From CT to Etosha to Caprivi & back June'13 - Part 1

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Nino62
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From CT to Etosha to Caprivi & back June'13 - Part 1

Post by Nino62 »

First night's stop in Springbok
First night's stop in Springbok
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3rd night's stop over in Windhoek -an immaculate campsite at Daan Viljoen gamepark
3rd night's stop over in Windhoek -an immaculate campsite at Daan Viljoen gamepark
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SWAMBO preparing breakfast
SWAMBO preparing breakfast
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entrance to the Etosha - Andersson Gate
entrance to the Etosha - Andersson Gate
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go Bokke
go Bokke
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The tallest inhabitant
The tallest inhabitant
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night's supper down the hatch, an early cold night to bed, then up early and off to the next waterhole
night's supper down the hatch, an early cold night to bed, then up early and off to the next waterhole
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an uninvited supper guest on the 1st evening in the Etosha
an uninvited supper guest on the 1st evening in the Etosha
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a waterhole outside Okuakuejo
a waterhole outside Okuakuejo
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mother and foal
mother and foal
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many's a crowd
many's a crowd
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a red Hartebees
a red Hartebees
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Attachments
a large Kori Bustard - growing up to 12kg
a large Kori Bustard - growing up to 12kg
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the first Elephants photographed
the first Elephants photographed
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These were the best ablutions used, compared to the rest of the trip
These were the best ablutions used, compared to the rest of the trip
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Here's to the next 4x4 trip Good company, remarkable scenery & a good capable vehicle - WISH LIST: custom front & rear bumper+winch, Air assist springs.
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Alex Roux
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Re: From CT to Etosha to Caprivi & back June'13 - Part 1

Post by Alex Roux »

Thanks for the report.
That Patrol was loaded in the back!
Skilpad, Shortie, Toro & Masewa
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Re: From CT to Etosha to Caprivi & back June'13 - Part 2

Post by Nino62 »

Hi Alex,
YES....It was loaded a bit TOOO much... eventually dumped the 50lt water from the internal watertank attached to the drawer system, realised that the filling stations were well speced = no need for jerry-can fuel .... and as the supplies got consumed, it helped a lot. I did encounter a few irate oncoming traffic in the beginning (elevated headlights), if attempting to travel at night.... which prompted me to do a manual rule-of-thumb adjustment to their elevation..... AND I"VE JUST BOUGHT A SET OF AIR SPRINGS FOR THE REAR.... :woo:
It's my weight that's made the "Troll" look so "sag-bottomed" ... Lol
It's my weight that's made the "Troll" look so "sag-bottomed" ... Lol
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the elephants a Halali were fantastic....day or night
the elephants a Halali were fantastic....day or night
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it was heart-warming to see some many HEALTHY elephants, of all sizes, in the Etosha
it was heart-warming to see some many HEALTHY elephants, of all sizes, in the Etosha
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even the brown mongoose played it's part
even the brown mongoose played it's part
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Etosha has a "purposefully" undisclosed Black Rhino population (for obvious reasons), which is rumoured to be one of the largest in Africa...& the least threatened
Etosha has a "purposefully" undisclosed Black Rhino population (for obvious reasons), which is rumoured to be one of the largest in Africa...& the least threatened
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:clap:
the Kudu, as well as ALL of the animals seen, during the thick-of-the=present drought, were all in excellent shape / condition
the Kudu, as well as ALL of the animals seen, during the thick-of-the=present drought, were all in excellent shape / condition
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this was during a quick lunch-break, in the Halali waterhole, within a short-walk from our campsite (max 10 min) = 59x elephants, apart from the dozens of Impala & Kudu
this was during a quick lunch-break, in the Halali waterhole, within a short-walk from our campsite (max 10 min) = 59x elephants, apart from the dozens of Impala & Kudu
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the first day at camp Kwando (Caprivi) - Kwando River (the dry skin itches were eased, at least)
the first day at camp Kwando (Caprivi) - Kwando River (the dry skin itches were eased, at least)
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we chose a private campsite, with own ablutions - built of branch-fenced, open aired structure. The sky / star topped, showers in the evenings were FANTASTIC ... :-)
we chose a private campsite, with own ablutions - built of branch-fenced, open aired structure. The sky / star topped, showers in the evenings were FANTASTIC ... :-)
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even the toilet area was "well ventilated" ... Lol
even the toilet area was "well ventilated" ... Lol
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the communal lounge area was plush, comfortable and very pleasant for a "sundowner", in the late afternoon, with the setting sun
the communal lounge area was plush, comfortable and very pleasant for a "sundowner", in the late afternoon, with the setting sun
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our first "Makoro" boat ride ... luckily uniterrupted by any Hippos. The canoe's "skipper" was a very pleasant and knowledgeable Angolan, called Agostino
our first "Makoro" boat ride ... luckily uniterrupted by any Hippos. The canoe's "skipper" was a very pleasant and knowledgeable Angolan, called Agostino
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after the dry Etosha, the Caprivi was a haven-of-birdlife. So many of them close enough to photograph - an African Gacana (i believe)
after the dry Etosha, the Caprivi was a haven-of-birdlife. So many of them close enough to photograph - an African Gacana (i believe)
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one of the many Bee-eaters, caught-in-the-act, with lunch
one of the many Bee-eaters, caught-in-the-act, with lunch
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the "local" water-residents, Hippos, which I heard later, roam inbetween the campsites in the evenings ...
the "local" water-residents, Hippos, which I heard later, roam inbetween the campsites in the evenings ...
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:lol:

