Shopping in the early morning. Guys then spent about 4 hours preparing a bridge out of boats, pump pont and wooden landing pad! Getting prepared for tonight's tiger fishing. (Nothing seems to bite during the day). They've already said that we'll eat early so that they can start fishing as soon as it gets dark!
Helped Sonja prepare and post some of their photos on fb.
Lazy day.
Sonja and I have just had such a giggle. All the work the guys did on lining up a fishing platform (and the R100 Johan gave to 2 staff members to help arrange everything) has all gone down the drain. The boat owner arrived and has taken his boat, a critical part of their entire plan!
Fishing turned out pretty dead tonight, in any event.
R190
Saturday, May 11, 2013
Namibia, Katima Mulilo, 10/5/13
Long straight mostly boring, road. Did have sightings of elephant, martial eagle and batteleurs.
Disappointingly heard that Kalizo is closed due to Zambezi flooding. So, we're at good old faithful Namwi Island. Rather nice to have grassy stands and paved roads. Bird life at "The Owl Tree" is still good. Can't spot the owl but time will tell. Livingstone's Turaco still flirting with the shadows. Managed to get this shot of him drinking at a bird bath
Relaxed around the pit fire. Tiger jumping like mad in the river so Luis tried night tiger fishing ... with huge success.
Caught 3 all in excess of 4 kgs.
The 2nd one wrapped itself around the water pump. Luis tried every which way to get it clear. 30 minutes later, he succeeded to much congratulations from the gathered crowd of onlookers and helpers! It had its price though - war wounds from nasty thorn bushes.
Disappointingly heard that Kalizo is closed due to Zambezi flooding. So, we're at good old faithful Namwi Island. Rather nice to have grassy stands and paved roads. Bird life at "The Owl Tree" is still good. Can't spot the owl but time will tell. Livingstone's Turaco still flirting with the shadows. Managed to get this shot of him drinking at a bird bath
Relaxed around the pit fire. Tiger jumping like mad in the river so Luis tried night tiger fishing ... with huge success.
Caught 3 all in excess of 4 kgs.
The 2nd one wrapped itself around the water pump. Luis tried every which way to get it clear. 30 minutes later, he succeeded to much congratulations from the gathered crowd of onlookers and helpers! It had its price though - war wounds from nasty thorn bushes.
Friday, May 10, 2013
Namibia, Divundu, Ngepi 9/5/13
Confusion over Namibian vs SA time this morning. Our intention was to stop at an MTC shop in Rundu to buy more data. Ended up in town at 7 ... just a tad too early! Pleasant trip through to Divundu. Hardly any traffic and nice rural habitats lining the road.
Bought MTC airtime vouchers at Divundu. Needed about $250 worth. They only had $10 vouchers available, so ... 25 vouchers later and much digit entering (20 digits per voucher!) we are now "alive" again albeit with a very weak signal.
Couldn't get onto the river sites at Ngepi so we're away from the river for Luis' fishing purposes but have lovely shady quiet sites
Showers and toilets are wonderfully Ngepi style. Love them.
Went on a boat cruise late afternoon. Highlight: a very good sighting of the rarely seen White Backed Night Heron.
African Darter on her nest
Angry dagga boy flirting with the boat
Sunset over the Kavango
Last sighting under very poor lighting conditions, a large herd of elephant rushing down to the water
Back at camp and a lovely shower surrounded by bush and under the night sky. Supper at the lodge - kudu meatballs in very tasty sauce over mashed potato, cinnamon gem and fresh salad. Very enjoyable. Sat around the lodge campfire talking to other guests well into the night.
R190 per night, R200 each for boat cruise.
Bought MTC airtime vouchers at Divundu. Needed about $250 worth. They only had $10 vouchers available, so ... 25 vouchers later and much digit entering (20 digits per voucher!) we are now "alive" again albeit with a very weak signal.
Couldn't get onto the river sites at Ngepi so we're away from the river for Luis' fishing purposes but have lovely shady quiet sites
Showers and toilets are wonderfully Ngepi style. Love them.
