Today is our final day in Namibia. We’re headed to Umkulu Camp on the Orange River (also known as the Gariep River) for an afternoon of relaxation and optional canoeing.

It’s not a long ride, but we pull over to stretch our legs and take photos along this scenic stretch of road.

Our driver Juliana points out the build-up of sand on the very back of our overland truck — I think it was last washed in Nairobi 2.5 months earlier. If a geologist were to analyze the particles in that pile, they’d find layers from every country along the east coast of Africa, plus a few others.

We stop at a gas station and I pick up my new favorite snack — Nik Naks, which are just like Cheetos but made in South Africa. I’ve eaten entirely too many of these bags since discovering them a few weeks earlier.

While leaving this particular gas station, I randomly run into the driver from my 30-day trip from Nairobi to Joburg with Nomad Tours — he’s traveling on his own for a few days before starting his next tour the following week. The encounter is so random and unexpected that I tweet about it.

But those sorts of coincidences — running into people where I don’t expect to see them — happen weirdly often in my life. I have crazier instances in both Africa and the States where I turn a corner and bump into someone I know, and if the timing had been slightly off on either my side or the other person’s we wouldn’t have connected. Each time it happens it’s like the universe is telling me I’m right where I’m supposed to be.

We arrive at Umkulu Camp before lunch. It’s situated on the Orange River and we have the whole day to lounge around the beautiful grounds.

Some members of our group pay to be upgraded to a room (instead of tent camping) — there are lovely huts by the river.

Check out this gorgeous pool area — it’s the perfect spot for relaxing.

The Orange River marks the border between Namibia and South Africa — tomorrow morning we’ll cross the border and make our way down towards Cape Town.

Canoes and kayaks are available for a small fee; several people in our group take them for a spin.

I spend most of the afternoon hanging out in the on-site restaurant, sipping a latte and snacking on the bag of Nik Naks hidden inside my backpack. I’m the only person here; it’s delightfully quiet and the views are fabulous.

That night we enjoy another fantastic dinner whipped up by Juliana and Riaan — delicious fish marinated in yummy sauce and then grilled over an open fire, with many side dishes like veggies and mashed potatoes. And lots of wine, supplied by us.

After the meal people trickle off to bed. I stay out to get a few long exposure shots with my fish-eye lens. Here are two winners.

This is my last full post on Namibia — tomorrow I’ll have a wrap-up video of my time in this country. I’ve had a ball.

I visited Namibia on a 12-day tour from Windhoek to Cape Town with Acacia Africa. They discounted my tour in exchange for blogging and photography; opinions are my own.