Namib Desert, Swakopmund

Tommy was a very comical character, constantly making jokes and making us all feel welcome on our first day. Driving us in a 1950’s British army ambulance (!) through the desert, he knew exactly what to look for, having grown up in the area and spent his life getting to know these lesser known African species. The two I’d most hoped to see were the Sidewinder and Chameleon, and the former was the first species on our search. Only 30 minutes’ drive out of the city itself and we were in the Namib Desert peering into shaded patches of scrub bush in the search for this little snake. Tommy was looking for the tell-tale pattern in the sand the snake leaves as it moves in its iconic S-shaped way. We had no luck so moved further into the desert.