The edge of the pan, close to Namutoni Camp.
Delana's farm is very close to the south eastern boundary of Etosha National Park, & so on 23rd October we went for a brief stay. This was my second trip this year to this fabulous reserve. We entered through the Namutoni Gate in heavy drizzle & dark gloomy skies. It was also quite cold! Very different from when I was last here with Tom.
This part of the park is very open,
close to the edge of the pan.
It is an empty land here!
This male Lion was keeping guard
over this Giraffe kill.
Female Steenbok
Black backed Jackal
Up to five Jackals were around this waterhole.
White backed Vulture
There was a scrap of what looked like a dead Jackal,
which was enough for all the scavengers.
This individual had been rooting around in the mud!
This Jackal was very unusual in showing
hardly any markings.
Black faced Impala
Sociable Weaver's nest.
Tawny Eagle
A wet Red necked Falcon
This is a scarce species, but Etosha is a
great place to see them.
Pale Chanting Goshawk
Ostrich
Damara Red billed Hornbill
Marico Flycatcher
There are a few freshwater waterholes
dotting the landscape.
Gemsbok are a feature here.
This herd of Gemsbok were on full alert!
They had spotted a male Lion!
They stood their ground, but he just ignored them.
The Zebras panicked though!
The de-horning of rhinos makes them
look very peculiar!
I think this is a Black Rhino as it is browsing.
A busy waterhole.
Springbok
Very common here.
Giraffe
A mixed herd of Zebra & Blue Wildebeest
Blue Wilderbeest
Burchell's Zebras.
Photo courtesy of Delana Louw
Splattered in grey pan dust.
Fights do break out between males.
Can be quite viscous, but often short lived.
Where there is prey, there are predators!
This male Leopard was far from any cover.
We positioned the car & waited!
It started to get closer!
And closer!
Amazing views!
These wide open plains are home to a couple
of Bustard species: this is Kori Bustard.
This male is inflating his neck to start to call.
Male Northern Black Korhaan
This individual was displaying to a nearby female.
Female
She didn't seem to be too impressed by his efforts!
Secretarybird
Quite common in this habitat.
Greater Kestrel
Adult Temminck's Courser
Immature.
Sabota Lark
Rufous winged Lark
Red capped Lark
Great Sparrow
The landscape looks to be empty, but....
This male Lion had eaten during the night
& was looking for somewhere to sleep!
He pawed a tuft of grass out of the way
Where there is a male...
Halali waterhole late morning.
Burchell's Zebra
Kudu with Helmeted Guineafowl
Monteiro's Hornbill in camp.
The entrance to this 34,000 hectare reserve.
The lodge is situated around a waterhole.
Restaurant.
The best thing is when you are camping like we were,
you can use the lodge facilities!
Our excellent camp site.
Each camp site has its own shower & toilet!
No sharing here!
We found a waterhole mid morning where
Sandgrouse were coming to drink.
These were Burchell's Sandgrouse.
Namaqua Sandgrouse
Kudu
great place to see them.
dotting the landscape.
They stood their ground, but he just ignored them.
look very peculiar!
I think this is a Black Rhino as it is browsing.
of Bustard species: this is Kori Bustard.
& was looking for somewhere to sleep!
And flopped down to be invisible!
A nice campsite, with good facilities.
Photo courtesy of Delana Louw
Black Rhino
That night we camped at Halali Rest Camp, which is a very pleasant place to stay. The highlight is of course the floodlit waterhole, which seems to turn up Black Rhinos with great regularity.
Cheers from Etosha!
The next morning we were up early, & did a route which took us close to the immense Etosha Pan.
There are a few freshwater waterholes as well.
Cape Teal
South African Shelduck
A mixed herd in the heat haze & dust.
Red Hartebeest
Springbok
Banded Mongoose in the shade!
Always on the lookout for
potential predators.
Northern Black Korhaan
you can use the lodge facilities!
No sharing here!
We then returned to Halali Camp to pack up the tent & we drove to Ongamu, just outside the border of the national park. This turn out to be a very pleasant spot indeed & we will definitely go back there instead of camping at Namutoni.
We had a quick game drive around Fischer's Pan
in the early morning.
It is very open country around here.
Giraffe were in evidence.
A few Gemsbok were in the mud
at the edge of the pan.
Tricky running in mud!
Delana made us a lovely picnic breakfast.
Then we discovered Lion spoor
close to the car!
This was a solitary Lion walking.
But look how far apart its front & back legs are!
Sandgrouse were coming to drink.
These were Burchell's Sandgrouse.
Then it was time to drive back to the bush-camp for another few days. We had enjoyed a fantastic time in Etosha, a pity it was so brief. But there is always the next time!
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