Okonjima at sunset…

Dear Readers, for our last day in Namibia we went out into the reserve at Okonjima, and headed up the local mountain to watch the sun go down. As we bumped up in the jeep, a troop of Chacma baboons ran away from us – the primates here are not habituated to humans, and so they largely avoid us, which is good for them, and for us. They headed towards their favourite tree, which is where they spend the night to avoid the leopards. Leopards can, of course, climb trees, but the monkeys would be able to see them coming from a fair distance.

One young baboon did keep an eye on us though, as crisps and gin-and-tonics were unloaded from the jeep. He seemed to be indifferent, but I suspect he’d have grabbed a few nibbles given half a chance.

The sun goes down so quickly here, and the colours are constantly changing.

By the end, the baboon tree glows crimson, and the baboons are silhouetted against the sky.

I had been a little frightened about coming to Namibia – it was my first ‘big trip’ since I broke my leg and discovered that I had peripheral neuropathy, with only an estimated 20 percent feeling in my feet. And yet, I coped with dunes, rocky paths, clambering in and out of vehicles and all the trip hazards in various lodges and camps. I ended the trip feeling much more confident than I started it, and I’m already thinking about my next trip. Cheers!