Everything was locked up tight in Upington, South Africa on a Sunday, so Bob thought an excursion would be a good way to spend the day. Unfortunately, a severe thunderstorm thwarted our plans to visit Witsand Nature Reserve Kalahari, the site of the roaring sands.
Under a blue sky abundantly scattered with clouds, we set off at 9 a.m. from our accommodations at Le Must Residence in Upington.
Through broad plains adjacent to the Orange River, we drove towards Groblershoop. This area is referred to as the Green Kalahari and with good reason due in large part to the brisk flowing Orange River that cuts through the otherwise dry semi desert.
Once again, we saw some gigantic Sociable Weaver nests along the roadway.
Some of these thatched birdhouses stretched from the top of a telephone pole right to the bottom. In fact, some telephone poles had toppled under the weight of the massive nests.
Bob and I couldn’t resist hopping out of the car for a few photographs.
It was possible to discern numerous entrance holes into the nest.
Birds coming and going from the monstrous nest kept our interest for several minutes.
We were mesmerized by all the activity, the bird vocalizations underscoring the scene before us.
The route took us to Groblershoop before turning into a dirt road towards Witsand. Bob figured about 59 kilometres remained before reaching the Reserve. Essentially a nasty corduroy road with jutting rocks and loose stones, the route for the next 12 kilometres had us carefully scrutinizing the surface. It was very stressful!
Smoother red soil formed the roadway for the next 24 kilometres, but serious ruts and massive piles of rocks made it hazardous. To top it off, massive storm clouds were amassing on the horizon behind us. It was at this time that Bob and I had a decision to make.
We could see off in the distance what appeared to be white sand dunes, but Bob figured it would take another 30-60 minutes to reach them. Already, we had driven over numerous low-lying sections of road that crossed would-be rivers. With heavy rainfall, the road would become impassable. So our mission was aborted as rain started to fall.
As Bob carefully made haste back towards the highway, the rainfall grew in intensity. An ominous storm front was bearing down on us, sweeping in over the mountains.
Chain lightning and echoing thunder punctuated the thunderous downpour as we concentrated on choosing the best path forward through the rubble.
With thick rivulets of water coursing over the windshield, we didn’t dare stop to photograph even larger thatched birdhouses. Some monopolized complete branches of large trees along the road.
Heaving a sigh of relief as we merged back onto the highway, Bob pulled over on the shoulder to watch and listen to the storm as we had a bite to eat. The road sign pointing to Witsand taunted us in our knowledge that we wouldn’t be seeing it on this trip.
Bob and I were disappointed that the thunderstorm foiled our plans to visit Witsand Nature Reserve Kalahari, but it still was quite an adventure.
Checkout Out Our Other South Africa Adventures
Frame to Frame – Bob and Jean