Teufelskrallen

I wanted to stay at the Bagatelle Lodge but it was 40km on a sand road off the main B1 tar road and I had already driven 600km and was too tired to ply the sand road.  Sand roads take more concentration.  So next I opted for the Kalahari Red Dunes Lodge, which was just off the tar road near Kalkrand, but it was just too expensive.  They wanted N $1800 a night, which is about US $200.  Luckily, they recommended a sister property called Teufelskrallen, which was just 10km up the road.

Teufelskrallen turned out to be perfect.  It was a very small guest lodge with 6 tented challets in the Kalahari desert and a private water with a herd of springbok.  Each challet was made with tented fabric nailed to wooden beams.  The bathroom was outdoors, with solar heated water, and a great bush feeling.

The setting was peaceful.  It had huge vistas and wonderful sunrises, sunsets, starlight, a nice pool, and good cheap food.  And the rate was only N$ 760/night, or about US $ 80, including breakfast.  I stayed two nights and spent one day just relaxing at the pool.  The main building had a lovely restaurant that served very good food. 

The full day I spent at the pool was Namibian Independence Day so there were only two people on staff.  I was the only guest in the lodge and had the whole space to myself.  I sunned, swam, and lazed in the hammock.  It was a great down day after the long drive the day before and a perfect way to round out a perfect trip in Africa for a month.

I also walked around and did some macro photography.

I particularly hunted the red dragonflies that swarmed around the pool drinking sips of water between insect hunts.

At the end of the day, some clouds rolled in and we had some fantastic sunsets.

Sunrise on the last day, March 22nd, was also fantastic.

I took one last shot out my chalet window of the springbok at the water hold and one of me as a self portrait after 22 days in the hot Namibian Sun. 

I would say I feel completely satisfied with this trip.  I did more than I expected, learned a lot, and don't have any regrets.  It was enough time to get far away from normal life.  I travelled alone but never felt lonely.  I met wonderful people in every place I visited, made good new friends, and developed a deep love for this wonderful country Namibia. 

I will surely be back.