day 4.

The glow of the sun below the horizon from the front door of our chalet just after 6am on the morning of day 4. We then checked out of the Desert Camp at 6:30am and headed off in the Hilux to Sossusvlei lodge to have some breakfast.


Eggs being cooked on the outdoor braai. We were just after the morning rush for guests heading off to the park so the restaurant was not too busy.


And enjoying the beautiful view with boerewors and eggs for breakfast.


After another fantastic and very filling meal we headed off in the 4WD again.


Turning left to Solitaire.


Topping off the diesel in the Toyota again at the Solitaire Service Station.


Rianda picked up a few souvenir Solitaire t-shirts to take home.


Luckily more rain for the first four months of 2017 than all of 2016!


We had arranged a 9am visit to the Namib Carnivore Conservation Centre. After a bit of confusion on the meeting point, we finally found the right place and after paying $N465 ($36) each, Kelsey from Michigan took us for the short drive to the Cheetah enclosure.


They had rescued a mother who then had six cubs. Luckily they were all lazing under a tree, so it didn't take too long to find them.


One of the ever curious female cubs immediately got up to check us out. Kelsey said that Namibia has the highest population of Cheetah's in the world with a population ~7,000.


Kelsey said that a litter of 6 cubs is quite large, and if they had been born in the wild only a few of them would have survived. She said that they are also preyed on by lions, which I found quite surprising.


Two of the cubs trying to get a better view of us up the tree. Kelsey said that their paws are similar to a dogs rather than a cat, so they are not natural tree climbers like leopards.


After a very interesting hour with these beautiful animals, we hit the road again to begin the drive back to Windhoek, heading north out of Solitaire before turning east on to the D1275.


A steep section of the road that had been paved with bricks to help with traction.


With the clear blue sky the view seemed to be endless.


A panoramic view from above as we continued on


Heading left to Rehoboth.


Looking across farmland where cattle were being raised.


Looking down.


And on to the C26 for the final 36 kilometres to Windhoek.


We finally rolled into Windhoek and made it to the Hilltop Guesthouse just before 3pm.


Our room for $112 for the one night stay.


Welcome drink.


The view from the guesthouse to Windhoek below.


After a bit of a rest, a run and a shower in the afternoon, we headed down the hill to Joe's Beer House for dinner. My guide book said that Joe's was a 'legendary Windhoek institution' and it definitely didn't disappoint!


The menu was quite a treat with lots of interesting meals including zebra tenderloin, ostrich skewers, peppered springbok steak, oryx sirloin, crocodile hotplate and marinated kudu steak!

Myself and Rianda settled on the fresh oysters to share for the starter.


For the main myself and Jordan each had the Bushman Sosatie, which consisted of a selection of loin cuts of crocodile, zebra, kudu, oryx and springbok, served with mango-chili sauce and mieliepap croquettes. Baie lekker!


For dessert Jordan had the Malva pudding while myself and Rianda shared a Amarula Don Pedro.


A really great last meal to end our trip Namibia. When then managed to walk back up the hill to the guesthouse to catch a few winks before our early morning departure tomorrow.


Day 5.

I crawled out of bed at 2:30am and had a quick shower and packed a few last things. We had booked the taxi to Windhoek Airport for 3am to make sure I made my 6am flight back to Johannesburg.

Rianda's flight back to Cape Town wasn't until 8:20am but she decided to catch a ride with me to avoid the hassle of organising a second taxi.

After saying farewell to Jordan and thanking him for the awesome trip, we went outside to wait for the taxi at 2:50am. The taxi driver was already waiting so we headed off for the 46 kilometre drive to Hosea Kutako International Airport.

45 minutes later we arrived at the airport gates. Unfortunately passengers weren't allowed in yet so we had to wait in the taxi for a bit.


Finally at 4am they opened the gates and we were finally allowed in.


After checking in and saying farewell to Rianda, I went through security and immigration and waited for the Air Namibia flight to Johannesburg to board.


Walking across the tarmac to the SW A319.


Tasty sausage and eggs served for breakfast.


And a very welcome cup of black coffee. The flight was only ~25% full with plenty of spare seats.


Back at Johannesburg's O. R. Tambo International Airport after arriving on time just before 9am. I couldn't check in for my 2:10pm flight to Addis Ababa until 11am so I caught up on some Netflix while I waited.


A big juicy burger airside at Mugg & Bean for lunch.


Our ET 777 pulling up to the gate for the flight to Addis Ababa.


And about to board the plane for the final flight back home after an amazing trip to Namibia!