Namibia, Etosha, Okaukoejoe, 4/5/13

Pleasant evening at the waterhole starting off with a magnificent African sunset

A black rhino came to drink and ubiquitous jackal were scurrying around. Interestingly enough, the jackal successfully chased the elephant. One of them ran away trumpeting right towards us. Quite a rush.
During the night there were lion roaring ... magnificent sound. Seemed to be their mating call.
Up early and off on a 5 hour trip.
At Gemsbok vlakte there were huge herds of zebra, springbok and gemsbok.
This zebra needs dental treatment but at least he's "smiling".

This zebra won the Etosha Derby by a head

Near Olifantsbad waterhole was a pride of 5 lazy lions. The male stretched briefly and wandered off in search of cooler shade

At the waterhole we found a couple of Temminck's Coursers


Pretty little fella.
Gymnogene in flight (African Harrier Hawk)

Nice portrait of the black faced impala

At the pan about 6kms away from gate were many plains animals and a male lion.
This gemsbok was thoroughly enjoying a good scratch!

Further up, a lioness crossed the road. Probably last night's breeding pair.
Just a way further towards the pan, was a Gnu carcass surrounded by vultures, lappet faced, white backed and a juvie eagle of unknown origin. Possible tawny, possibly booted.
The jackal successfully defended the carcass against other scavengers. Judging by this steely glance he gave us, he was keeping us at bay as well.

Little juvenile black chested prinia flitting about in the tree on our campsite

Namibia, Etosha, Okaukoejoe 3/5/13

Rose in time to get out as gates opened. Drove out past the airport and back via Leeubron - about a 4 hour trip. The birdlife was excellent. Started off with little, ruffled feathered chaps trying to thaw.


This is the first time we have seen very young Gemsbok

I loved the glint and colours/detail in this kestrel's eyes (OK. ... Eye!!!)

Pied crow flying into the photo frame ... I'm quite good at that!!!

We did see distant hyena and jackal but no other predators. lovely column of soaring vultures.
Back at camp, very hot. Went to waterhole. Lighting bad - shooting into afternoon sun. Elephant, zebra, jackal, gemsbok, kori bustard and black faced impala.

Namibia, Etosha, Okaukoejoe 2/5/13

Left Walvis early. Helped on our way by sunrise over the dunes

Misty Mountain (Spitzkoppe)

Detoured via Erongo Conservancy (Usakos to Omaruru)


Saw jackal, peregrine and plenty (rare!) white tailed shrike but no decent photo opportunities. The shrike only occurs in this neck of the woods.
Helped a chameleon cross the road. I crouched down to take the shot and fell over. In order to save the camera I took the brunt of the fall on my elbow. No lasting damage!

Autumnal Mopane just outside Omaruru

Proceeded to Anderson's gate via Outjo as opposed to our original plan of going in at Namutoni. Switched accommodation for the night.
(R420 plus R130 conservation fees)
Not much activity at the waterhole. A few giraffe, jackal, and black rhino cow with her calf but all on the dark, distant side. Jackal marauding through the camp throughout the night.

Namibia Walvis Bay 1/5/13

Pleasant evening. Ate out the Two Ocean Restaurant. Prawns and calamari. Mmmm, nice! No trucks starting up this morning .... That's a very pleasant first for this place.



Excellent harbour cruise this morning. Ocean Tours on board the Mahindra, R500 per person and worth every cent. I am told that the oysters were delicious ... I still can't swallow!!!!






A rather drab looking juvenile. Has a hook and line caught in it's beak but have it on good authority that he will prevail.



Flamingoes in flight are all beak and neck ... Strange looking








Two boats (ours and another) teamed up to create the oscillation so beloved by dolphins. Apparently, they will continue forever and get too tired to even eat, so the tour operators only do this for a short period of time.




Seal colony. Seems quite weird to be on "this" side of a breaking wave.









The lighthouse is painted black and white as the traditional red and white did not stand out clearly against the reddish tinge of the sand dunes. It is still active but now fully automated.



The old control tower, discontinued only in the early '90's, is now used as a hotel.
Equally interesting is the fact that the peninsula grows each year due to sand deposit. It is currently 3kms longer than when the lighthouse was built in the early 1900's.
See the Russia emblem on the smoke stack of this vessel. It is a joint venture
Between Russia and Namibia. The Russians get to operate within Namibian waters with a fishing quota. The vessel in turn must employ 60% Namibian nationals.



The others went to Dune 7 this afternoon. Photos do not do justice to the size.
Off to Etosha via Erongo Conservancy tomorrow. Derkies will stay on and meet up with us in Etosha later.

Namibia Walvis Bay, Lagoon Chalets 30/4 and 1/5/13

Lovely trip here with scenery changing from flat Lowveld type vegetation to hilly, scenic Windhoek area to Namib Desert.

Had a lovely sighting of a caracul crossing the road and posing on the verge. Bad accident scene just outside Windhoek. Cattle carrier lost the plot. Driver dead plus many cows.

Long and (not) winding road

Long distance view of the harbour.

Arrived in Walvis Bay with sunny weather for a change and ... Bonus ... Flamingo on the lagoon.

Booked tomorrow's harbour cruise. Should be good. (R500 per person).

Botswana/Namibia Gobabis, Die Dam 29/4/13

Woke around 6ish and had a leisurely morning. Breakfast at the lodge - back on the road at 10. Every 30 or so kms, the vegetation changes. Still predominantly thorn bushes/trees but different varieties, colour, sizes. Little scrubby bushes come and go. Usual livestock ie donkeys, cows, sheep goats and shoats interspersed with steenies, piggies and ostrich. Lots of raptors including martial, goshawk, kestrel, batteleurs and a huge colony of white backed vultures.
Border crossing was easy enough. We haven't been searched once yet. Typical ... Just when we decide to not bring meat!
Namibia turns back clocks one hour now so today is going to be a long day.
Die Dam is still noisy (traffic) but we made our own noise and, yet again, set the world right.
Sunset at Die Dam

R150 per night.

Botswana/Namibia Kang, Kalahari Rest. 28/4/13

On the road at 4am! Long uneventful journey. Very pleasant place with tranquil, natural surroundings.

One of our Kang companions:

Couple of drinks then up to restaurant for supper - our treat to celebrate Johan & Sonja's birthday.

Lovely oxtail and fresh veggies. (En 'n paar drankies!)
In bed by 9!
P160 per night