Desert Wonderers

The Campfire

first mention at Aba-Huab Community Camp (day 3)

There is a misconception that a campfire keeps animals away. It does some, but not necessarily the ones you want kept away. You may have seen photos of lions lying around a campfire, which should remind you that, they may be apex predators, but they are still cats.

The first time we made camp, in 2020, Nigel rushed to light a fire. I couldn’t understand why when it was so hot. After a few campfire nights, I understood the real reason. You need it to sit next to, when you drink your evening beer. It’s a ritual.

We also cook over the campfire using a cast iron pot called a potjie. Stirring a potjie over a campfire is also the ritual.

Reed beds

first mention on the way to Rhino Camp (day 2)

Reeds are not good. Cars can become easily stuck, and you can’t see ahead to know if it’s possible to drive through it. And you can’t walk it because you don’t want to come face to face with any other living creature hidden by the long grass.

Even if you think it is drivable, there is a danger of coming face to trunk with an elephant, who will not take kindly to being surprised, and is likely to express their displeasure in a way which will not end well for you or the vehicle. Or perhaps a lion will surprise you in a way you won’t like, but the lion will.

Desert Varnish

first mention in Desolation Valley (day 5)

Desert Varnish is found in many desert areas of the world. A thin layer of manganese oxide or iron oxide coats the rocks causing a shine. It is a bit of a mystery as to how it forms. It seems clear the the slight moisture from the ocean fogs or dew cause the oxidisation, but its not sure where the manganese or iron come from – its not the rock. Manganese is quite rare and one theory is that there is a biological agent – a microbe at work.