My first days in Etosha

My first couple of days in Etosha were already amazing and I still cannot believe that I am really here for the next two months. It had been such a coincidence that I met the veterinarian Dr. Axel Hartmann that works there and that he offered me to stay as some kind of volunteer.

During the day I have the opportunity to accompany him out in the field. In my off-time (afternoon and evenings) I can drive around and the nights I often spent at the camp´s waterhole where I just was lucky to see a Lioness with cubs and a Black rhino, drinking together just a couple of metres away from each other. Although a single lion is not a threat for an adult rhino, it is still an unusual and simply great sighting. While I was amazed by the cubs that were playing just a couple of metres away from where I was standing, I all of a sudden realised that the mom was staring at me. It made me feel a bit uncomfortable cause she was not far but I felt still safe behind the wall and the fence. But then I had a closer look. Where I was standing, the fence is not high and would not be an obstacle at all for a cat. I have never felt so vulnerable! But luckily the lioness did neither consider me prey nor a danger to her cubs. Since then, this is my favourite spot to watch the animals at night. A bit exciting, but so great!

It is such a gift to have the waterhole right in front of the house and a lot of animals just come and go during the day, giving us guests the opportunity to watch and enjoy them. It is a beautiful picture to see all the different species together.

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Always special are the moments when Elephants comes along. Those gentle giants have such a great presence and every encounter is like a present. They radiate such a wisdom and calmness and it feels like an honour when they allow me to stay a bit and watch them.

Nevertheless, their mood is quite fragile as well and can change is seconds and an angry elephant is one of the most intimidating things to experience.

Good night,
Sininho