Thursday 18 October 2018

TauroDoqua: Namibia

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.


This is big sky country out here!

When you arrive at the property, it is still 
a long way to the bushcamp.


Eland are quite common on the property
 although shy & difficult to observe.


c.30 Springbok are present.




Male Steenbok




Female
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 bushcamp is open to the elements
 in the main living area.

The all important bar!


From the outdoor space, looking in.


The joy of an open air bathroom!


Until it starts to rain of course!
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.



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.


We placed a camera next to he waterhole, & these were the results of only four nights. Outstanding!

View from the tower.


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

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.


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!



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!




The last sunset.


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.