Tracking Desert Elephants through Namibia's Hidden Canyon

Intro

Corné and his friends still have a lot to discover on this episode. The team takes part in a signing tradition, they find a lonely guy in the middle of nowhere, and an elephant takes part in a show and tell in the Puros Canyon. Join us as we continue our scenic adventure through the Namibian landscape, on this episode of Tusk and Tyre Overlanding.

Morning in the Hartmannsvlakte

We spent a good evening camped in the Hartmannsberge. Quiet, simple, and exactly what we needed. In the morning we had a small breakfast, packed up, and pointed the vehicles towards the Hartmannsvlakte. Not long after, the mountains began to loosen their grip. The hard, rocky ridges fell away, and in front of us the landscape opened up into what feels like the true beginning of the vlakte. And it hit us all at once. The contrast is almost unreal. Dark brown and black mountains standing like sentinels on the horizon, while the ground shifts beneath you from deep red dune sand to pale, almost white sand that looked like it belongs to another planet.

We stopped for a light brunch, not because we were hungry, but because we needed a moment to take it in. We stood there in complete silence, honestly amazed at the beauty and the solitude of it all. And the truth is, no words and no video will ever fully tell the story of what we saw with our own eyes. Adele said it perfectly: out here, it's beauty on top of beauty. The scene changes so often, and each one somehow tries to outdo the last. It's almost impossible to absorb it all. And somewhere in the back of our minds is that fear that we will forget the details, the colours, the feeling.

But lucky for her, she's travelling with someone trying to capture it all for YouTube. And even though I'm only showing you a small piece of our journey, Where Paths Begin, there is still so much footage waiting to be revealed. One thing I know for sure: even if my memory fades, this place won't. And I will certainly be back in Kaokoland.

Groendrom diary tradition

We are currently here by Groendrom, and we had the privilege to replace a diary book for Elise from Blinkgat Products. George from TransAfrica Tours took her previous book and delivered it to her in Delmas. So this is another book that you guys must come and fill in, and then write a message in. In about another six or seven years' time she'll come past, most probably pick it up, and contact each and every one of you. So leave your email address and she'll contact you.

Why doesn't it fit in here. This is the flipper of a seal. Okay, it is so cool. We picked up one like this at Sandwich Harbour. This was when they left the little caravan here. What year did they leave it here. I don't know. There is no more fridge at Rooidrom. No, the fridge is gone.

I only wrote down my signature. But if you see the, well okay, good, but they're not. You are writing all over my signature. What is that? X Overland, if you ever get to see this video, your brandy bottle is empty, hey. You need to come and replace it. Who is Onca Offroad, Daddy? 2008. Oh okay, go ahead, write down your email address. Where is the pen. Here it is.

Christmas Day at Groendrom

And while Adele is writing in her email address, it is the 25th of December 2025, Christmas Day at the Groendrom. Oh, awesome. Can it be 25th December 2025? We don't have a green Christmas tree, but we have a green drum.

This is what our bag looks like. This comes from Granny Koeks, the sweets from Noag's Market. Our shooter bottles, one Namibian dollar, and a nice stone that I picked up. Where do I put it. There, in the little caravan. And then one day when we come back, we can come and look again. Okay, so Elise, if you ever watch this video, it's your book, and it's going into the Blinkgat caravan. There it is, a new book to come write your stories in. Tell Elise about your journey, where you've been, what you've done, where you're going to from here.

Back on the road to Puros

We are on the way to Puros, but I don't think we're going to make it. I think we're going to wild camp again somewhere along the road, and then I'll catch up with you when we're there.

Refill stop? Refill stop. Okay. Yup. Yeah, I saw the one leaking a lot. Oh, I had it on the wrong way around. Somewhere it did not seal properly.

What is happening here? Here we are cooking. We are doing oysters with a cactus, with a little Rooibaard, tasty Tabasco. What we're doing: some pink salt and black pepper. No black pepper for Elsie. Late penalty. Oh okay, I'll do another one. No, that little bit won't matter. No man, she just told me not to put black pepper in hers.

