We stopped for our last picnic on route, accompanied by the last duet from my fellow travellers.

On route, we stopped at a settlement of farms in a valley lush with palm oil trees and wine vines. A dam controlled the water flow allowing a range of plants to grow.

On the rocky coastline, we visited Diaz Point with its lighthouse and a relic of the cross erected in July 1488 by the Portuguese navigator Artolomeu Dias on his return from the Cape of Good Hope. From this point, we were able to see seals and dolphins.

It was hard to believe that anything could be better than yesterday, but Namibia continues to surprise. The scenery today was spectacular as we drove south through the Namib-Naukluft National Park. The oldest desert on earth, and then flanked by the Naukluft Mountains - barren, beautiful and filled with an appeal of their own.

There will be days that stand out in my memory for ever and this will be one of them. Visiting the sand dunes of the Sossusvlei was quite extraordinary. We set off as soon as the park gates opened and stopped to climb up the Dune 45 for the sunrise.

The scenery was already transforming into desert landscapes again with incredible rock formations. We saw the occasional ostriches and the entrances to distant lodges and farms. We stopped on a ridge to get a sense of the space, tranquillity and antiquity..

Swakopmund has a sleepy seaside atmosphere that grew on me during the day. The town is a grid arrangement of shops and offices, many with German names and architecture.

The Cape Cross Seal Reserve was an incredible sight to behold. I have never seen so many seals in one place. Added to the volume of bodies was the assertive callings and odoriferous smells of piles of poo.

I felt uncomfortable at this village. Though the women and children were pleasant and friendly, the whole experience seemed like a show for tourists, a tokenistic acting of parts leading as quickly as possible to an intense vying for selling their goods.

Days highlights were the 45% slanted necks of the staggered giraffes, the elephants chasing each other around the small lagoon, the elephant that walked right by the jeep and to end the day, the elephant enjoying its solitary space at the lit waterhole.

The highlights today were the elephants and seeing a hyena slink off into the undergrowth. I've adopted the hyena as my animal symbol; they are witty, courageous, smart and incredibly caring animals according to google!

Ending the day with sightings of black rhinos was just magical. These creatures are huge, majestic and prehistorical in appearance. It was very special to see these animals up so close and in a natural habitat.

Hosea Kutako (1870-1970) of the Herero tribe took over as chief when the inherited position holder was taken into exile. He advocated for non violence and unity of the Namibian people against apartheid.

In a side street in Oshikango, you can find an assortment of minibuses that ply the road to Windhoek leaving around 12:00 each day. I bought a 300N ticket from one driver who looked like his vehicle might have a near full cohort of passengers, and waited.

The Namibian police on the border were very helpful - advised me about changing money and onward travel. All very smooth and trouble free. As it was late afternoon, by the time I entered Namibia, I chose to stay the night in Oshikango at the Piscas Motel.