My 04h30 alarm did not go off, but that was because I was wide awake at 04h20. My target departure time was 05h30. All I had to do was put my small bag in the car and disconnect the home electricity for the fridge.
I set off at my time and was a bit apprehensive as to what I was undertaking. First trip of this sort alone. My first half hour was consumed by going through everything mentally trying to find out what I had forgotten to pack. Nothing popped up so hopefully all okay.
The roads close to Cape Town and surrounds were surprisingly busy at that time. The Land Cruiser soon settled into a rhythm and I was on my way. First stop was breakfast at Klawer. Nothing special and fortunately the place was very quiet with few people. The long and steep climb up the Van Rhyns Pass where you gain about 700m of altitude was slow, but the views are awesome. First fuel stop at Calvinia saw the Cruiser swallow liters of fuel.
What can one say about the stretch from there past Brandvlei, Kenhardt and on to Keimoes. Well usually not much, but today was different. From Kenhardt the veld was green with pools of standing water and streams flowing. Mixed with the green was an oasis of yellow flowers that made Namaqualand look boring. It just got better and better.
Upington eventually popped up with the obligatory fuel stop. Then, what can only be described as a once in a life time, for me certainly, the drive from there to Kgalagadi Lodge. The veld was lush and thick with grasses that covered the dunes. Made the English countryside look quite drab. How green was my valley had nothing on it.
Now holed up just outside the park on a fantastic evening overlooking the dunes and the green. Kgalagadi Lodge is recommended.
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