Day 1 Oysters and Champaign

Modderbankies is where the Kuiseb River in ancient times flowed into the Atlantic before it was stopped by the desert. Here we saw the remnants of mud and
silt that were deposited at this estuary millions of years ago. Although the river disappears under the dunes’
fresh underground water filters into the Sandwich Harbour lagoon, it changes the color and temperature of the
water and even the immediate environment, creating a micro-climate that nurtures a huge and abundant bird and sea life. Sandwich Harbour was classified as a Ramsar Wetland of international importance in 1995. The
total area of the Ramsar Wetland is 13,8 hectares.

Combined with the unique vegetation adapted to the micro-climate of this lagoon, this first day set the tone for the diversity in scenery, fauna and flora that we experienced in the following days.
The tracks of animals will reminded us that we were not walking alone and then we saw the lonely jackal. For the last stretch of the day we followed the lagoon’s
shoreline – in the distance the mirage of our fellow hikers seemed to have them floating on water and then up the last dune to our camp.

The day ended perfectly with a 5star camp and a 10star dinner

The oysters and champagne in the desert after a 24 km hike was definitely a first. Followed with steak kebabs and braai broodjies.Read more