Tobe completed when in internet range.
Tuesday, 29 April 2025
Central Etosha: Okaukuejo Region.
It was a long drove from the Erongo Mountains on 5th April. It took us nearly two hours to drive down from the plateau & into Omaruro. From there it was a drive of around 260 kms on quite a good tarred road. We arrived at our home for the next six nights: The Etosha Trading Post. It is around 6 kms from the Anderson Gate, which is the gateway to central Etosha National Park.
Our campsite
We had called in here on our last visit to Etosha & was impressed by the place: it has an excellent shop serving pies & toasties etc as well as fresh produce. The campsite itself is excellent, with a superb outdoor area with constant hot water, abundant shade & most importantly power. We quickly settled in & it was just as well as a big storm hit us, depositing tons of rain!
Green everywhere!
We were up & about quite early on 6th April, keen to visit Etosha once again. We entered the park just after dawn & saw large areas flooded from the recent rains. Everywhere was green! I certainly am not used to this! Normally we are driving through a very arid landscape, but not this visit!
The road to Okondeka.
Springbok
They were getting frisky, as it is the mating season.
We drove to Okaukuejo Camp & then took the road to Okondeka Waterhole, which skirts the edge of the pan. It was a slow drive, as there were tons of plains game: Springbok, Blue Wildebeest & Burchell's Zebra with the odd Gemsbok dotted around. I think that I have ever seen so many Springbok in one day in my life. It was most impressive! We returned to Okaukuejo via the Leeubron Waterhole. This drive took up most of the day as there was so much to see! We didn't see any Cat species, but it was a marvelous day with lots of great birds & herds of mammals.
Black-backed Jackal
The rest of the afternoon was spent around camp & we had a lovely evening, before turning in for the night.
On the 7th April we were up super early before dawn & into the park. This time we decided to go east from Okaukuejo, first along the edge of the pan & then down through the Mopane scrub to Gemsbokvlakte, Olifantsbad & Aus. There was a lot less game in this area, but we did manage a few good bird sightings.
Delana at Olifantsbad.
We enjoyed a nice late breakfast at Olifantsbad, which has newly renovated toilets & picnic areas: they have done a really good job. Let us hope the park authorities keep up with maintenance. Last time we were in this park all the picnic areas were run down, dirty & not fit for purpose.
It was quiet on the return, but we did come across a pair of Lion close to the road.
On 8th April we again went west to Okondeka, Adamax, Natco & back via Leeubron. We took it very slowly & enjoyed some great mammal & bird sightings.
Salvadora
Big skies & wide open spaces here!
This our guide got stuck in the mud!
We helped him out with the aid of our kinetic strap.
The next day we went west on the main road as far as the Salvadora & Sueda loop road. Sightings were not as prolific as in previous days but we had a good time & a nice long lunch break at the picnic site close to Honob waterhole.
On the 10th April we stayed in camp. Myself working on my photos & Delana trying to finish her work report on a project in Zambia. In the evening we went out for a nice meal.
The next day we were up early, as we had decided not to take the short cut thrtough the park because of the bad road conditions. So instead of driving 177 kms we opted for the long way around via the tarred road, which is 420 kms! We arrived at Onguma mid-afternoon.
To be completed when in internet range.
Friday, 4 April 2025
The Erongo Mountains
We left Spitskoppie mid-morning on 2nd April. The D roads were very badly corrugated & so we decided to drive a slightly longer route, via the tarred road. This proved to be a good decision & we arrived in Omaruru inn mid-afternoon for some supplies from the supermarket &a nice lunch at a local restaurant.
The road to the Erongo Mountains.
Only 38 kms to our destination the Erongo Mountain Plateau Camp. However, this proved to be a long drive, with the roads being very corrugated. The rest of the afternoon was spent setting up camp & we had a nice surprise waiting for us! Unbelievably Charlotte, Arnu's sister was camping here! So we had a nice evening chatting around the camp.
The view from our campsite: Part One.
Part Two: a very nice location.
The next morning on 3rd April it was a very gloomy outlook & we decided to stay around the camp to see what the weather would do. This proved to be a wise move as it rained hard for several hours. We couldn't do very much in this. The rain stopped in the afternoon & we were just getting ready to go out again when the heavens opened once more! It was probably a blessing in disguise as both Delana & I were suffering from a stomach bug & not feeling great.
Great Rufous Sparrow
Female
The only thing we saw of note in camp between the rain was a pair of Great Rufous Sparrows with a nest. This bird is a bit of an enigma for me, for despite having an extensive range in the arid west of southern Africa, it is quite localized & I usually manage to miss them! So very happy to get a pair at close range in camp.
Sunset after the rain.
Because of the poor weather, we decided to have an early night & went to bed to watch TV. One couldn't have said that a few years ago!
The habitat.
Monteiro's Hornbill
White-tailed Shrike
An Angolan & Namibian endemic.
Lesser Grey Shrike
This migrant is still here on its
wintering grounds.
Shows you what a late migrant it is
in Europe.
The next day we were up before dawn & drove down the plateau to an area of koppies next to the road. Our target were two localised species: Hartlaub's Spurfowl & Rockrunner. Unfortunately I had made a mistake with the booking of this campsite. From the name, I thought it would be among the rocks, but it isn't. In fact, there is no suitable habitat for our two targets nearby & we had to drive around 25 kms down the poor road to have any chance ar all of seeing them. However the weather was good & we arrived at a likely looking area. We played the tape for the Spurfowl for some time, before Delana spotted one sat on a boulder calling back at us. I had good views through the binoculars but went for my camera & when I returned it was gone, lost among the boulders. It was a new species for Delana so she was happy. We spent sometime searching, but to no avail. However, we did hear Rockrunner singing but couldn't get close enough because of a fence. The bird was on private property.
We drove back up to the camp on the very poor road, but the weather was great: bright sunshine! What a change from yesterday. We then enjoyed a couple of hours around camp before the rain returned yet again.
Black-backed Jackal
We saw Cape Mountain Zebra; Springbok & Black-backed Jackal in the area. However game was very scarce.
We planned to go out into the field again but the weather stopped us, so I started writing my blog & Delana did some work. After an enjoyable evening we turned in. The caravan is so great when the weather is poor. The next morning we packed up & left for Etosha. It had been a nice stay on an excellent campsite with panoramic views. However, the combination of us not feeling great & the very mixed weather spoilt our stay somewhat.
Tuesday, 1 April 2025
Ahmed & Clare become parents!
It is the 30th March & it is time! Clare was due to have her baby around 9th April, but because of its small size, the doctor organised a cesarean operation for 30th March. Clare & Ahmed decided to have the baby in England & what better place than at her sister's house in Ewell? (Not actually at the house but Clare would be based at the house). This was convenient, as Nicci has had two babies & would be on hand to give support where necessary. The hospital, clinic etc are also close by.
The waiting begins!
And here he is!
The operation went smoothly & out he pops! Ahmed was with Clare throughout the operation, gave her great support & all credit to him.
Crying or laughing?
The happy trio!
This baby boy was born on both the English Mother's Day & the first day of Eid. Lucky boy!
After a night in hospital Clare & baby were discharged the next day & went to Nicci's house to be picked up, cuddled & generally swooned over!
In the garden.
This little boy is to be named Saleh!
Knitting shop? Who is knitting?
Ahmed's Mum, Bridie arrived on 3rd April. She is staying for a month to generally help out, which is great. Everything going well both for Clare & baby Saleh.
To be completed when I have internet
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)