7 September 2025
We have another early start today for more exploration of Etosha National Park. Wian takes us to the park entrance where we meet our guides for the day: Daniel and DJ. This is a different safari company that is taking us through the eastern portion of the park and out to our lodge on the other side. Wian will bring our bags in the bus (in fact he passes us on the way).
Because we saw so many animals yesterday, we avoid stopping at many of the places we have already and head out in search of new things. We tell them that our wish list is giraffes (easy), cheetahs and leopards (both of which are rare sightings). As it turns out we see a LOT of giraffes along with the usual springbok, zebra, wildebeest, ibex etc that like to hang out together to pool their collective senses to warn of potential attack.
We learn that when a group of giraffes are standing still they are called a tower of giraffes but when they are moving they are called a journey of giraffes. They are very easy to spot whether on the plains or poking out above the tops of the trees. We see quite a few groups on the horizon and many more alongside the road. We see a big group of them at a watering hole and watch them bending down to drink. They can only do this for a very short time before they have to stand back up again because of their amazing system that allows them to get blood flow up their long necks.
We are fortunate enough to see a cheetah mother with her two cubs, resting under a tree pretty close to the road. Late in the day we just miss out on a sighting of a leopard – a few get a brief glimpse as it disappears into the undergrowth.
We are treated again to a herd of elephants (much smaller than yesterday) at a watering hole and another herd crossing the road.
Etosha means the big white place – today we see the enormous white Etosha pans – limestone and salt pan 4500km2 fed by a permanent river. The area had water until about 3 months ago, and often the area around them is marshy.
We meet up with Wian at the edge of the park and leave our guides. There is another 30 mins drive to get to our accommodation and Wian is still looking out for opportunities for wildlife viewing for us. We stop for more elephants crossing road; and see a big tower of giraffe at watering hole with blue wildebeest in front.
Then we drop down onto Adoni plains: vast flat grassy plains with lots of wildebeest, zebra, and giraffe. There are 2 big bull elephants in distance – most will be seeking shade today as it is very hot.
Tonight we have a very special stay at King Nehale Lodge – a very sumptuously fitted out lodge. We have enormous rooms fit for a king. There are individual pools outside each room complete with sun loungers looking out over the plains to the west. There is a bottle of complementary champagne that we drink outside watching the sun go down. Then we have dinner in the equally sumptuous restaurant. There is a blood moon complete with a total lunar eclipse tonight so we keep racing outside to have a look at the moon.
Back in our rooms there is also complementary port for a night cap. We could get used to living like this! But unfortunately we only have 1 night here.
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