Continuing on our overland trip through Zambia, Botswana, Namibia and South Africa, we were able to stock up on food and supplies in Rundu for the next few days camping.  The power was on and off in town, and Donny and Rowan were on an unsuccessful hunt for a better tool to flap the morning fires with.  Stores were filled with every random thing under the sun (plastic shoes, batteries, electronics, bins of knicknacks, cheap clothes) except what they needed.  Rundu was dusty hustle bustle, and after the big group grocery shop we head out.

Lodging was bush camp style that night near the famous, giant baobab tree.  It’s the oldest known in the country and had been used in the past as everything from a place to shelter cattle to a cafe to an ambush spot, chapel and interrogation chamber.  We set up our tents, and planned to see the tree in the morning.  As we were getting into rockier areas, we were warned to move our tents and check carefully for scorpions in the morning before breaking them down. Great. In the night I was sure I could hear one scratching the dirt right under my ear. I’m pretty sure he was trying to get in.

We were first up in the morning, since the fires had to be started.  I was on cook group and wanted to get back early to start making everyone’s toast with beans and setting out the tea and Milo.  As we walked down the dusty path heading to the tree, we were as startled by three oryx as they were probably startled by us.  They were HUGE, and galloped off right away into the low brush in a camouflaged escape. They disappeared in an instant.

The Outapi baobab was gigantic, with bulging bark and an amazing girth.  After a few photos we head back to camp since we’d be entering Etosha National Park later in the day.

More Baobab pics.