Road Trip to Sossusvlei, Namibia

The day began early on this African roadtrip after my first night of camping…ever. We packed snacks for breakfast and ate along the way to Fish River Canyon. It was about a 15 minute drive and I was so excited to be there! Despite living in America for 23 years at the time, I have never been the the Grand Canyon so seeing the World’s second largest canyon was quite the treat.

We arrived around 7:00am and no one was there. I mean no one at all. It was deafening silence in the desert while at the canyon. I had what an individual would call an ‘out of body experience’ for the first time of many on this road trip. I asked myself questions that included but not limited to; Where am I? Why is it so quiet? Where is everyone? How on earth did I get here? Am I seriously in Africa with Maxwell?

For the first time since we met, Maxwell and I have nothing to say to each other. We took in the silence and observed the magnificent world wonder.

Fish River Canyon, Namibia

Fish River Canyon, Namibia

I walked to the edge of the cliff, much too close for Maxwell’s comfort, and just sat. If you know me at all, I typically am never at a loss for words- this was one of the rare moments.

Next to the edge of Fish River Canyon, Namibia

Looking out at Fish River Canyon, Namibia

It was silent at Fish River Canyon, Namibia

I was expecting there to be broods of people, crowding around the best picture spots. Almost an hour later, still no one else at the canyon. So we continued along on our way after getting this awe inspiring geographical anomaly to ourselves… after a few more pictures, of course.

Gazing out at Fish River Canyon, Namibia

Maxwell enjoying his second time at the canyon

Together at the canyon

Love love love

Shameless selfie

After the canyon, we drove for awhile before finding our lunch spot.

Scenery along the way on the roadtrip

Open space

Taking advantage of the space

Why not take pictures in the middle of the road

Artsy in Namibia

Cruising along

Along the way, we see something on the side of the road, we immediately know that it is a dead animal on the fence. For some reason I direct Maxwell to go back to it. Knowing that a predator has for sure dragged this poor kudu on to this fence, we drop all reason and get out to take pictures with it. I remember vividly asking Maxwell to take of picture of me with it. (He loves my.. uniqueness)

Posing with the dead kudu on the Namibia Roadtrip

Dead kudu on a fence

Happy and grossed out by the dead kudu

After the dead kudu endorphins wear off, we arrive at our lunch location- a small oasis, the Canon Roadhouse. It is a full restaurant and bar with a great gift shop. Maxwell and I need a CD to listen to because our auxiliary cable that was purchased in Springbok, South Africa is not working.

The CD was AMAZING.

(I say WAS in the previous statement because we no longer have possession of it. Unfortunately it was forgotten in the CD player of the rental when we returned it. It haunts me to this day and I will go back to this Canon Roadhouse to find it)

Canon Lodge and Roadhouse

The moment I had been waiting for finally occurs. We begin to see animals. The animal list for the whole day is: ostrich, springbok, oryx, kudu, rabbit, jackal, zebra, weaverbirds, and the dead kudu 🙂

My first ostrich sighting!

Namibia is the second least densely populated country in the world. That being said, we got out to stretch our legs and take pictures in the road whenever we so pleased.

The gravel roads were terribly bumpy, uneven, and hilly (mountainous?). So of course, Maxwell asks if I want to learn how to drive a manual car and I agree. This lasts all of 2 miles and then I give up.

(For reference and gratitude, this trip in total was 4,000 miles. Maxwell drove 3,998/4,000. What a trooper.)

The scenery continues to be beautiful in a post-apacolyptic, uninhabited way. The land is dry, the sand dunes are petrified, and green foliage is a thing of the past. I never thought I would love this scrub landscape the way I do.

We were driving to our next campsite during sunset on the Namib desert. We were running behind schedule due to our long meal, shopping, and many breaks along the way. It was a race to get to the campsite gate before the sun went down- otherwise we were camping with no fence on the side of the road- not ideal for my second night of camping.

Amazing landscape in the Namib desert

Oryx crossing in the Namib

Inquisitive oryx

The oryx were putting on a show for us as we were driving in and created quite the beautiful scene.

Despite the possibility of being left out of the gate- we still took many pictures along the way.

Sunset over the Namib desert

Luckily we arrived at our campsite in time. There was a restaurant on site that we quickly got a table at. While drinking Namibian beer in a thatched roof restaurant, I looked around and took in my surroundings. The only thing I was able to muster up while looking at Maxwell was, I love you.

Time for sleep- the dunes were waiting for us in the morning.

Day two of our African road trip: Fish River Canyon to Sossusvlei