Halali

Our camp at Hilali. 

The busy waterhole close to the camp.

We spent the afternoon here &
 game viewing was good.

Black faced Impala.

Red Hartebeest

Kudu

Plains Zebra

Tree Squirrel on rocks at the hide.

 We drove to Hilali but could hardly see the road, never mind birds or game. In the afternoon the weather improved a little & we made camp in our favourite spot close to the bush & away from other tourists. That night Connie & Artu joined us & we had a great evening cooking/drinking around the campfire. It was a late night!

Dry! Dry! Dry!

Ostrich

The dust storm had finally passed, 

but conditions were not pleasant.

Spike heeled Lark

Both of us were sluggish on the morning of the 8^th September. The wind was still gusting at times so I spent some time securing the gazebo with some extra fastenings. 

Elephant at dusk.

We then visited the camp waterhole which was delightful with common game being present & said our goodbyes to Connie & Artu who returned home to Tsumeb.

There were three, but only two in this photo.

Notice the blood around the head, 

they had fed in the night.

Yawning!

They kept a wary on the the passing Elephants.

In the afternoon we drove to Goas Waterhole via the Helio Hills. Three Lions were present, as well as two family herds of Elephant. 

Went for a sundowner drink at the waterhole, very quiet apart from a small family herd of Elephants.

There were six Lions mainly asleep 

on the open grassland.

A herd of Zebra were close by.

They kept a wary eye on the Lions

 but Lions not interested!

Black backed Jackal

Sabota Lark

Great Sparrow

9^th September saw us driving west towards the Salvadora, Sueda & Charitsaub waterholes. We saw six Lions in the open grassland. 

Etosha must be the best place in Africa

 to see this species.

On the way back to camp we had a Black Rhino.

Puff Adder

  It was a very pleasant morning, but both of us were not feeling too well. So we spent the rest of the day in camp finding a baby Puff Adder under our charcoal bag! We caught & relocated it back into the bush. Too close for comfort that one!

Pearl spotted Owlet in camp.

Monteiro's Hornbill

Damara Red billed Hornbill

Immature Violet Woodhoopoe.

Cape Glossy Starling

Female Violet eared Waxbill  next to the vehicle.

The view from Etosha Lookout. pretty barren!

One feels very small out here!

Female Northern Black Korhaan.

Rufous naped Lark

Both of us were still not feeling too well on 10^th September. We drove out to Etosha Lookout across to Sprinbokfontein & Batia. The latter was crowded with about 800+ common plains game which made an amazing sight. We returned to camp still not feeling great & had a quiet time.

Best birds:

Ostrich; Cap Teal; Martial Eagle; Tawny Eagle; Brown Snake Eagle; Greater Kestrel; Pale Chanting Goshawk; Kori Bustard; Northern Black Korhaan; Double banded Courser; Double banded Sandgrouse; Namaqua Sandgrouse; Pearl Spotted Owlet; African Scops Owl; Monteiro's Hornbill; Damara Red billed Hornbill; Southern Yellow billed Hornbill; African Grey Hornbill; Violet Wood-hoopoe; Spike heeled Lark; Rufous naped Lark; Sabota Lark; Grey backed Sparrow-lark; Chestnut backed Sparrow-lark; Chat Flycatcher; Red headed Finch; Great Sparrow; Lark-like Bunting.

Mammals:

Elephant; Giraffe; Black Rhinoceros; White Rhinoceros; Lion; Black backed Jackal; Plains Zebra; Blue Wildebeest; Red Hartebeest; Springbok; Black faced Impala; Kudu,