Went on a boat cruise late afternoon. Highlight: a very good sighting of the rarely seen White Backed Night Heron.
African Darter on her nest
Angry dagga boy flirting with the boat
Sunset over the Kavango
Last sighting under very poor lighting conditions, a large herd of elephant rushing down to the water
Back at camp and a lovely shower surrounded by bush and under the night sky. Supper at the lodge - kudu meatballs in very tasty sauce over mashed potato, cinnamon gem and fresh salad. Very enjoyable. Sat around the lodge campfire talking to other guests well into the night.
R190 per night, R200 each for boat cruise.
Namibia, Rundu, Sarasunga 8/5/13
Lazed away the day. Luis fishing, me generally relaxing and taking some snaps of elusive, furtive birds!
Luis doing his "Benji "sharp"" impersonation.
Lovely sunset over Angola
Bush Baby came to visit us briefly
Early to bed.
R130 per night.
Luis doing his "Benji "sharp"" impersonation.
Lovely sunset over Angola
Bush Baby came to visit us briefly
Early to bed.
R130 per night.
Tuesday, May 7, 2013
Namibia, Rundu, Sarasunga 7/5/13
Hyena, jackal and 4 black rhino at the waterhole. A young rhino was cavorting around and annoying the adults.
Back at camp, all was peaceful. The plan to leave any edible rubbish on the ground for the badgers together with leaving the dustbin on its side, worked like a dream. We slept peacefully! Sonja had a lot of cracked eggs which we left out. Badger loved them.
Trip out of Etosha yielded the cubs in close proximity to where they were yesterday with a third one visible.
Who knows how many others are lurking in the long grass.
Etosha contrasts:
Wildebeest migration ...
Elephantom:
As we drew closer to Rundu the vegetation yielded larger, greener trees and grasses.
The Kavango region is well populated with dwellings and handicrafts lining the road for miles.
Rundu hectically busy with bustling people and plenty of hooting taxis.
Once at Sarasunga, lovely and peaceful. (As I type this, however, there is a very hungry sounding baby crying on the Angolan side!)
Our favourite maitre'd no longer works here. Alex finally got to start his own take away business which we believe is doing well. Good luck, mate.
Back at camp, all was peaceful. The plan to leave any edible rubbish on the ground for the badgers together with leaving the dustbin on its side, worked like a dream. We slept peacefully! Sonja had a lot of cracked eggs which we left out. Badger loved them.
Trip out of Etosha yielded the cubs in close proximity to where they were yesterday with a third one visible.
Who knows how many others are lurking in the long grass.
Etosha contrasts:
Wildebeest migration ...
Elephantom:
As we drew closer to Rundu the vegetation yielded larger, greener trees and grasses.
The Kavango region is well populated with dwellings and handicrafts lining the road for miles.
Rundu hectically busy with bustling people and plenty of hooting taxis.
Once at Sarasunga, lovely and peaceful. (As I type this, however, there is a very hungry sounding baby crying on the Angolan side!)
Our favourite maitre'd no longer works here. Alex finally got to start his own take away business which we believe is doing well. Good luck, mate.
Monday, May 6, 2013
Namibia, Etosha, Halali 6/5/13
Reunited with Johan & Sonja yesterday afternoon. Didn't go to the waterhole last night. All of us quite tired so had a couple of quiet drinks at camp. About 5 honey badgers roaming the campsite and creating havoc with dustbins. Very playful, suspect one of them is on heat.
Johan and I wandered around the camp to get these pics. We thought our dustbin was quite safe as it's hooked in a tree about a meter off the ground. (Said tree and dustbin very close to my bedroom window!) Later on, after we went to bed, the little beasties climbed the tree and jumped into the dustbin. Much banging and clanging later, as I was watching them out of the window, two went under the dustbin and levered it off the hook. Dustbin crashed down ... occupant badger went squealing off into the night! Remaining badgers rummaged, clanged and banged for at least an hour, crunching bones and hard plastic bottles to get to the hidden treasure inside!
