November 11&12
Etosha Pan, National Park, Namibia
Our day begins at Sunrise 6:15, as the gate opens and we are allowed out of our secured camping area within one of Africa’s largest game parks. Perhaps we are the ones in this zoo wandering from water hole to water hole to see who or what might show up desperate for the little water remaining. The rains are overdue and the days are long and hot. The pool at each campsite has been a mid day blessing as we chase the shade around the deck, dunking every so often, reading and drinking cold drinks No Americans camping, mostly Europeans.
A large family of elephants with 2 babies and a teen in tow made their way across the road about the time Dan accidently hit the horn and the jeep alarm sounded. A guide driving a safari truck gave us a lecture, but it didn’t compare with the head swaying and glare from Papa Elephant as he brought up the rear of the herd. It was a great day for lions and a cheetah with 2 young cubs, we felt so lucky to spot them when no one else was around. Loads of giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, impala and a pair of blue cranes. It’s addictive and mesmerizing to watch them interact, and oddly voyeuristic.
A young bull elephant chased two lone, bachelor elephants from the water hold tonight. Sunset was fantastic and gave an immediate respite from the heat. The thorn bushes appeared to be frosted in violet against a peach border of sun setting higher and then higher up in the sky every shade of blue from the brightest royal to deep gray with swirls of white cloud formations.
This morning I awoke to a sky filled with clouds that had gold linings a good sign perhaps as we leave Etosha today by the north east gate near Andoni and head for Opuwo. From there it’s on to Eupapa Falls north along the Kuene river.
Photos: Holly Hunter
Etosha Pan, National Park, Namibia
Our day begins at Sunrise 6:15, as the gate opens and we are allowed out of our secured camping area within one of Africa’s largest game parks. Perhaps we are the ones in this zoo wandering from water hole to water hole to see who or what might show up desperate for the little water remaining. The rains are overdue and the days are long and hot. The pool at each campsite has been a mid day blessing as we chase the shade around the deck, dunking every so often, reading and drinking cold drinks No Americans camping, mostly Europeans.
A large family of elephants with 2 babies and a teen in tow made their way across the road about the time Dan accidently hit the horn and the jeep alarm sounded. A guide driving a safari truck gave us a lecture, but it didn’t compare with the head swaying and glare from Papa Elephant as he brought up the rear of the herd. It was a great day for lions and a cheetah with 2 young cubs, we felt so lucky to spot them when no one else was around. Loads of giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, impala and a pair of blue cranes. It’s addictive and mesmerizing to watch them interact, and oddly voyeuristic.
A young bull elephant chased two lone, bachelor elephants from the water hold tonight. Sunset was fantastic and gave an immediate respite from the heat. The thorn bushes appeared to be frosted in violet against a peach border of sun setting higher and then higher up in the sky every shade of blue from the brightest royal to deep gray with swirls of white cloud formations.
This morning I awoke to a sky filled with clouds that had gold linings a good sign perhaps as we leave Etosha today by the north east gate near Andoni and head for Opuwo. From there it’s on to Eupapa Falls north along the Kuene river.
Photos: Holly Hunter
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