Finally!
Today, we were about to enter Etosha National Park and immerse ourselves in the incredible African wildlife.
The anticipation was high – would we get to see one, or even all, of the “Big Five” today? We were beyond excited, no doubt. And it didn’t take long for something extraordinary to happen. Just a few hundred meters into the park, a female lion appeared, crossing the road right in front of us! We could hardly believe our eyes – an actual lion, just meters away! It was an incredible sight. My heart was pounding.
Could that be real? Just minutes into our adventure, we had already encountered our first lions! What an exciting start. What an unforgettable experience!
As our eyes roamed across the landscape, we spotted something in the distance that resembled a mane. Could it be a male lion? I quickly snapped a few shots with my 70-350mm lens, though it was a bit too short for the distance. Nonetheless, the photo revealed an adult male lion sitting near a water hole, guarding what seemed to be a large carcass. Given its size, it might have been a giraffe, though we couldn’t be certain. For obvious reasons, stepping out of the car and getting closer wasn’t an option, no matter how curious we were… 😀
Scattered around the area were large, gnawed bones, suggesting that this pride of lions might frequent the spot regularly or even use it as a hunting ground. No wonder the Oryx and Springboks were drinking at a more distant water hole, away from the danger.
We spent about an hour in awe, observing the lions and various animals at the water hole before continuing our journey further into Etosha. After all, we had only just arrived and were eager to explore as much of the park as possible.
Around noon, it appeared that all wildlife was taking a break from the intense heat, seeking shelter in the shade. Springboks, Coyotes and even Giraffes were tucked under bushes and small trees, trying to minimize their exposure to the relentless sun.
We decided it was time for lunch and made our way to the nearby Okaukuejo camp. As we parked, we spotted a group of Banded Mongooses foraging on the camp’s lush green lawn. Each member of the group was digging through the soil, searching for something to eat. The group moved together in perfect sync – it almost resembled a gang scavenging the area, but in the cutest way possible.
I must admit, I immediately felt a soft spot for these creatures the moment we spotted them. How could anyone resist these little cuties?
After witnessing so many incredible animals, we were eager to leave the camp and head back out into the Etosha pan. With plans to spend the next two nights at Halali camp, we set off eastward from Okaukuejo towards our destination for the night.
On our journey, we paused at several water holes, staying alert for any nearby wildlife. During our stay at Spitzkoppe rest camp, we had learned that the summer had been particularly dry. While this created difficulties for the local flora and fauna, it turned out to be an advantage for us – almost every water hole was bustling with activity. We discovered a new species practically every 15 to 30 minutes. It was absolutely amazing!
After we had spent almost the entire day exploring Etosha National Park, the first day finally came to a close – and what an incredible day it was! We had encountered so many animals, even two of the “Big Five”, that our minds were absolutely blown:
- Lions (Panthera leo)
- Plains zebras (Equus quagga)
- Spotted hyenas (Crocuta crocuta)
- Springboks (Antidorcas marsupialis)
- Martial eagle (Polemaetus bellicosus)
- Banded mongooses (Mungos mungo)
- Common ostriches (Struthio camelus)
- African elephants (Loxodonta africana)
- Black-faced impalas (Aepyceros petersi)
- Namibian giraffes (Giraffa giraffa angolensis)
As if all that weren’t enough, we ended the day with a breathtakingly beautiful sunset at the Halali campsite.
How I wish I could be there every day!