Next thing there's an almost painful type squeaking/yelping and clicking. I thought one of them was injured but we are guessing that it was part of a mating ritual. They kept me up until about 2pm ... by then I was so hyped, I couldn't sleep. Up until gone 4! Those blasted little beasties aren't so cute anymore!!!!!
Out the gates at sunrise. Long drive with plenty of plains mammals, especially zebra. By sheer stroke of luck, we spotted a cheetah as she lifted her head. Had to wait quite a while for her to sit up and briefly pose
Followed 2 elephants for about a kilometer up the road! backside shots only!!!
On the way back to camp, once again, luck was with us and a lion briefly raised her head. A loooooooonnnnnng wait later, a female rose and strolled into deeper bush
Eventually 4 females and 1 male followed suit.
Two cubs stayed behind so we're guessing at least one more female stayed behind. They were well concealed. We initially thought there were only 2 lions lying in the grass.
Colourful lilac breasted roller posing
and ... flying into the photo frame, again!
Met Johan & Sonja back at camp and had a divine hamburger.
Johan and I wandered around the camp to get these pics. We thought our dustbin was quite safe as it's hooked in a tree about a meter off the ground. (Said tree and dustbin very close to my bedroom window!) Later on, after we went to bed, the little beasties climbed the tree and jumped into the dustbin. Much banging and clanging later, as I was watching them out of the window, two went under the dustbin and levered it off the hook. Dustbin crashed down ... occupant badger went squealing off into the night! Remaining badgers rummaged, clanged and banged for at least an hour, crunching bones and hard plastic bottles to get to the hidden treasure inside!
Next thing there's an almost painful type squeaking/yelping and clicking. I thought one of them was injured but we are guessing that it was part of a mating ritual. They kept me up until about 2pm ... by then I was so hyped, I couldn't sleep. Up until gone 4! Those blasted little beasties aren't so cute anymore!!!!!
Out the gates at sunrise. Long drive with plenty of plains mammals, especially zebra. By sheer stroke of luck, we spotted a cheetah as she lifted her head. Had to wait quite a while for her to sit up and briefly pose
Followed 2 elephants for about a kilometer up the road! backside shots only!!!
On the way back to camp, once again, luck was with us and a lion briefly raised her head. A loooooooonnnnnng wait later, a female rose and strolled into deeper bush
Eventually 4 females and 1 male followed suit.
Two cubs stayed behind so we're guessing at least one more female stayed behind. They were well concealed. We initially thought there were only 2 lions lying in the grass.
Colourful lilac breasted roller posing
and ... flying into the photo frame, again!
Met Johan & Sonja back at camp and had a divine hamburger.
Sunday, May 5, 2013
Namibia, Etosha, Halali 5/5/13
Rhino, giraffe and a giant eagle owl at Okaukoejoe's waterhole last night.
The aliens have landed:
Lions roaring in the distance throughout the night.
Luis early morning arty shot - view of sunrise from within The Rad
Encountered a lion pair near yesterday's sighting. Suspect it's the same breeding couple. Quite far away.
This goshawk wasn't at all frightened by us or our car. Right next to the road
Landing gear engaged:
Kori Bustard, largest flying bird, proving he will fly, in need.
Last but not least, let's get up close and personal with Kori's head
Arrived at Halali around one and now await Johan and Sonja's arrival.
The aliens have landed:
Lions roaring in the distance throughout the night.
Luis early morning arty shot - view of sunrise from within The Rad
Encountered a lion pair near yesterday's sighting. Suspect it's the same breeding couple. Quite far away.
This goshawk wasn't at all frightened by us or our car. Right next to the road
Landing gear engaged:
Kori Bustard, largest flying bird, proving he will fly, in need.
Last but not least, let's get up close and personal with Kori's head
Arrived at Halali around one and now await Johan and Sonja's arrival.
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