Springbok

The landscape between Klein-Pella and Springbok was rather bleak. Until about 30 Km before Springbok, that is! Suddenly the scenery changed; we were in flower country. There was evidence of recent rain, the veld was green, and as we got closer to Springbok the flower displays became more impressive. It is amazing how uplifting it was for the spirit; everything was so beautiful and the promise of spring made us feel elated!

At the Goegap Nature Reserve just outside Springbok we managed to secure the last remaining campsite for the night. All 6 campsites were fully booked for the rest of the weekend but they also have 4 very affordable ‘bush huts’ and we managed to get one of these for the following night.

As soon as Ufudu was parked and levelled on the sloping campsite we took Suzi for a drive through the reserve, just marvelling at the spectacular flower displays. Eventually sounding like a stuck record: ‘oh, it is so beautiful’ over and over again…

The night was glorious; dark (no electricity), quiet and with an amazing night sky! The next day we met our neighbours, Eduard de Koning and Milda van Dalen, and realised that we had already spoken to them briefly at Augrabies.

After moving from the campsite to the Bush Hut we took a drive out to Concordia via Okiep, a suggestion by the ‘Flower Hotline’. There is a field of daisies that simply blows one’s mind.

We got back to the reserve at 16h00 and decided to do the short 4 km hike up the koppie behind the campsite. It took us 2 hours to do the short but challenging circular route. (Yes, I managed even though I was very slow and careful coming down.)

When we walked back into camp after the hike, Eduard and Milda had started a party at their site with some of the other campers. Of course we joined in as well and it turned out to be a really enjoyable evening. There is nothing like a spontaneous party! We ultimately got to bed just before midnight…

The following morning, needless to say, we were rather reluctant to get out of bed. Eventually, after breakfast, we sat quietly on a rock near the campsite, hoping to photograph the Dassie Rats that that Eduard and Milda had seen behind their caravan. Sadly the one brief glimpse did not result in a pic. But a female Rock Agama did oblige…

We took a last drive through the reserve before lunch on Sunday and then moved on to the Namastat Campsite which is on the other side of Springbok.

Driving through Springbok en route to the campsite Roger got a call. It was from our friends Charles and Moya Moller. They were travelling with Rob and Ros Galway and were also in Springbok and had just seen us passing by. They were camping at the same campsite we were heading for, what a lovely surprise! And to top it all, when we got to the campsite our neighbours on the other site were Zigi and Tiaan from the party the previous night. We had a lovely evening catching up with our friends.

We planned to head out to Skilpad the next day so turned in slightly earlier than the previous night…