Etosha: Okaukuejo

It was hot!
 

We arrived at camp late afternoon on 30th October. We settled in to our chalet which was close to the waterhole. It was baking hot & we sat looking at animals coming to drink. 

First, two large herds of Elephants came, then four Lions came out to feed on the remains of a Wildebeest carcass. 

After dinner we came to the waterhole again. Lions still about & indeed the male roared intermittently through the night. 

The next morning we did a bit of birding around camp seeing the Lions again close to the waterhole. After breakfast we drove to Okondeka waterhole. The plains were a sea of gold & plains game were plentiful. 

We spent most of the afternoon indoors, before visiting the waterhole again late afternoon.

We left camp early morning on 1st November & took the very scenic road to the very edge of Etosha Pan. This proved to be an inspired choice as well as lovely vistas we saw an out of range Dark Chanting Goshawk. A nice Red-necked Falcon sat in a dead tree & great views of a Spotted Hyena. 

Back on the main road we saw three Lionesses with at least four cubs sheltering from the heat in & by the side of a road culvert. 

We then drove to Gemsbokvlakte waterhole & saw four Burchell's Coursers & a Pink billed Lark.

The 2nd November was Delana's birthday! But before any celebration we had a long drive ahead of us to get to Onkoshi Camp. We drove the 183 kms slowly birding along the way. Animal highlight were seven Lionesses sleeping under a tree. Generally it was quite quiet in the heat but we enjoyed a couple of nice breaks along the way arriving at our destination around 4.30 pm.

Etosha: Halali

 We left Tsenub on 27th October & drove slowly to Halali Camp in central Etosha National Park. 

Kudu

White backed & Lappet faced Vultures.

Tawny Eagle

Red capped Lark

Birds were utilizing all places of shade.

Kori Bustard

Our first stop was at Klein Namutoni. A bush fire had recently gone through this area & birding was generally poor.

A typical Etosha scene.

Tawny Eagle

Male Namaqua Sandgrouse.

Female.

Double banded Courser

Tawny Eagle.

Sabota Lark

These hornbills are interesting: could be hybrids.

Black chested Prinia

Our very nice accommodation tucked away

 at the base of the hills.

The balcony.

Arriving at Halali mid afternoon it was very hot & we settled in to our new accommodation which was very nice, tucked away in woodland close to a koppie. 

Black faced Impala.

Marabou Stork

It was amazing how much water this bird drank!

African Hawk Eagle

Spent the late afternoon at the waterhole, which was very pleasant.

Monteiro's Hornbill

Rufous crowned  (Purple) Roller

Violet Wood-hoopoe

Immature bird.

European Golden Oriole

Recently arrived migrants.

White-crowned Shrike

Groundscraper Thrush

The 28th October morning was spent birding around the camp, which was quite good.

The waterhole at dusk.

We spent the evening at the camp waterhole & it turned out to be a superb spectacle.

Goas

Black backed Jackal

Namaqua Dove

Rufous chested Swallow

Sabota Lark

On 29th October we visited Goas & Reitfontein in the morning.

Shaft tailed Whydah

Golden breasted Bunting

In the afternoon it was back at the camp waterhole.

White headed Vulture

This species is getting increasingly rare these days.

It was time to leave on 30th October & we drove slowly eastward along the C38 road. The first highlight was a wonderful White-headed Vulture circling the road. 

Double banded Courser

Secretarybird

Rietfontein waterhole was as busy as ever, without seeing anything outstanding there. 

Kori Bustard enjoying the shade.

Blue Wildebeest

Plains Zebra

It was hot & many animals drinking.

Salvadora waterhole

Zitting Cisticola

Desert Cisticola

Common in these dry grasslands.

Secretarybird

We then meandered around the Salvadora area & struck gold at Charitsaub with two Lionesses being present. 

Further on we found a pair of Spotted Eagle Owls nesting on top of a Sociable Weaver colony/nest. 

We arrived in camp late afternoon & settled in to our waterhole accommodation.