After an early breakfast at the Safari lodge, I jump in the green camouflaged, eleven seated Land Rover four by four to join the rest of our party of six including Jessica, our lovely Ranger. We head off out of the lodge and along the tarmacked road to the park entrance only five miles away.

As soon as we entered the tarmac turns to hard compact gravel which makes for a bumpy ride. The sun is rising and can be just seen through the Acacia trees. Up ahead, in the distance, we see a large bull elephant plodding towards us, so Jessica accelerates before he disappears into the thick overgrowth. We draw level just in time to see his rear waggle in to the bush. The sound of tree trunks crack as he gently pushes them over showing the strength of these animals. All around us are dead trees scattered along the road side where herds of elephants disregard what grows in their way.

A little further, various Antelope dart in to the bush as we approach, though some jump ahead of the jeep and follow the road as if we was chasing them.

Jessica explains we must search for the cats before the sun heats up then later we look for animals which are easier to find.

We drive for around sixty kilometres around the Etosha pan until we park alongside another rangers jeep who has obviously found something of interest. It’s a hyena only a few feet away with the head as big as a horses and jaw as powerful as a crocodiles. His/her stomach is swollen and we suspect its just eaten.

We continue to search for the cats in particular a pride of lions but unfortunately only find more antelope, giraffe and ostrich. Still, far from a disappointing day and certainly makes up for the wildlife I missed through previous countries.

A long, sleepy drive back to the lodge then dinner whilst a storm instantaneously blows in. The staff rush around closing doors and hatches which slammed in the hurricane like wind. A cosy afternoon in my room as I pack for tomorrow’s departure towards Botswana.

 

 

Share This Story, Choose Your Platform!

Leave A Comment