Delana & I flew up to Windhoek in Namibia on 20th October. A nice surprise was that our rental car had been upgraded to a Toyota Rav, which gave us a bit more room. We drove the short distance north of the city (more like a town) to a local guesthouse, where we stayed the night. The next morning we were up early & heading north for Delana's farm, TauroDoqua.
Eland are quite common on the property
although shy & difficult to observe.
c.30 Springbok are present.
Male Steenbok
Female
This is big sky country out here!
When you arrive at the property, it is still
a long way to the bushcamp.
although shy & difficult to observe.
The entrance to the bushcamp.
Delana bought this old cattle ranch with two friends a few years ago. It is an area of thick bush approximately 10 kms long by 3 kms wide, a little over 2,000 hectares. Now this property is not like any farm I am used to. certainly not like any farm in England. It is remote, very close to the south east border of Etosha National Park. And there is nobody around! You have the place all to yourselves!
The joy of an open air bathroom!
Until it starts to rain of course!
Photo courtesy of Delana Louw.
Getting the firewood in, with a little help
from my friends!
Looks like an old Aardvark hole.
Red billed Francolin are common & sure to
wake you up just before dawn!
Crested Francolin
Cape Turtle Dove
Emerald Spotted Wood Dove
Laughing Dove
Male Namaqua Dove
Yellow billed Hornbill
African Grey Hornbill
Damara Red billed Hornbill
Fork tailed Drongo
Red eyed Bulbul, abundant here.
Groundscraper Thrush, singing most mornings
around the bushcamp.
Greater blue eared Glossy Starling
"Bleating" Warbler
White browed Sparrow-Weaver
Southern Grey headed Sparrow
Southern Masked Weaver
Melba Finch
Violet eared Waxbill
Scaly feathered Finch
Golden breasted Bunting
Common Duiker
Slender Mongoose
Dik-Dik
It is amazing that it comes down to drink in the
day time & we didn't see it!
Common Duiker
Kudu
Kudu also coming to drink in the day.
A herd of six here.
Small spotted Genet
Caracal
Cheers from northern Namibia!
We are up in the tower!
The end of another lovely day.
The roof of the bush camp,
which makes a good vantage point.
Delana on her roof, looking at droppings,
which could be Small spotted Genet.
Martial Eagle
Pale Chanting Goshawk
Immature.
Black shouldered Kite
Female Red crested Korhaan
Helmeted Guineafowl
Crowned Plover
European Bee-eater
Sabota Lark
Male Double banded Sandgrouse
Female
The chick: the camouflage is amazing!
Photo courtesy of Delana Louw.
Common Duiker
Slender Mongoose
Black backed Jackal
Aardvark!
I have only seen one Aardvark
& that was in 1986!
Honey Badger
Caracal
Scrub Hare
Getting the cocktails ready for the guests!
The last sunset.
The bushcamp is open to the elements
in the main living area.
The all important bar!
From the outdoor space, looking in.
Photo courtesy of Delana Louw.
Everywhere may be opened up,
so you are one with nature.
Slender Mongoose is a regular visitor
to the braii area.
from my friends!
wake you up just before dawn!
around the bushcamp.
day time & we didn't see it!
We are up in the tower!
We placed a camera next to he waterhole, & these were the results of only four nights. Outstanding!
View from the tower.
which makes a good vantage point.
which could be Small spotted Genet.
De Post waterhole
We fixed a camera here & had amazing results
very quickly!
Gemsbok
Photo courtesy of Delana Louw
Warthog, were regular visitors to the waterhole.
Banded Mongoose
African Hawk Eagle
A regular drinker here.
Photo courtesy of Delana Louw
Photo courtesy of Delana Louw.
& that was in 1986!
Just before we left the bushcamp, Delana hosted a party for her friends from the surrounding area. We all had a great time & I learnt a lot about tractors!
All too soon it was time to pack up & leave. Definitely a lot more to explore & do here. We only covered a small area of the farm.
