| Introduction | Windhoek | Okonjima | Okaukejo 1 | Onguma | Okaukejo 2 | Mowani |
| Swakopmund | Hoodia | Namtib | Fish River | Springbok | Babylon’s Toren | Going Home |
Thursday 26th October
The drive to Springbok in the Northern Cape region of South Africa was long – almost 600km – and uneventful.
The reason it was so long was because the Fish River canyon was in the way. We had to drive north and east to Keetmanshoop to get a tar road to the south side of the canyon.
Crossing the border into South Africa took us about twenty minutes. The border people were not very interested in tourists in private cars.
Once in South Africa the road was a bit wider, the vegetation a bit more lush. We were in Namaqualand but were a couple of months too late for the spectacular spring flower season. In Springbok we were told that is when the place is full of international tourists. Apparently 2023 was a very good year for flowers.
We eventually got to Springbok and found our B&B (Annie’s Cottage) without trouble and were soon ensconced in our room feeling as if we had moved back to the 1950’s but with all mod cons available.
Annie’s cottage was nice but Springbok did not impress. Maybe we were tired after a long drive but it seemed run down and waiting for better times. And the pizzas we had for dinner were not good. But they were very cheap.
The restaurant we ate at had a table of elderly Afrikaners who looked askance at everybody, but also a table of four young coloured girls who were having a girls night out. They ordered soft drinks and some food and said grace before they ate – it was charming and unexpected.
And the next day after a very good breakfast we headed for the Cape Winelands.