From Kamanjab, I followed the C 40 out west, it felt like 40 deg. Celsius already. Another dry, dusty and corrugated track ahead of me. I have been told that desert elephants and lions would inhabit the ‘Groote Berge’ (Big Mountains), good enough reason to go out and have a look. These animals are rare due to its arid habitat, and their habitat is huge. They are even harder to spot, even if you drive by closely.

The landscape changed into red sand,  dotted with granite boulder mounts here and there.

Just like someone oversized left their marbles there.

Interestingly enough, they are mostly piled up.

Some scrubs and other interesting vegetation grows out here.

Driving over ‘Groote Berg Pass’ was another very dusty affair.

The boulders decimated to bowling ball size and literally covered the whole land.

‘Die Groote Berge’ lined the horizon afar.

Quite a dramatic scene. This land was impossible to drive by car, imagine the early ‘Vortrekkers’ and explorers on horses and carriages. Mission impossible.

The odd tree with green leaves popped up, spring is well on its way.

Some scrubs looked intriguing. Like an oversized ginger root popping out of the hard soil,  they seem to thrive here in all sizes. As arid and dry this land appears, it has its own desert beauty.

Mountains near and far lined the horizon, whilst driving through the moon like area.  As much as I could, driving and spotting, no elephants or lions were seen. It was steaming hot meanwhile, like so many times before.

Zimba’s dusty thermometer showed 45 degrees C as I turned east at Khowarib. Here, the ‘Hoamib River’ is still partially flowing.

It had carved a gorge through the soft limestone. I was hoping some desert animals would show, even with human settlements nearby. 

I followed the gorge a few kilometers and found a nice camp spot.

The only reason I didn’t drive deeper into the gorge was the extreme amount of bulldust. Gusty afternoon trade winds pushed dust clouds through some parts of the canyon. No thanks.

However, it was a nice spot to spend the night. No animals showed up though. With only limited time left on my African adventure, I need to take Zimba further south. I returned the same road until Palmwag, and headed straight for the ‘Damaraland’.

3 Kudu males were resting and eating on a leafy tree not far from the road.

They had some impressive antlers, these are grown males.

As curious as they were, they didn’t want to give up this picnic spot.

Food and shade in one, a rare treat in the desert.

The early morning sun gave a different light to yesterday’s harsh, bright light.

The boulders were lining the veld like an oversized snooker table, with the odd tree in open space. 

The gusty winds already kicked in, blowing tail dust clouds to the west.

A good 50 kms south off Palmwag, the sand track cut through the mountain range seen earlier from a long way out.

It reminded me a bit off the ‘Monument Valley’ area in the USA.

Odd shaped granite rock formations teamed with limestone mountains tops.

A spectacular arid view over an unforgiving, yet stunning desert.