Today was our final day in Etosha, today we should find out that it was a wise decision getting our ignition fixed a few days earlier…
Having already seen three of the “Big Five” (lions, African elephants, and black rhinoceros), we were hoping to spot a leopard. As for the African buffalo, we would need to head further north to the Caprivi Strip, a narrow extension of Namibia in the northeast. Seeing the buffalo today was therefore unlikely.
We left Halali for the last time and made our way towards Etosha’s eastern gates, where we would spend the night at the Onguma Tamboti campsite. We took our time, reluctant to leave Etosha, stopping at each waterhole for at least 30 minutes. At one waterhole, we were quietly watching some Greater kudus, Red hartebeests, and other antelopes drinking when suddenly, a group of elephants led by their matriarch emerged from the bushes. Elephants are a common sight in Etosha, and usually, they scare off any other wildlife at the waterholes when they arrive. What made this moment different to our other encounters was that we were blocking their path from the bushes to the water.
Although we didn’t speak “elephant” fluently after three days in Etosha, the matriarch’s message was unmistakable. She was determined to ensure a safe route for her family to reach the water and saw us as a possible threat. She made this clear by flapping her ears and waving her trunk back and forth, almost as if she were motioning for us to move away. Now, imagine being stuck in that situation with a faulty ignition and an angry 3+ ton elephant just meters away… Thankfully, our car started on the first try, giving us the chance to slowly reverse, allowing the elephants to proceed to the water, all while keeping a close watch on us with each step.
Surely I will not forget this incredible encounter with the largest land animal inhabiting our planet these days!
As we spent our time at the different waterholes, we indulged ourselves in the last moments of Etosha National Park. Here are some impressions from that day. Enjoy!
At the end of the day, all good things must come to an end. After a few unforgettable hours, we finally left Etosha behind, heading towards Onguma Tamboti camp. Unfortunately, the leopard never crossed our path that day, so it looks like we’ll have to return to this incredible country once again…
We were in for one last treat though – a dinner in the African bush!