Ghaub Campground, Namibia
Ghaub Campground, in Grootfontain, was a quick stop as we made our way east to the Caprivi Strip. This picturesque campsite overlooked a stunning mountain range and valley. The multi-level site featured a grassy area below, perfect for parking campers or setting up tents, and an upper level with a covered patio, a large cement table seating up to twelve, a fire pit, and an outdoor washing sink. At the back of the building, you’ll find two bathrooms equipped with showers. Hot water came from a fire source. Power was available on-site, and Wi-Fi was accessible at reception, a 5-10 minute walk from the campsite.
We were delighted by Ghaub campground, on arrival. We sat down under the covered patio, enjoying our dinner and the sunset over the lush valley, but little did we know we were in for a long night!
We later dubbed this campground the “Baboon Site.”
It started. What began as a faint noise quickly turned into loud, unmistakable grunting. A family of baboons perched high above us on the top of the mountains began inching their way toward the campground. We couldn’t see how close they were as it grew darker, but the shrieks and howls intensified, frightening the boys.
While they were likely harmless and simply searching for food, the loud, aggressive noises made it uncomfortable to stay outside. We decided to retreat to bed early, hoping the baboons would quiet down. Unfortunately, the grunting and howling continued relentlessly throughout the night. The sounds grew more aggressive, like family members were fighting. The baboons came so close to our camp that Derek set the car alarm off to scare them away. To our surprise, the alarm didn’t faze them at all. They continued their noisy antics until dawn.
The following day, it was as if nothing had happened. The campsite was calm and serene, with no sign of the baboons—just a peaceful morning after a chaotic night.
Ready to Start Planning Your Safari Adventure?
Check out these related posts to help plan your trip:
- 51-Day Africa Safari – Part 1: South Africa & Namibia’s Coast
- 51-Day Africa Safari – Part 2: Namibia’s Etosha & Caprivi Strip
- 51-Day Africa Safari – Part 3: Victoria Falls & Botswana
- Our Best and Worst Day on Safari
- Camping Safari in Africa: Know Before You Go
- Camping Across Southern Africa: A Rundown of our Safari Campsites
- Navigating Border Crossings in Southern Africa
- Safari with Kids: Tips from the Road
- Etosha NP with Kids: A Family Safari to Remember
- Exploring the Caprivi Strip with Kids
- Okonjima Family Safari: Where the Wild Things Wait
- The Smoke that Thunders: A Trip to Victoria Falls
- Into the Wild: Chobe NP with Kids
- Sunset Cruise on the Chobe River: A Photo Journey
- Living Giants: A Photo Journey Through Nxai Pan National Park