Where sip happens. Embrace your throat. Okay. 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, this is getting warm. Cheers. Let it fall where it wants to. Never.

And on camera we have Aiden Hamilton. Okay. Uncle, it wasn't that fast. Or is it Aiden Schumacher. Yes, one of the two.

Finding the lone man of Kaokoland

So we found our first lone man of the Kaokoland. We've basically covered Kaokoland. There's a lot of places that we didn't drive, but yeah, we found our first lone man. I don't know how much more there is, and exactly where they are. We're honouring the mystery of finding them, so I won't share the location where this one is. But drop in the comments how many of the lone men have you guys found. Don't share where you found them. Let's keep the mystery alive.

Our first lone man of Kaokoland. So this is number 22. And I don't know what you would call it in English, but it looks like a disheartened man. I hope we find some more of them. If you know where it is, drop it, I know, down in the comments. Please don't disclose the location of this lone man. That we found, number ten. Let's see how much more we can find. And I would like to know the story about the lone men, who put them here and why. Anybody over here know? Drop it in the comments.

Arriving in Puros

The team rolled into Puros just before sunset. The timing couldn't be better. The last light dropped into the valley, turning the rocks warm and soft, while the Hoarusib River lay below like a highway of sand. And when you look at the drone footage, you can see why this place feels so special. The open river corridor cutting through a dry world, an ephemeral river that still brings life when it runs, as we see in the trees anchored in the riverbed, providing sun, shade, and comfort in this brutal landscape.

Puros is not just a campsite on the route. It sits in the conservancy, which was established in May 2000, covering a rough area of more than 3,500 square kilometres. As the sun disappears and the valley cools, it does not feel like another stop. It feels like one of Kaokoland's quiet strongholds, a hidden scenic gem that meets the river, mountain, and the sunset in one frame.

Driving into Puros Canyon

We are driving in the Puros Canyon. A lot of small streams to cross, and hoping to find some elephants. And as on my previous visit to this canyon, we saw plenty of elephants. So here's a couple of metres of the footage of the canyon. And then I will show you the famous Puros Gorge, where we usually stop to take pictures. Enjoy.

Puros Gorge photo stop

So here we are, entering the famous Puros Gorge. Photo time. Photo time. I hope we don't get stuck. Came to Puros Canyon for a drive, and we are at the famous Puros Gorge, where we usually stop and take photos of the vehicles inside the gorge. You can see it, and then the back of the footage is an awesome, awesome drive. Beautiful to be in Namibia. And the paparazzi is also here. That's what we call Adele.

Desert elephant encounter

We're in Puros Canyon, and we came across one of these giants. Very... is that a pistol in your pocket, or are you just happy to see me. Very, very relaxed. You know, this was a big bull elephant we got in Puros Canyon. Listen to how he's scratching himself. Very relaxing, watching an elephant just doing its daily thing. Oh well, it's getting late. We need to go make yesterday's Christmas potjie today. Start this train. Let's roll.

Christmas potjie at camp

So, Stefan, what are you preparing for us? Rogan Josh lamb potjie. Rogan Josh? Who's that? Hoarusib River Canyon potjie. Can you guys smell that coming together. Nice. Not. No, no, no, the people on YouTube. Improvised. What is it called, Rogan Josh? Because it's an Indian curry lamb potjie that I'm making tonight. Oh, why didn't you just say that?

So that's our Christmas potjie we're having on the 26th of December. Because yesterday we were driving and we arrived late at Puros. But we visited Puros Canyon today, and we're having our Christmas potjie today, that Stefan is preparing for us. I tried to give that elephant dignity today with the pictures.

Reflections from Puros

Some days you cover distance. Other days you collect memories. Just wind across the plains, a lone figure on the horizon, a camp that feels like home. Puros gave us space to breathe and to remember what matters.

Next time on Part 6

The next episode, we leave this calm behind and head into the unknown. I'll see you in Part Six.