Etosha National Park: Namibia Day 9

 Wow.  I’m a camping PRO now.  Look at me, heading into a National Park and camping like I know what I’m doing.  And even more startling; I LIKE it. 

We’re headed into Etosha National Park, the largest national park in Namibia.  Obviously in a national park you do…outdoorsy things.  And when that national park is in the middle of an African country, you obviously do outdoorsy things like…watch for game and drive around the park.  Of course, you must know that this park is ENORMOUS.  Approximately 1200 square miles.  And in the middle of the park is an enormous saltpan, where when it does rain, it fills up with water for a few months.  The rest of the year the water is depleted and all that is left is salt in huge sheets.  It’s pretty cool.

So anyway, back to the camping ground.  After 3 nights of absolute spoilage, we have now been brought back to reality to camping.  Hilali Park in Etosha, where we were staying is

Our campsite at Hilali Campgrounds

a very big, open public place (no private shower for Melly this time!) with lots and lots and lots of other people who are doing the same thing we are…camping.  And there are lots of tour buses with lots and lots and lots of people that are surrounding us and so therefore, the silence has been a wee bit destroyed here.

But no mind, we’re here to look for wildlife!  So let’s go!

The Watering Hole at sunset

First place: the watering hole located just outside the campsite.  The national park fills the hole on a regular basis so animals have a place to go, and people have some wildlife to watch.  This hole is amazing.   It’s very quite and tranquil, and it’s required that you are silent as you view the hole so as not to scare the animals.  The first time we went we didn’t see anything more than birds and mosquitos drinking the water, but the sunset was INCREDIBLE.  I must have taken about 40 photos, trying to get that perfect shot that could capture the essence…probably didn’t get it but the effort was there!

Our first evening in Etosha was pretty chill: Matt cooked chili and we sat around the campfire, relaxing and enjoying the night.  We did have a few surprise visitors though; honey badgers!  Evidently they really like the leftovers found in the garbage cans and quite frankly aren’t shy about their excursions.  Anya was thrilled; she LOVES the honey badger.  She was on a mission to capture a photo of our furry friends scavenging the campsite and finally on our last night, she succeeded.  They are cute, if not a little cuddly.  Of course, I wouldn’t want to get too close to one on a bad day…

 

Shortly before bed on the first night, we decided to venture back out to the watering hole to see if any animals were taking in water.  We were rewarded with 3 elephants draining the watering hole!  At night the hole is equipped with two flood lights so we can watch the action at all hours of the day.  Slowly, one by one the elephants had their fill and slowly moved out of the hole, save one.  This guy continued to drink, and drink, and drink.  He’d slowly fill up his trunk, and then cock it up and fill his mouth.  Then he’d stop, pause, think things over for a minute, as if debating whether or not he’s had his fill, then evidently decide he has not and begin again.  This must have gone on for at least an hour, which by that point we had to get some sleep as we were getting up very early the next morning.  But from the looks of things, this guy was going to be a while. 

I just hope he doesn’t drain the hole completely!!