Post trip I looked up the distance from Swakopmond to Etosha. Google maps estimated a 4 hour 55 minute drive. Real life took about 6 hours, 3 15-minute power naps and a sh*t ton of willpower. Total distance was 491 km. Not only was it long, but it was straight. SO STRAIGHT. As far as you could see.
Since all the high ways were only two lanes I was forced to get really comfortable at passing large trucks cars. Everytime we passed a car the speed alarm scolded us -__-
The only thing to break up the monotonous drone of the Rav's engine was the annoying high pitch noise that screamed at us every time we went over the speed limit. So even if we wanted to get there faster, we couldn't.
Pause at 0:05 to see if you can spot the kudu antlers.
Every once in awhile we would drive past a herd of cattle grazing or cautionary animal crossing sign. Sometimes we even saw farmers or work crew setting up camp on the side of the road. Other than that it was blue skies and gray road. Halfway into the drive, about 250 km north, the environment shifted from shrubs and dirt to a sea of acacia trees.
The last hour of the drive was the hardest part. We hadn't been able to pick up lunch before we left or in any of the town. Biggest mistake of our lives. We were running on fumes by the time we reached 450km and couldn't finish out the drive without stopping a few times to power nap.
We finally made the last turn onto the road to Mushara Outpost. As we pulled into the parking lot, we were greeted by a warthog and her piglets!
We had arrived just after the afternoon game drive left so we just went back to the room to hang out and rest until dinner. The lodge was all inclusive so there was a set three course dinner every night. Noms.
Halfway through dinner Taryn got so sick she has to walk back to the tent to sleep. I finished off dessert and joined her to head to bed early.