I left early again today to have enough time to drive every single road and detour that is available between Halali and Namutoni, the most western camp in Etosha.
The landscape around Halali is different to what I am used from Okaukuejo. Here it is rocky and Mopane woodland makes it easy to overlook the animals in there. The rocky outcrops are perfect leopard land and I hoped to spot one. Unfortunately, it did not happen. Not this time …
While heading back to the main road to Namutoni in the eastern part of Etosha, I met the famous “White Elephants”. Elephants regularly enjoy mud- or dust baths and the salty soil of the Etosha pan gives them their distinctive silverish-white colour, although the skin itself does of course not differ to other elephants.
The one elephant stood on the left side quite close to the road and other two were a bit further on the right-hand side. Also on the right sight was the entrance path to a rest camp with a toilet, a destination I was looking forward to for the last two hours. The elephant on the left side seemed to plan to cross the road as well to follow his friends so I speeded up to overtake him and turn right to the camp but as soon as I came around the corner I realised that if I follow this road I would drive right into one of the other two elephant bulls. Bad idea! I had to turn immediately and go back to the main road and a quick look into the rear-view mirror told me that I have to do this RIGHT NOW to avoid ending up on the tusks of elephant No. 1. He got a bit excited that I passed him so quickly and was already following me. I made it without any incident but my word, that was close!
When I drove away, my heart was still beating, but I was smiling as well. I made it and the elephant seemed to be relaxed, too. I guess he just wanted to scare me a bit.
I knew that our paths would meet again just in a couple of minutes when they had to cross the main road I was on. As I had no intention to excite them again, I went on and positioned my car in a fair distance of where I expected them to cross and this time, I had a very relaxed sighting once they arrived.
It seemed to be the day of the elephant bulls because at my next stop, Kalkheuwel, another one just showed up. He was in a fair distance, was not disturbed by me, and peacefully had a rest.
And while I was watching this elephant making bubbles in the pool (as if we sometimes do with our drinks), I felt as if someone was staring at me.
It seemed I had entered the springbok’s toilet … 😄
| Both male and female springbok (Antidorcas marsupialis) squat when defecating, although rams squat less deeply. Except territorial males: “They have a unique urination-defecation ritual not used by immature individuals, but occasionally by bachelors. Spreading the legs far back and widely spaced, with the belly close to the ground, they urinate, then bring the legs forward and squat to defecate on the same spot” (Novellie, 1975). |
I finally arrived at Namutoni in the late afternoon and went straight to one of my favourite waterholes, Klein Namutoni (yes, waterholes are the best spots to find animals, especially on those hot afternoons).
Some vultures were hanging around, and other birds I have not seen before, like Cape teal, White stork, South African shelduck, and White-faced whistling duck.
Suddenly, I noticed a Black-backed jackal in-between my car and the water. Had not seen him coming and was now wondering why he is so wet. While most antelopes seek for some refreshment in the water, I had never seen jackals doing it. So why was he wet? Still thinking about it, I noticed him chewing on something and this was eventually the answer to my question. This rascal had caught a tortoise 😲
It seems a bit chewy and hard to crack, but a meal is a meal, isn´t it?
It was still time so I went on the “Dik Dik Drive” and found three cute little mohawks.
Damara Dik Diks. With a maximun height of 40 cm (therefore called dwarf antelope), a maximum weight of about 5.5 kg, and a mobile nose that can move in any direction, the Damara Dik Diks are tiny and adorable little things.
They are perfectly adapted to Namibia´s arid conditions and most of the water they retrieve through their browsing diet. Nevertheless, they will drink if water is available. They live in thickets and dense shrub vegetation and due to their size and colouration it is not easy to spot these well camouflaged antelopes.
These three were resting in the shade just beside the road and not at all irritated by the car. They allowed me to stop just beside them and after a couple of minutes, one eventually got up and not only started foraging but came quite close to the car and curiously observed me.
Look at their big ears and eyes and the beautiful eye lashes. I wished I could adopt one …
On the way back from Dik Dik Drive I had to pass Klein Namutoni again, and guess who arrived in the meantime? Indeed, Elephants! While I had only bulls today, this was finally a whole family group (including a bull that was either extremely relaxed or came with some intentions…).
Elephants are quite endearing and do not like to share their water. When they come, the others have to leave or wait and that is what the group of Giraffes did. They qued.
Two youngsters seemed to get a bit bored and started “necking” each other.
| Necking is the singular way male giraffes sort out hierarchies, as opposed to the head-butting, jousting, kicking or biting seen in other ungulates. Most necking takes place within bachelor herds as males resolve their respective social rankings; once those are established, bulls in a given population can usually avoid actual confrontations over mating rights. Source: Earthtouchnews |
It was time to leave the Etosha National Park to be not too late when arriving in Tsumeb, my stop for this night. That is what I thought. I had to make a quick stop at a lodge just outside the park to meet somebody that would help me with my work project. We quickly met, but just when I said good-bye to head to my accommodation, I read their message that they were fully booked. Due to the lack of network in the park I must have missed that … 😲 … luckily, I spontaneously got a room in the lodge for quite a good rate but unfortunately that means that I have to get up an hour earlier as planned … 😟
Good night,
Sininho
Sininho´s World 
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