Rocky's Ride Detailed Travel Log Day 8: 10/08/24 Agama Lodge - Namib Sky 78.25km Rocky’s wildlife count was climbing fast. Several ostriches and two small herds of springbok got him completely worked up en route to Sesriem. Whenever he caught the scent of wildlife, he’d stand with his front legs stiff as boards, vibrating with excitement. More than once, during a break, he’d vanish across the stony landscape like a caffeinated squirrel, chasing after some desert critter I couldn’t even see. The stony plains around Sesriem and further south in Namibia are part of the vast desert that defines the region. Sesriem, close to the iconic Sossusvlei sand dunes and the Namib-Naukluft National Park, is surrounded by rugged, arid terrain that forms part of the greater Namib Desert. These stony plains, or reg deserts, are blanketed with gravel and pebbles, shaped over millions of years by weathering and erosion. Sparse but resilient vegetation dots the landscape, mostly drought-tolerant shrubs and grasses. Geologically, these plains are significant, sitting atop the Pan-African land surface - a broad feature formed during the Pan-African Orogeny around 600 to 500 million years ago. This ancient surface, heavily weathered and eroded, is a remnant of tectonic events that shaped modern Africa. In the Sesriem area, the land reveals weathered rock formations that tell the story of these ancient continental movements, with exposed metamorphic and igneous rocks reflecting its dynamic geological past. Navigating this bumpy terrain, with its corrugated gravel roads and uneven grading, led to three trailer flips. I nearly lost a couple of spokes when the trailer arm jammed into the rear wheel. At one point, Rocky took a tumble as I struggled to control the bike and free the trailer. But, true to form, Jack Russells are tough as nails. He came away unscathed, only to look at me with his head cocked as if to say, “What the hell are you doing, drive properly?” I got my first taste of tar on this trip for a few kilometres just outside Sesriem. My mind was grateful, but Rocky—and my butt—were especially thankful for this brief reprieve! Sesriem has developed into a key tourist hub, offering lodges, campsites, and basic amenities for visitors heading to Sossusvlei. The name "Sesriem" means "six belts" in Afrikaans, referring to the early settlers who had to tie together six ox straps (or belts) to lower buckets into the nearby canyon to draw water. Unfortunately I was not allowed access into the park because Rocky was with me. Sossusvlei is about 60 km from Sesriem and lies within the Namib-Naukluft National Park, a salt and clay pan surrounded by massive red sand dunes, some of the tallest in the world. . The drive from Sesriem to Sossusvlei takes visitors through the heart of the Namib Desert, offering breathtaking views of ever-shifting sand dunes. These sand dunes are some of the most photographed in the world due to their stunning reddish-orange hues. Dune 45, Big Daddy, and Dead Vlei are among the most popular spots for climbing and photography. The vibrant colour of the dunes is a result of iron oxidation over millions of years, and the dunes are constantly shifting due to wind patterns. This massive park, one of the largest in Africa, surrounds Sesriem and Sossusvlei. It is a biodiversity hotspot, home to various desert-adapted plants and animals. Despite the extreme aridity, creatures like oryx, springbok, ostriches, and even smaller predators like jackals can be seen roaming I took a much-needed break at a petrol station that sold fresh sandwiches, pies, coffee, and cool drinks. Unfortunately, my brain started to malfunction as all my energy was focused on keeping my legs pumping, and I forgot to stock up on food—specifically droëwors and biltong, which had become Rocky's staple diet. This error in judgement would come back to bite me in the but the following day. I finished my ride at the Namib Sky office, about 20 km down the road. They offer hot air ballooning over the Namib Desert, one of Namibia's most breathtaking experiences, allowing visitors to glide over the stunning desert dunes, vast open sky, and rugged landscapes. I arrived late and called the manager, who kindly let me camp on their premises. However, I was politely asked to leave before sunrise as they were expecting a group of 60 guests early in the morning. With running water and access to luxury ablution facilities, I was more than happy to stay the night, as I had no energy to continue further. Initially, I didn’t plan on setting up my tent, but the mosquitoes and bugs had other ideas, proving quite bothersome while I tried to read by headlamp.