mariand: Namibia, Day 10, Monday, 24 April 2017. Etosha Safari Lodge to Makuti Lodge, Etosha National Park

samedi 20 mai 2017

Namibia, Day 10, Monday, 24 April 2017. Etosha Safari Lodge to Makuti Lodge, Etosha National Park

Today we do the game viewing with the bus. We move from the Western side of Etosha Park to the most Eastern gate of the park. First stop the big waterhole outside the Okaukuejo camp. Unfortunately, with the rain we’ve been having, the animals can find water elsewhere and so the waterhole attracted no game except for a few birds. It must be a spectacular site when herds of different species congregate, especially at night when it is flood lit. Anybody planning a trip to Etosha should consider staying at that camp.
En route we saw about the same animals as yesterday plus a white rhino from afar. The waterholes are a bit disappointing but even without great game viewing it is a real delight to drive through the beautiful landscape watching the grazing animals.
We stop at the Halali camp for lunch. This is the only meal of the entire tour which is not included. Lindy advised us to make our own sandwiches from the lavish breakfast buffet. Very good idea. At about 2PM we arrive at the Makuti lodge, 5 min. outside the Lindequist gate. It is a very big lodge, very beautifully landscaped and with its own fauna. A small herd of Bontebeast lives on the estate and twice we saw them around the swimming pool, quite tame. They are native to South Africa. I also saw a Steenbock and the very pretty Lourie birds.
Marc had managed to buy some cigarettes from a staff member, so after supper the boys and I had some Amarulla with a cigarette by the bar at the pool, quality time! Dad joined us later. Sitting outside, listening to all the unknown sounds, smelling the Amarulla fruits fallen off the trees, and looking at the dark southern sky… not a bad day!