Cont'd on Part 3
Last edited by Nino62 on 16 Jul 2013 08:24, edited 1 time in total.
Here's to the next 4x4 trip Good company, remarkable scenery & a good capable vehicle - WISH LIST: custom front & rear bumper+winch, Air assist springs.
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Re: From CT to Etosha to Caprivi & back June'13 - Part 3

Post by Nino62 »

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one of the 4x Kingfisher species seen that morning.... this was the male (of a pair) that was permanently "stationed at our campsite, and made their daily appearances, as soon as the lawn sprinkler was turned on
one of the 4x Kingfisher species seen that morning.... this was the male (of a pair) that was permanently "stationed at our campsite, and made their daily appearances, as soon as the lawn sprinkler was turned on
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a "young" Boabab, with SWAMBO posing, for a size-comparison
a "young" Boabab, with SWAMBO posing, for a size-comparison
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decent photo opportunities abounded
decent photo opportunities abounded
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this was a praying mantis, which I still want TO IDENTIFY. Photographed while in the shower ... !!
this was a praying mantis, which I still want TO IDENTIFY. Photographed while in the shower ... !!
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:lol:
many of you will remember this "old chap" from ARMY DAYS..... it worked so well too...
many of you will remember this "old chap" from ARMY DAYS..... it worked so well too...
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:biggrin:
an evening "sundowner" boat ride
an evening "sundowner" boat ride
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one of the many beautiful Quiver trees
one of the many beautiful Quiver trees
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oooops...almost forgot... one of the Etosha's "friendly" squirrels ( Halali ), which wouldn't "take NO" for an answer, while we had breakfast
oooops...almost forgot... one of the Etosha's "friendly" squirrels ( Halali ), which wouldn't "take NO" for an answer, while we had breakfast
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...and another of Halali's locals, which gave SWAMBO & I, a fright at our evening braai... they don't scare and go "where they please"... including "raiding anyone's unsecured" food supply
...and another of Halali's locals, which gave SWAMBO & I, a fright at our evening braai... they don't scare and go "where they please"... including "raiding anyone's unsecured" food supply
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the last evening in "paradise" - CAPRIVI
the last evening in "paradise" - CAPRIVI
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Here's to the next 4x4 trip Good company, remarkable scenery & a good capable vehicle - WISH LIST: custom front & rear bumper+winch, Air assist springs.
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Re: From CT to Etosha to Caprivi & back June'13 - Part 1

Post by Marino4x4 »

Very nice pic's Nino. Looks like great fun. I need to get out more!!!
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Grant
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Re: From CT to Etosha to Caprivi & back June'13 - Part 1

Post by Grant »

Nino,

Great pics. :woo: :woo: AIR helpers do wonders when loaded up. Do not see many taking pics of our feathered friends, great job.
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Re: From CT to Etosha to Caprivi & back June'13 - Part 1

Post by JEA »

Thank you for sharing Nino.
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Re: From CT to Etosha to Caprivi & back June'13 - Part 1

Post by ricster »

WOW !!! looks AWESOME !!!

By the way..... ( off topic ) .....I take it you got sorted with Nissan???
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Re: From CT to Etosha to Caprivi & back June'13 - Part 1

Post by marakasmalan »

Hello Nino,

Thanks for the report! I'm envious to say the least. I am saving up my leave for a good extended overland trip, hence can you perhaps shed some light on a few questions for me:

Etosha: How simple is the booking process and does SADEC citizens get a discounted rate? How long in advance do one need to book and what is the availability like.

Campsites (in and outside of Etosha): Can you perhaps makes us a list of the campsites you stayed at and rate them 1-5 quality and 1-5 value for money.

Roads & vehicle: Does one really benefit from taking a patro up there? Was there any place you couldn't get to if you were not driving a Patrol? Question being fuel is a big expense and one can half that cost by driving a diesel 2x4 bakkie derivative or even more if driving a platkar.

Then, did you cross the now widened bridge over the Okavango at near Bagani, not too far from Pupa Falls? Did you take any pictures?

Regards and thanks for giving us a short work-time holiday with the pics!

Marnus
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Re: From CT to Etosha to Caprivi & back June'13 - Part 1

Post by Nino62 »

THANKS ... Marinus, John, Grant, Cedric & Marnus ... for the "thanks / compliments"...
Here's to the next 4x4 trip Good company, remarkable scenery & a good capable vehicle - WISH LIST: custom front & rear bumper+winch, Air assist springs.
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