Sunday, 1 June 2025
After I cracked it last night the IT Guy copied my documents to the Location ‘On My iPad’ so I feel a little bit more confident that my work is saving to somewhere in the iPad’s hard drive rather than in some ephemeral location that exists in cyberspace. I have everything crossed as I continue recording our adventures, now writing about Sunday on Thursday!
This morning we were met by a guide from the other side of Etosha National Park named, Pandu. After hearing about their adventure yesterday morning I was looking forward to a heated poncho but, no, all we got this morning was mingy fleece blankets that did next to nothing to keep me warm against the morning’s chill air. Another early morning experience to regret the fact that I didn’t pack my lovely, long, warm, merino ski socks! And I so should have put my puffer vest on this morning.
As the sun rose, we were off for another big day in Etosha National Park searching for animals. Well, the others were, this, of course, was my first day in the park and my first game drive looking forward to finding some animals! The rest of our group missed out on big cats yesterday so hoped to see some big cats. Our first animals were zebras and giraffes (not to mention the ubiquitous springboks) which I was excited about even if the others were a bit bored with zebras and giraffes after having seen so many of these yesterday. Soon we were lucky though, happening upon two cheetahs enjoying their kill not far from the road. Some jackals hovered, waiting patiently to move in on the cheetah’s left overs. We saw a bit of back and forwards, with the jackals creeping closer and being chased away repeatedly. Eventually, the cheetahs were sated and they stalked off into the trees. Finally, the jackals could have some breakfast.
Next everyone was thrilled to see three young lions! We watched as they padded across the grassland to a watering hole where they had a drink. Pandu said the trio was a male and two females, probably siblings three to four years old who have left the pride they were born into to strike out on their own. Very, very exciting to see some big cats.
Today was about relocating from Okaukeujo to tonight’s lodge, just outside the King Nehale Mpingana Gate. This meant that we continued to meander in a generally north-easterly direction around the southern perimeter of the Etosha Salt Pan. We made a toilet stop at one stage … inside a fenced compound that keeps the wild animals and the humans separated. Driving through a gate and into a compound like that reinforces that the wild life here can be very dangerous. In fact there has been a man, an experienced lion researcher, killed by a lion in the last few days so definitely a stark reminder that the big cats can easily kill a human, even someone who knows what they’re doing around wild life.
We took a lunch break today at Halali Lodge. Yesterday everyone would have been pleased to have a toasted sandwich option for lunch but they had to choose between chicken wings and chips, spaghetti bolognese and vegetarian quiche. Today they were not disappointed and I think it was toasties all round.
Apart from the magnificent big cats, today we also spotted: giraffes, giraffes, giraffes by the dozen, usually in the company of zebras and often with warthogs too. In addition to these plentiful sightings we also saw a red hartebeest, a family of banded mongoose, and a terrapin. But, birdy nerdy alert, we also saw many birds. Our feathered sightings included: the southern pale chanting goshawk, the lilac-breasted Roller, the southern red-billed hornbill, cattle egrets and some tawny eagles. We have had good sightings of many more birds than I imagined we would. I am not a mammalist! I enjoy seeing the avian residents of the park too!
I don’t think I could ever get sick of seeing the zebras and the giraffes. Later in the afternoon we saw a large mixed herd at a waterhole drinking. It was interesting observing that the giraffes seem to have two methods for getting their mouths close to the water. Some spread their legs widely, while others used a bent knee approach. The zebras drinking beside them were so skittish. Every time a giraffe moved the zebras would retreat, only to come back to the water’s edge when they had reassured themselves they were not in danger.
Wian met us at Namutoni Lodge and it was time to say farewell to our expert safari driver, Pandu, climb down from our open-air vehicle and pile back into the truck. As we headed north towards our beds for the night, Wian pulled off to a few waterholes to see if he could find some elephants for us. The pachyderms continued to elude us though but … we did see more giraffes! Soon we found ourselves arriving at the MAGNIFICENT Etosha King Nehale Lodge. This is our most sumptuous accommodation yet with a private swimming pool for each beautifully appointed suite.
Once again though, the pool was COLD. If it had been a hot spa I might have ventured in but it was too cold for me. Bernie went in, just to be able to say that he had been in our private pool. Yes, he went in, but he was back out again very quickly and into the hot shower. And, what a shower! Big enough for the whole family. I was just so happy that the water was reliably hot so I took the (overdue) opportunity to wash my hair. So sad that we only have one night to enjoy the facilities here. C’est la vie.
Another night, another buffet!
Steps: 6,086 (4.13kms)
