Day Seventeen: (Part One) - Guest Blogger - Susan Bittante - Back into the Park
Today, part of our group decided to have some rest & relaxation at the lodge. The rest of us ventured out to Etosha National Park with our own vehicles. I think yesterday's bumpy, dusty & hot (40 degrees) game drive, in the open-air Land Rovers, made us long for air conditioning & comfort!
Richard, Lynda & Alesa drove on their own, while the other 12 of us drove together in three vehicles. Michael, our tour leader, decided to let Gino lead the group for this outing. Ironically, Anna was the driver! Gino had a map of the park & his trusty GPS, so was the back seat navigator & critic!
We got off to a bumpy start when we missed the turnoff to the first watering hole, Gemsbokvlakte. However, after that, it seemed smooth sailing & we drove to eight watering holes & two rest stops without getting lost! We were getting used to seeing springbok congregating under shady trees beside the road, or crossing in front of our vehicles! We stopped for a few minutes, while Roger fixed his spare tire rack, which swung open on the bumpy, gravel road. Luckily, there were no predators around!
Driving further into the park, we came upon some vultures feasting on a recent kill. We reached our prettiest watering hole, called Homob, with a reed covered island in the middle. We saw ostriches drinking & bathing, along with springbok, zebras, oryx & a lone wildebeest. Then, when we visited the Salvadore watering hole, way out there, under a tree, were three lions! Thank goodness for zoom lenses, as they were difficult to see with the naked eye when lying down in the tall grass.
Our highlight before lunch was visiting the Nebrowni watering hole where elephants were playing in the water, blowing bubbles! A couple of the larger ones had a few words & gently butted heads, interlocking their tusks. We were the only three vehicles watching the "elephant show". It was mesmerizing to watch & Gino remarked, "It doesn't get any better than this!"
We took a time out for lunch & refreshments in the park town, called Okaukuejo. Some of us, not driving, enjoyed a refreshing, double gin & tonic for $3 CAD! Then, off to the watering hole at the edge of town. We were about to leave, when a well-hidden male lion arose from under a tree & walked to the water to drink, scaring away the herbivores that were quenching their thirst.
Our day was complete.
We saw lions & elephants & we will resume the hunt for the other big cats, leopards & cheetahs, tomorrow!
Today, part of our group decided to have some rest & relaxation at the lodge. The rest of us ventured out to Etosha National Park with our own vehicles. I think yesterday's bumpy, dusty & hot (40 degrees) game drive, in the open-air Land Rovers, made us long for air conditioning & comfort!
Richard, Lynda & Alesa drove on their own, while the other 12 of us drove together in three vehicles. Michael, our tour leader, decided to let Gino lead the group for this outing. Ironically, Anna was the driver! Gino had a map of the park & his trusty GPS, so was the back seat navigator & critic!
We got off to a bumpy start when we missed the turnoff to the first watering hole, Gemsbokvlakte. However, after that, it seemed smooth sailing & we drove to eight watering holes & two rest stops without getting lost! We were getting used to seeing springbok congregating under shady trees beside the road, or crossing in front of our vehicles! We stopped for a few minutes, while Roger fixed his spare tire rack, which swung open on the bumpy, gravel road. Luckily, there were no predators around!
Driving further into the park, we came upon some vultures feasting on a recent kill. We reached our prettiest watering hole, called Homob, with a reed covered island in the middle. We saw ostriches drinking & bathing, along with springbok, zebras, oryx & a lone wildebeest. Then, when we visited the Salvadore watering hole, way out there, under a tree, were three lions! Thank goodness for zoom lenses, as they were difficult to see with the naked eye when lying down in the tall grass.
Our highlight before lunch was visiting the Nebrowni watering hole where elephants were playing in the water, blowing bubbles! A couple of the larger ones had a few words & gently butted heads, interlocking their tusks. We were the only three vehicles watching the "elephant show". It was mesmerizing to watch & Gino remarked, "It doesn't get any better than this!"
We took a time out for lunch & refreshments in the park town, called Okaukuejo. Some of us, not driving, enjoyed a refreshing, double gin & tonic for $3 CAD! Then, off to the watering hole at the edge of town. We were about to leave, when a well-hidden male lion arose from under a tree & walked to the water to drink, scaring away the herbivores that were quenching their thirst.
Our day was complete.
We saw lions & elephants & we will resume the hunt for the other big cats, leopards & cheetahs, tomorrow!
Susan
Bittante
No comments:
Post a Comment