Upon waking up this morning, my first order of business is to hightail it back to the Okaukuejo watering hole where I witnessed the most spectacular gathering of wildlife the previous evening. But there’s only one elephant hanging out this morning.
The lodge here at Etosha National Park offers free-standing units with second-floor balconies that overlook the watering hole. I’m sure they cost a pretty penny, but what a spectacular view those guests must have.
After breakfast our group piles back into the overland truck. Riaan and Juliana will drive us around all morning in search of wildlife, and then we’ll have lunch near Halali watering hole on the Eastern Pan of the park.
Right out of the gate we spot a rhino.
He’s munching on thorny acacia branches. I don’t see how those taste good going down but to each his own?
Here’s a closer look at what the rhino is eating — he’s probably after these orange blossoms, but he must get a mouthful of thorns with each bite. Ouch.
We head back to the same watering hole where we found a lone elephant bathing on the first night.
Jackpot — two lions quietly sip from the water.
A jackal looks on tentatively:
Shortly thereafter the lions set off. We follow them at a distance (on the main road) in our overland vehicle, curious to see what sort of mischief they’ll get into.
We spot a hyena wandering solo on the other side of the road. Perhaps lunch for these big cats?
Turn back now, hyena!
As the lions venture deeper into high grass we turn back to the watering hole to scope out more action. This baby gemsbok is poised to take a drink.
Adult gemsbok and impalas await nearby.
Suddenly they stand at attention as the lions we were tracking earlier reappear, back for more water.
Our tour group can’t get enough of the lions. We’ve been in this area maybe an hour now and they’re still giving us photo ops.
Sated at last, the lions turn away and head back into the tall grass… but not before passing right in front of the (now long) line of safari vehicles.
We press on. Shortly thereafter we encounter zebras.
And then a cheetah!
Okay, TWO cheetas!
This elephant makes a brief appearance.
By now we’ve arrived at our lunch site — a camp near the Halali watering hole. We prepare lunch and there’s a pool for guests to take a dip.
Halali watering hole is maybe a 10 minute walk from camp.
Just like at Okaukuejo watering hole, there are plenty of benches and seating options to view the wildlife.
A pack of kudu (I think) stops by for some water.
On the drive back to our campsite, we spot a few more species… like this giraffe by the side of the road.
And two ostriches take a late afternoon rest.
It’s been a good day. I’m pumped for our final night at the watering hole this evening. More on that tomorrow!
I visited Namibia on a 12-day tour from Windhoek to Cape Town with Acacia Africa. They discounted my tour in exchange for blogging and photography; opinions are my own.
