Kruger and Southern Africa

[Jacques Vert]

A Chinese construction company is building a Hilton Garden Inn next door; never seen so many construction workers at the same time. At one stage I counted nearly 100 on the one floor.




While waiting for our room, we check out the rooftop bar and pool deck...




Then, our room is ready....as a Diamond member we've been upgraded to a Diplomatic suite with separate lounge and two full bathrooms. Awesome....

 

[Fifa]

Then, our room is ready....as a Diamond member we've been upgraded to a Diplomatic suite with separate lounge and two full bathrooms. Awesome....

Hilton has certainly been looking after you! It was worth your while switching your alliance from that other hotel chain .

BTW - I'm loving your TR!

 

[LadyC]

Glad you got a suitable car. Looking forward to reading about your Namibia travels.

 

[Jacques Vert]

Some views over Windhoek from the rooftop bar at the Hilton...










Back to the lounge to wait for sunset:

 

[Jacques Vert]

Hilton has certainly been looking after you! It was worth your while switching your alliance from that other hotel chain .QUOTE]

How could I resist a status match to Diamond

Trouble is we tend to travel to countries with very few Hiltons so I'll drop back to gold soon; making the most of Diamond status while I can

 

[Jacques Vert]

Some more for you, drron; sunset over Windhoek...

 

[Jacques Vert]

Next morning we drove about 50 mins east to an animal rescue/ private conservation park, 'N/a'an ku se'. Nice facilities and accommodation is available.



We booked in for the morning drive and feeding. Here is our transport:



First stop is to feed two leopards (brother and sister) whose mother died when they were six days old and since raised by hand. Leopards and Cheetahs were two of the animals we didn't see when in Kruger last year so we took this opportunity. Of course, it is not like seeing them in the wild as they are in enclosures and fed by the park rather than hunting their own, but worthwhile nonetheless. The enclosures vary from 4 to 8 hectares.




We also came across this giraffe and baby only 2 to 3 days old (according to our guide). These actually roam free on the unfenced part of the property.

 

[Jacques Vert]

Next it's the lions:









Then those cats with the funny ears (Caracals):

 

[Jacques Vert]

Then...





And we were looking forward to the Cheetahs...





And we couldn't leave without paying a visit to the relatives:




As I said earlier, not as good as seeing them in the wild but our guide was very informative and we learned a lot about the behaviours of the different animals; so overall we enjoyed our visit.

 

[Jacques Vert]

On the road again, the Trans-Kalahari Highway; not a lot to see at first...




but it gets worse:

 

[Jacques Vert]

Finally we arrive at Swakopmund:













Living in Coffs Harbour we are familiar with the benefit of a sea breeze. However, the effect here is staggering; it is so cool along the seafront that I will take my jacket to dinner tonight (for +1 to wear home) whereas just a couple of km inland the heat is oppressive.

 

[Jacques Vert]

Our digs at the Hotel Zum Kaiser:





Proof that it can get quite cold here?...



Another one of those rooms with an open bathroom:




A sun deck outside our room, but we share it with 3 other roooms:

 

[Jacques Vert]

We had dinner at a restaurant called "The Tug" at the beach end of the jetty:

I had the garlic snails:



View attachment 92916

+1 went for the Camembert:




Then the mains; +1's Coconut Kabeljou:




My Oryx Surf and Turf




All very good.

 

[Imw]

Loved this report. Great for all of us armchair travellers!!!! Thanks

 

[Jacques Vert]

A short walk around town and a visit to the V.I.C. Along the way we came across the band from a local high school; absolutely brilliant:



After Swakopmund we are headed south so, as we have two nights here, we decided to head a little to the north to see what the scenery is like. First a tour of the 'burbs...

 

[Jacques Vert]

Wasn't there something in the bible about..."build your house upon the rock, not upon the sand"?






Then heading further north...




The salt destroys everything...






Really?

 

[Jacques Vert]

More of the Dorob National Park...




Interesting scenery, isn't it?




It stays like this for quite some time then we see something in the distance...

 

[Jacques Vert]

Turns our to be a pub with cold beer, wine and spirits, and the compulsory country and western singer (in German & Afrikaans, of course).

 

[Jacques Vert]

There's always a sign that doesn't seem quite right:




Then back into Swakopmund to look at some of the historic buildings...

 

[Jacques Vert]

That night we had dinner at "The Jetty" restaurant; excellent view, great food. Very enjoyable...