Rick's NightQuill (8/21)

Another good night’s rest before a late breakfast and a sad farewell to the comfy Mushara Outpost as the not-so-cute, but friendly, family of warzenschwein snorted “Auf wiedersehen.”

The Fearsome Foursome headed back to the Jeep for our 3 hour drive to Okonjima, passing an occasional baboon or vart-zen-shvine family along the paved and relatively deserted B1 highway.

We stopped at a green and blue-hued mountain lake, with a checkered past as a mine and dumping ground for munitions. Dan and Anne explored the rim, while Rick and Nancy relaxed in the shade.

By early afternoon, after filling up the Jeep one last time, we arrived at the entrance to the Okonjima Bush Camp, home to the Africat Foundation, where David, from our local tour operator, met us at the gate. After a few hugs and obnoxious comments about riding injuries, Dan and Nancy transferred their luggage and headed back to Windhoek for their flight to Botswana and 6 days chasing elephants on horseback AKA Rick’s definition of hell.

Rick and Anne followed the dirt road for another 24km, up into the hills, until they reached the parking lot of the Bush Camp, and entered the quaint open-air dining and lounge areas, noticing the oryx drinking at the nearby water hole as we checked in. Tina provided an overview of the camp and activities before we enjoyed high tea and met Jacques, who would be our guide for the next few days. After tea, Tina escorted us to the “honeymoon suite,” under the somewhat mistaken impression that we were 25 year-old newlyweds.

With its own bird feeder, patio, expansive and very private view of the hillside, two queen-sized beds, double sinks, a small kitchenette, a tree in the shower, and an outdoor shower to boot, we had finally landed in the lap of luxury that we probably shouldn’t get too accustomed to. Acres and acres devoted to two newlyweds (1 day in a biblical sense, I guess) and the local birds, warzenschwein, and kudu.

Following another gourmet meal that helped prune the antelope stock, we joined a few non-honeymoon guests for a late night excursion to a blind for some evening game viewing. We anxiously took our seats as Sakias placed some meat on the other side of the curtain. The sound of maracas filled the blind when he returned, rolled up the curtain, and revealed a small prickle of porcupine pushing, rattling, and shoving their way around a small pile of leftover kudu filets.

They were simply adorable and incredibly noisy

as they bumped and ground their way around their late night snack.

Eventually, we headed back to our villa, gazed at the brilliant starlit sky, and shouted “goodnight honey” across the double-queen beds.