Diary of the Namibia Desert Challenge 2009 by Lynne Turner
Day 1
After a long and tiring flight including a transfer via Frankfurt (with bomb scare!) I was relieved to see that everyone had collected their luggage. I was even happier to see the familiar and friendly face of Kobus Alberts our experienced Namibian Guide from Wild At Heart Safaris who introduced us to Albert Hays our medic. We then set off in the coach for a 6 hour journey towards the foothills of the Brandberg Mountain. As tarmac road started to turn into dusty track the coach finally arrived at the designated meeting place and we were met by the third member of the logistics team Faan Oosthuisen of Kaurimbi Expeditions. It was time to transfer luggage and bodies onto Faan’s truck. A small group took up Faan’s offer of travelling African-style on the roof of the truck while the rest bundled inside with the luggage. After a short and bumpy ride the truck stopped about 6km from our first camp, everyone disembarked and we walked into camp. Although it was now late afternoon and the sun would be setting in a couple of hours we were all struck by the fierce heat of the sun and I wondered what had happened to the cool front that Kobus had mentioned earlier.
Crossing plains covered mostly in gravel we made good time, and all arrived alive but tired after the long trip, just before sunset. Our camp consisted of pitched tents, bright green toilet tents with the infamous “long drop toilets”, newly dug and a makeshift kitchen next to the truck. Clifton and Kennedy were busy preparing dinner, while we got a chance to acquaint ourselves with our surroundings.
After a dinner of Spaghetti (kudu) Bolognese, great comfort food, we all huddled around the camp fire for a briefing on the next day’s route and local wildlife. Albert gave us a briefing on general health and hygiene in and around the camp. Everyone was keen to know what kind of creepy crawlies we might encounter in the night and as if on cue Kobus caught, and then accidentally dropped into the middle of the group, a large Solifuge (Roman spider) and then a splendid light brown scorpion. I’m not sure how this helped ease the nerves before bed but the screams would certainly have kept the larger animals at bay. Everyone was tired after their long journey and gradually headed for their tents and the first night under canvas. At around 3-4am we heard what sounded like a big dog scavenging in the bins outside our tent, probably a jackal or hyena but we certainly learned not to leave unwrapped food around in future!
