As we’ve grown used to in the past few days, the morning greets us with sunshine, clear skies, and crisp cold air. We take the chance to work a little on the blog and upload a new post. Meanwhile, we snap a few shots of the beautiful central area of Waterberg Guest Farm, bathed in the soft light of early morning.
We’re only staying at this charming guesthouse for one night and hit the road early—there’s a drive of about 300 kilometers (roughly 185 miles) ahead of us. Our time in Namibia is slowly drawing to a close, and we’re beginning to wrap our heads around the idea of flying back to Germany. For our final two nights, we’ve booked accommodation in Windhoek, on the eastern outskirts of the city, heading toward the airport. But we’ve planned a little detour on the way.
Our journey takes us back onto the B1 national road, cruising along at a familiar pace of about 110 km/h (around 68 mph). The next major stop is Okahandja, approximately 150 kilometers (93 miles) away. Michael passes the time once again by measuring the longest straight stretches between two curves. First 14, then 18, then an incredible 20 kilometers (over 12 miles) dead straight—quite impressive!
Along the way, we pass another police checkpoint, but we’re waved through without issue. These roadside checks seem to be a regular feature along the B1.
At Okahandja, the B1 merges into the A1—one of only two four-lane highways in Namibia and the main northern entry into Windhoek.
The drive becomes even smoother now, with overtaking much easier. At one point, we pass a large walled property stretching for quite some distance. The bricks used in the wall look very familiar—possibly the same type we saw being made at the factory in Uis.
Soon, we reach Windhoek and are met by another police checkpoint. We’ve come to realize that all roads into and out of the city are monitored. Once again, we’re waved through. We merely brush past Windhoek and quickly head west on the C28. Our destination is Daan Viljoen Game Park, just 25 kilometers (15.5 miles) from the capital. The park covers an area of 40 square kilometers (15.4 square miles) and has been open since 1962. While it’s home to plenty of wildlife, it’s free of dangerous animals, making it ideal for exploring on foot via various hiking trails.
At the heart of the park lie several reservoirs. The largest and deepest among them is the Augeigas Dam, built in 1933 after a drought and standing 21 meters (about 69 feet) tall. Thanks to its idyllic setting, there’s a camp, some bungalows, and even a restaurant nearby.
At the entrance, we’re given a map and a tip: there’s a scenic drive called the “One Way Detour” that branches off from the main paved road—but it’s strictly for 4×4 vehicles.
We decide to check it out. The start of the detour looks manageable, so we take it. The track is said to be more scenic—and indeed, the surroundings quickly become dramatic.
Before long, the road turns into a true rollercoaster of steep ups and downs. Two river crossings, in particular, challenge us with steep descents and climbs over rocky, rain-eroded paths. It’s all doable for our capable 4×4, but we now fully understand: when Namibians say “4×4 required,” they mean it. The bumps are soon forgotten as we’re rewarded with beautiful vistas and photo stops. There’s even a little picnic spot, which we gladly use.
We’re reminded we’re in a wildlife park when, just around a bend, we suddenly come across a group of wildebeests, some basking in the sun, others resting in the shade. They’re a bit more skittish than those in Etosha and begin to move as we approach. We drive past as quietly and respectfully as possible.
Eventually, after 6.5 kilometers (about 4 miles) of off-road adventure, we reach the reception, pay our entrance fee, and head toward the scenic Augeigas reservoir. Technically, day visitors aren’t allowed into the lodge area, but we’re permitted to walk the road and paths nearby.
We stroll along the road beside the lake until we reach the narrow but high dam wall. It’s amazing how much water is held back by a river that runs dry most of the year. The surface is mostly green with algae, almost looking like a lush meadow—but the water birds love it.
On weekends, many locals from Windhoek come here—and we can see why.
Despite thoroughly enjoying our time here, we’re a bit disappointed at having seen so few animals—just the wildebeests on the detour. So we decide to take a short detour on the way back to a lookout point mentioned on the map. When we get there, the road looks rough again, so we leave the car and go on foot.
From the top, we have a great view of a small reservoir, and—finally!—a gathering of animals. Mostly springboks and wildebeests are gathered at the water. Yes, we really are in a game park!
But it gets even better. Just a few steps further, we come across a giraffe, standing close to the path and nibbling from a tall tree.
We’ve never been this close to a giraffe before. The animal stares at us motionlessly, but doesn’t move away. We continue quietly around a bend—and suddenly we’re face to face with even more giraffes!
We can hardly believe how close we are to them. They keep a respectful distance, but show no fear. Some glance at us, others continue eating. We remain as quiet and calm as possible and savor the magical moment.
What luck! Had we driven this side path instead of walking, we probably would have scared them off.
After some time—truly a highlight of the day—the giraffes slowly wander off and we make our way toward the Superspar supermarket for supplies. From the C28, we get a good view of Windhoek’s outskirts.
The city is growing fast, as many people move from rural areas to seek opportunity here. As a result, some areas still have simple corrugated-metal shacks. But we get the sense that the city government is trying to improve the situation—we see many new housing developments throughout the city. The houses are small, either detached or in rows, but everything looks neat and well-planned.
At the supermarket parking lot, we pull in next to a quad bike from Germany. The parking attendants are thrilled and start taking photos—so do we!
Tonight, we not only shop but also enjoy a typical Namibian dinner: meatballs in white sauce with rice, spinach, and carrots—plus pizza. Surprisingly delicious. While we eat, we browse the Allgemeine Zeitung, a local German-language newspaper. One article reports on a cold front in South Africa, complete with snow chaos—which fits with the cold spell we’ve been experiencing. There’s even a beautiful photo with the story.
And now it’s finally time to head to our accommodation: Ti Melen Boutique Guesthouse, perched on a hill on the eastern edge of the city, in the direction of the airport. We’ll share more about this lovely place in tomorrow’s post.