Riverbeds, Deserts and Wildlife

After a resupply of everything we can carry – food, water and all the gas containers topped to the brim – we set off to explore another riverbed. At first there is actually some water, though as we move further West it gets dryer and dryer until I’m driving exclusively through deep sand.

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A little greenery in the riverbed

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The riverbeds are almost always sandy

The riverbed is long and we’re in no particular rush. In the evenings we move well away from what little moisture there is to allow the animals to eat and (maybe) drink, finding what is possibly the best campsite of the entire expedition.

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Is this the best wild camp of the expedition

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Another view of the spectacular wildcamp

During the days we spot and hang out with multiple herds of elephants, giraffes, gemsbok, baboons and a ton of other small critters. Again it feels amazing to just sit and watch a herd of elephants slowly move along the riverbed at their own pace. They are completely unfazed by us, and I love that they actually live here.. there are no fences, and there certainly are no other vehicles or tourists.

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They really look like they’re smiling

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Little guy looking happy

elephant family 720x480

Family crossing

big elephant close 720x480

This guy was right on the side of the track – I didn’t mean to get this close!

At the Western end of the riverbed we drop back into the Namib Desert for a stretch before we loop around and drive in the Western end of a different river, this one much greener and with actual pools of water. Again we see numerous animals and find another spectacular campsite overlooking the whole riverbed.

namibia barren desert jeep 720x480

There is a whole lot of nothing out here

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The Jeep is seriously dwarfed by the endless desert

I feel extremely lucky to have spent so much time out in the wilderness with so many spectacular animals.

jeep wild camping above riverbed 720x480

Maybe this is the best wildcamp – elevated waiting for elephants to walk by in the river.

solitary massive elephant 720x480

This monster was all by himself and did NOT look happy. Maybe sick.

namibia giraffe 320x480

I really like giraffes

namibia gemsbok 720x480

giraffe and little baby 320x480

Momma and tiny baby – must be very new

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The riverbeds are very barren and prone to flash flooding

-Dan

8 Responses

  1. Don Lusk says:

    Hi Dan
    I contacted you about two weeks ago asking for details on were your photos were taken, because I am traveling in that direction. I may make it to the crater by tues the 6th. This dry river you were in is just what I was hoping to find. Could you give me some clues to were it is?
    Thank you Don

    • Dan Grec says:

      Hi Don,

      These photos are all taken in the riverbed that goes south from Sesfontain, the one that has “elephant song camp” in it. (sorry, I don’t have maps with me now). Go down that riverbed towards the coast, then cross the desert and come up the riverbed that comes in the bottom of Purors. It’s a spectacular loop. Might be wet right now, you need to be VERY careful with flash floods. If it’s raining at all, don’t go.
      Tracks for Africa has all the tracks perfectly shown, if that helps.

      Good luck!
      -Dan

      • Walter says:

        Sounds like the Hoanib river bed leading to Amspoort (location of Elephant Song Camp) then across towards Purros.

        • Dan Grec says:

          Hi Walter,

          Yep, that’s the one! I went to the very end of the Hoanib, all the way back into the desert before looping around into the Purros riverbed
          Have fun!

          -Dan

          • Walter says:

            Yeah, good exploration,
            Was there myself to where the dunes start and the rock formation are. It actually is alike a mini Okavango Delta, I found it on Google Earth then went to look for it.
            Quite dramatic descent into the riverbed after Elephant Song camp then along the formation of wash-outs.
            Found Leopard tracks between the rock formations.

  2. Don Lusk says:

    Hi Dan
    First time with internet conection in a while.
    Thank for the advice about the river near Sesfontein, we were up there a few days ago, befor I herd from you, it was very dry. The Hoanid river was mostly dry. We took the 4wd trail up to Umumbaaitje, then to Sesfontein. Elephant tracks but no elephants, so we packed up abd headed off to Etosha were we would see elephants for sure. Came across the cheetah farm late at night, and camped, met Tollie, and his cheetahs, amazing. I think we were just not ment to see elephants this trip, not a one see in Etosha, now heading towards Twyelffonten and on to The Skeleton coast. I realy enjoy your posts thanks

  1. February 4, 2018

    […] the riverbed waiting for animals to wander by! And then back to the desert Tons more pics: http://theroadchoseme.com/riverbeds-…s-and-wildlife -Dan Around Africa in a Jeep Wrangler JK @ To view links or images in signatures your […]

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