3rd night's stop over in Windhoek -an immaculate campsite at Daan Viljoen gamepark
IMG_3454.JPG (1.63 MiB) Viewed 3677 times
SWAMBO preparing breakfast
IMG_3460.JPG (3.06 MiB) Viewed 3677 times
entrance to the Etosha - Andersson Gate
DSC_0014.jpg (69.22 KiB) Viewed 3677 times
go Bokke
DSC_0025.jpg (77.33 KiB) Viewed 3677 times
The tallest inhabitant
DSC_0027.jpg (44.88 KiB) Viewed 3677 times
night's supper down the hatch, an early cold night to bed, then up early and off to the next waterhole
DSC_0048.jpg (71.42 KiB) Viewed 3677 times
an uninvited supper guest on the 1st evening in the Etosha
DSC_0053.jpg (47.5 KiB) Viewed 3677 times
a waterhole outside Okuakuejo
DSC_0069.jpg (74.13 KiB) Viewed 3677 times
mother and foal
DSC_0078.jpg (41.76 KiB) Viewed 3677 times
many's a crowd
DSC_0079.jpg (57.69 KiB) Viewed 3677 times
a red Hartebees
DSC_0085.jpg (46.06 KiB) Viewed 3677 times
Attachments
a large Kori Bustard - growing up to 12kg
DSC_0083.jpg (80.2 KiB) Viewed 3677 times
the first Elephants photographed
DSC_0034.jpg (45.79 KiB) Viewed 3677 times
These were the best ablutions used, compared to the rest of the trip
IMG_3449.jpg (2.3 MiB) Viewed 3677 times
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.
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....
It's my weight that's made the "Troll" look so "sag-bottomed" ... Lol
DSC_0112.jpg (81.05 KiB) Viewed 3667 times
the elephants a Halali were fantastic....day or night
DSC_0139.jpg (55.5 KiB) Viewed 3667 times
it was heart-warming to see some many HEALTHY elephants, of all sizes, in the Etosha
DSC_0180.jpg (60.08 KiB) Viewed 3667 times
even the brown mongoose played it's part
DSC_0187.jpg (91.91 KiB) Viewed 3667 times
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
DSC_0197.jpg (33.91 KiB) Viewed 3667 times
the Kudu, as well as ALL of the animals seen, during the thick-of-the=present drought, were all in excellent shape / condition
DSC_0210.jpg (92.36 KiB) Viewed 3667 times
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
DSC_0212.jpg (67.19 KiB) Viewed 3667 times
the first day at camp Kwando (Caprivi) - Kwando River (the dry skin itches were eased, at least)
DSC_0231.jpg (61.66 KiB) Viewed 3667 times
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 ... :-)
DSC_0235.jpg (84.96 KiB) Viewed 3667 times
even the toilet area was "well ventilated" ... Lol
DSC_0236.jpg (74.42 KiB) Viewed 3667 times
the communal lounge area was plush, comfortable and very pleasant for a "sundowner", in the late afternoon, with the setting sun
DSC_0257.jpg (61.45 KiB) Viewed 3667 times
our first "Makoro" boat ride ... luckily uniterrupted by any Hippos. The canoe's "skipper" was a very pleasant and knowledgeable Angolan, called Agostino
DSC_0263.jpg (55.69 KiB) Viewed 3667 times
after the dry Etosha, the Caprivi was a haven-of-birdlife. So many of them close enough to photograph - an African Gacana (i believe)
DSC_0273.jpg (118.54 KiB) Viewed 3667 times
one of the many Bee-eaters, caught-in-the-act, with lunch
DSC_0292.jpg (44.9 KiB) Viewed 3667 times
the "local" water-residents, Hippos, which I heard later, roam inbetween the campsites in the evenings ...
DSC_0328.jpg (40.42 KiB) Viewed 3667 times
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.
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
DSC_0361.jpg (64.59 KiB) Viewed 3666 times
a "young" Boabab, with SWAMBO posing, for a size-comparison
DSC_0365.jpg (111.98 KiB) Viewed 3666 times
decent photo opportunities abounded
DSC_0371.jpg (47.82 KiB) Viewed 3666 times
this was a praying mantis, which I still want TO IDENTIFY. Photographed while in the shower ... !!
DSC_0373.jpg (82.69 KiB) Viewed 3666 times
many of you will remember this "old chap" from ARMY DAYS..... it worked so well too...
DSC_0403.jpg (75.2 KiB) Viewed 3666 times
an evening "sundowner" boat ride
GOPR0025.jpg (40.11 KiB) Viewed 3666 times
one of the many beautiful Quiver trees
DSC_0411.jpg (91.38 KiB) Viewed 3666 times
oooops...almost forgot... one of the Etosha's "friendly" squirrels ( Halali ), which wouldn't "take NO" for an answer, while we had breakfast
IMG_3492.jpg (65 KiB) Viewed 3666 times
...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
IMG_3514.jpg (78.95 KiB) Viewed 3666 times
the last evening in "paradise" - CAPRIVI
IMG_3526.jpg (53.02 KiB) Viewed 3666 times
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.
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!
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.