Central Namibia - Three weeks of hell (not)!

Please share information about trips you have done
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Peter Connan
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Re: Central Namibia - Three weeks of hell (not)!

Post by Peter Connan »

Dankie julle. Jules, nie veel kampfotos in Etosha nie, maar wel op 'n paar ander plekke.
Mag ons ons kenniskry met lekkerkry aanhoukry.
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Peter Connan
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Re: Central Namibia - Three weeks of hell (not)!

Post by Peter Connan »

13 April:

Sonja accompanied me on the morning drive. We headed a bit further South this time, towards Olifantsbad. Along the way we saw:

First, another Gymnogene, this time being badgered by a couple of Drongos.
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A Kori Bustard (one of the two heaviest flying birds in the world)
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Next, a minor jackpot: two young lions.
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My first-ever black-faced Impala
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And lastly, a view over the pan itself.
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Back in camp, a Communal Weaver. Check out the eyebrows:
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Peter Connan
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Re: Central Namibia - Three weeks of hell (not)!

Post by Peter Connan »

Afternoon drive:

Up the Western side of the pan this time. At Wolfsnes, an ant-eating chat complaining about the rain.
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Okondeka:
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Then straight West
Northern Black Korhaan
Northern Black Korhaan
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And then south to Natco.
Zebra
Zebra
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Springbokram
Springbokram
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Jakkals
Jakkals
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As always, the best light happens just as the sun rises and sets, which means that everybody who is interested in photography stays out as late as possible, and then it becomes a race against the clock to get back before the gate closes...
Sunset Race
Sunset Race
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Russ Kellermann
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Re: Central Namibia - Three weeks of hell (not)!

Post by Russ Kellermann »

I agree with Tinus... "Plak dude"... I'm loving this play-by-play account of the holiday Pete... fantastic, funny,... and as usual, your imagery is nothing short of top shelf. :thumbup:

Ps: kak to hear of the trailer incident but look how quick you okes made a plan and didnt let anything ruin the time away, ..thats lekker man.
'07 Patrol Pickup TD42 N/A,285's KM2,3" Lift,ONCA Bars,Warn High Mount,Alu Canopy, and some other Stuff.
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Peter Connan
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Re: Central Namibia - Three weeks of hell (not)!

Post by Peter Connan »

Thanks Russ.

14 April.
This morning, I asked Gerrit to drive in convoy. The road to Wolfsnes was partially flooded (this is supposed to be desert, remember).

But first, the obligatory Jackal
The obligatory early-morning Jackal
The obligatory early-morning Jackal
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Gerrit's car:
White Patrol, white mud.
White Patrol, white mud.
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My car:
Whiter than normal
Whiter than normal
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We then turned back and headed for Leeubron, and from there north to Natco.
Aasvoel
Aasvoel
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We came across a few cars standing around...
Wydkyk
Wydkyk
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But the feast was far away and long ago.
Gisteraand se leftovers.
Gisteraand se leftovers.
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At Natco, there were Zebra. Despite the rain, Etosha is a dusty place!
Laat die stof so staan
Laat die stof so staan
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We then turned back, and headed for Sprokieswoud. I didn't take many pictures, but what happened next was a minor miracle. From Natco to just short of Sprokieswoud, a distance of around 15km, I don't think we could pick a spot from which a Zebra was not visible. All were walking towards the pan, a sort on mini-migration. We must have seen a couple of thousand Zebra in the next few hours.
Langnekbok.
Langnekbok.
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Rooinek
Rooinek
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I understand Sprokieswoud was once quite impressive, but only a few trees are left, and apparently they aren't really sure why.
Sprokieswoud
Sprokieswoud
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We then found a somewhat damaged lioness, looking very sorry for herself.
Bietjie stukkend
Bietjie stukkend
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By now, it was past time to head back.
Baie strepe
Baie strepe
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And, for a final treat, some more Lions. I don't know how many, as they were mostly very sucsessfully hiding.
Wegkruipertjieleeu
Wegkruipertjieleeu
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Mag ons ons kenniskry met lekkerkry aanhoukry.
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Peter Connan
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Re: Central Namibia - Three weeks of hell (not)!

Post by Peter Connan »

In the afternoon, I took Sonja back the same way. Of course, the migration had disappeared, but that doesn't mean there was nothing to see...
Rooiborslaksman
Rooiborslaksman
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Kiewiet
Kiewiet
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There were still quite a lot of Zebra about.
Klein Strepe
Klein Strepe
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And coming back, we found the Lions moving about a little bit.
Welpie
Welpie
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That night, I took advantage of a park bench in our campsite.
Ek & Sonja
Ek & Sonja
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Megan en Carla
Megan en Carla
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Die Stimies
Die Stimies
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XenoBlitz
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Re: Central Namibia - Three weeks of hell (not)!

Post by XenoBlitz »

Pieter... It's an absolute pleasure working through this.. Keep it coming.

I'm particularly impressed by some of you pictures. Nice!
May the road be long.. and dirty.
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Peter Connan
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Re: Central Namibia - Three weeks of hell (not)!

Post by Peter Connan »

Dankie Wilhelm
Mag ons ons kenniskry met lekkerkry aanhoukry.
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Rudolph
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Re: Central Namibia - Three weeks of hell (not)!

Post by Rudolph »

Sjoe Peter! Al wat ek kan sê is WOW! Dit was verseker 'n baie lekker trip gewees die, en baie mooi foto's ook. QQQ
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Peter Connan
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Re: Central Namibia - Three weeks of hell (not)!

Post by Peter Connan »

Dankie Rudolph
Mag ons ons kenniskry met lekkerkry aanhoukry.
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