Ecki had recommended us to take the Pad D 2329, which leads eastwards past the Omaruru Game Lodge to Mt. Etjo and Waterberg. This reserve was founded by the Swiss architect Thomas Domenig from Chur. (I sincerely hope that it wasn’t the architect who built the ugly skyscraper in this city!)

Whatever the case: This sandy pad was wonderful to drive because it led us through a beautiful environment that led us through riviere some of which still had water. It was a trip through an Africa that shows itself from its most beautiful side. On the left and right of the pad, the grass is almost meters high after the rain. Acacias stand in full splendor and green in the landscape. Every now and then a springbok would jump out of the grass and cross the pad. Or a turtle rested on it. (Then I stopped each time so we could pick it up and move it to the side into the tall grass – an injured owl on the roadside is enough for us!)

PS. In the north, on the Kunene, no rain has fallen yet; and has been for six years. Now there is a threat of famine and cattle and small livestock are perishing because they have no more fodder. Hopefully the rain god still has some understanding …