We had an early start to what was going to be a slow day trip to Etosha, The road north was in great condition and we had very little traffic to speak of. Frequent rest and stretch stops, until we figured out we may just have enough time to see the Hoba Meteorite near Grootfontein.
A 105km detour from Otavi to Grootfontein, where we saw the massive meteorite and it was impressive. Lots of laughs shooting the memory pics with Dad in fine form, then it was back again to the Etosha von Lindequist gate
Anyway we made it into Etosha main camp and then we had to fill up with petrol and head off to our camp , Onkoshi is right on the eastern side, far away from it all, We had to do some low bush flying to cover the last 45km that we had to do,, in less than 60 minutes, on the sand road…..some speed hey Doris and George? Anyway …we screeched in sideways at 5.29pm and 55seconds before the gate closed.

Met by Morris and his great crew, very friendly and helpful. Our rooms are quaint rustic fixed tents with wooden deck floors .Very clean and well appointed fixed structure tents. Fantastic sights out of stackable front doors which display the wide flat pan, and at night the breathtaking milkyway is above us. Tje first night, the moon was the tiniest sliver wide and the stars were breathtaking.

The food at Halali was incredible. A set menu of soup, starter, main course and desert each night and the traditional breakfasts in the morning. It is an amazing feat that this quality of food can be provided so far from markets and stores.

We spent the next day driving around the area. We had some incredible bird sightings, hawks, eagles, lilac breasted rollers kori bustards aplenty, korhaans, finches, hornbills, weavers, ducks, quails, francolins, the namaqua dove, robins, starlings, kites, Unfortunately, very few animals. There were gemsbok, plenty springbok, wildebees, giraffe, zebra and two elephants. Ground squirells and bugs and crickets. A special sighting was a family of 6 kudu, including what appeared to be a set of young twins – not often that we have seen baby kudu. We also saw many ostriches

We left Onkoshi camp on Saturday morning and took a slow drive via Namutoni camp to Okaukuejo camp. Again, very few animals to see. The problem is that there is so much water around and the bush is dense and the grasses high. The water lies in puddles on the roads We did see gemsbok, springbok, rooi hartebees, giraffe and hartebees. Some birds and bugs and squirrels again too.

We were excited to get to Okaukuejo camp as the folks stayed in a waterhole chalet and we had heard so much about all the animals to see. We were quite disappointed, On the first night I sat up at the waterhole unitl after 10pm and nothing but a massive herd of zebra. In the early morning, we did see two black back jakhals, some more zebra, a hartebees and one elephant.

we drove all around the gemsbokvlaktes, leeupan and numerous other areas, and again saw very little, save for springok, zebra and finally we did see a white rhino. At the waterhole that night, I sat up until 9.30 or so….still nothing to see. Although we did hear that some elephant came by later on.

The camp at Okaukuejo was great, I do recommend a waterhole chalet if you are going to stay there. You can sit on your patio and view the game. The restaurant was excellent, great selection of buffet foods. We thoroughly enjoyed our stay in Etosha despice the scarcity of animals. On our way to the gate, we did see about 6 elehants and some jackals. Would have like to have spent an extra two days and done the western side too.

This morning we left early and drove to Swakopmund, via Outjo, Otjiwarongo and Omaruru. We stopped at a really cute coffee shop en route in Omaruru. Great drive with awesome scenery. The country is so rugged and barren. Beautiful landscapes changing constantly. We arrived in Swakopmund at about 4pm.

We are staying at the Hotel Zum Kaiser, which is beautiful great rooms overlooking the sea, very friendly staff. It is a public holiday today and everything is closed, but we managed to get a booking at Kucki’s Pub for dinner. I had a superb kabeljou, and Dad had kingklip. Early night tonight after some serious mileage the past week.

Dad and I at the Hoba meteorite

Mom and Dad

The Hoba meteorite

Grootfontein shadow people

Hmmmm…Mom thinks he is funnty

At Onkoshi camp

Me at Onkoshi

The view of the pan feom my bed

Sunset at Onkoshi

The pans

Sunset at Okaukuejo waterhole

Sunrise

Weavers nests

The sole elephant

Night time at the waterhole

Sunrise