The BIG ADVENTURE

As part of my Jubilee celebrations towards the big Five Oh I decided on a solo trip of a lifetime, exploring Botswana, then on to see the Victoria Falls, heading south through Namibia, back to South Africa. The budget was less than shoestring and inexpensive Baked Beans appeared on my menu.

The older posts are about my preparations and the newer ones are from my adventure to date.

“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go.”
Dr Seuss


Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Etosha (3)

Namutoni is a the 'capital' of Etosha and not only is there shade in the campground, but grass too!  Don't get me wrong - it's not lush and foresty.  It's still hot and dry and they have to water the grass A LOT.  Black backed jackals run around the camp at night, scavenging for scraps, but they aren't as feisty or noisy as the honeybadgers from Halali.

Once again things have been quiet in camp and with fellow campers and my days have been spent driving around enjoying sights and taking it all in.  I have to confess to deciding to "nip out for a short game drive" before getting ready for the day -- and I stayed out and in my PJ's until after lunchtime. I loved it.

So here are more pics from around Namutoni area

I fell in love instantly.
I'd not seen a Damara Dik-dik before.  It's the smallest antelope in Etosha, a mere 38cm at shoulder height.  It has a flexible nose.  So cute!

Not ants.  Wildebeest making their way across the edge of the Pan to a waterhole

Always lovely to see zebra foals

Flying Bananas (aka Yellowbilled Hornbills)


Lions doing what they do best.  Notice the Katoo Express with trailer in the background
Must be colleagues of the Zambezi Express I mentioned previously


Altogether - spread legs, necks down, drink


And then the wind came up bringing the dust

Ellies do get quite close



Two elephant bulls having a drink and a chat at a waterhole


Dust blowing on the Pan in the distance

At first I thought this giraffe was choking on its tongue and as I watched (thinking how would one try to help a choking giraffe . . ), I realised it was sucking and chewing on a bone for calcium.
This is called osteophagy



Youngsters having fun at bathtime

Shade is found 'inside' the tree


Sunset on my last day in Etosha

Etosha is absolutley awesome gamewise.  The facilities are shabby and people drive way too fast, even though the speed limit is a very generous 60km/h.  You can't see much at that speed!  I followed a speeding NWR (Namibia Wildlife Resorts) vehicle in the Park. My speedometer hit 90km/h and I could not keep up. If their own staff can't stick to the rules and set examples . . . .Very sad

Till next time . . .

4 comments:

Angela said...

I always love your wildlife pictures, and the descriptions, Janet. You have a way of drawing our attention to details. I am glad I can just watch from here, without the dust, though. Thanks a lot!!

Val said...

HAVENT BEEN TO ETOSHA IN YEARS (sorry caps) lovely to revisit via your tales; lovely pics - particularly the two elephant trunks x

Lori ann said...

Great photos Janet, I love your descriptions also.

The dik-dik is so cute, saw one standing outside our room one time in S.A. but i don't know which kind. I love how small they are.

This series was a great introduction to Etosha, Thanks so much for sharing!

Phivos Nicolaides said...

Wonderful landscape, great pictures!