Namib and Kalahari Deserts

More to know on these quite amazing regions. The adaptations of the people and animals ,that inhabit them, have made, are quite incredible.
The San people are hunter gatherers ,who have the longest recorded civilization in history. 100,000 years ,perhaps…During the Apartheid years ,they were removed from their homelands ,considered National Parks, and it was thought they had disappeared, but later they returned, over time, to continue to exist, as they always have, but being very clever in how they hunt ,find water and exist as a tribe, with quite amazing “rules”. No direct leaders, nobody is allowed to rise above anyone else, and if a younger man catches/kills a Kudu, the largest of the antelope Family ,complete with large horns,400 lbs and much more sometimes… with just his bow and arrow,[poison tipped]or spear, he is belittled ,to begin with, as nobody, should think themselves special…They have this whole, wise philosophy for life ,they do not work long hours ,just get what they need. There is a movie called The Gods Are Crazy ,that depicts their lives…
The animals that inhabit these arid , inhospitable places ,have to be just as clever, and there are wonderful people, who have given many years of their lives ,to track, study and understand, these animals ,and continue to do so. Learning so much ,previously unknown, the Lion person ,has never ever let the Lions see him, only his vehicle, so he has become part of the landscape, to learn even more ,over a period of 40 years, incredible patience. Making the villagers understand the Lions need to survive, and the Elephants need water as well ,is a huge project and challenge .
Herds of Elephants who know where to find water by actually digging for it, Matriarchs ,who lead them over many years ,to the food and water. Lions who have adapted to killing the marine animals, seals and birds ,to supplement their diet. There are thousands of such things ,as seen by many yesterday, who are also hunted by a Jackal ,who stalks the dunes. The Lions have a sequence of events, in a hunt, a strategy ,that requires placement ,of each one, in the pride, and thinking it through, to remind us that animals are thinkers ,beyond what some may feel .We knew that did we not.! Some of us especially…!
The plants ,like the one I described in my last blog, the Welwitschia, which only ever has 2 leaves, but its ability to capture moisture from the droplets of fog ,is amazing ,and to live for up to 1500 years , even more so…
There are a group of volunteer’s ,from world wide ,who come to help with water for the elephants ,building structures to contain it…Want to join.?
We have come from an amazing lecture, by a very interesting man on board ,who has taught us so much, I was transfixed .Needed to write what I can remember ,right away, to share . He had beautiful pictures ,as well, of such a harsh environment, the driest place in the world ,feel even more pleased to have seen a tiny part.
This is an add on ,You have 2 Blogs ,one below is on Walvis Bay .Read more