Greetings from Namibia! Sorry – I didn’t mean to be away for so long!
My intention was to take a few weeks off from the blog, during which time I camped in three of Namibia’s game reserves. The break was wonderful but only served to put me behind at work so I extended my “blog pause.” I hope to make up for my absence with this, my longest post yet. Fear not – it’s mostly photographs and one little short video.
I hope you enjoy it!
(And thanks to those of you who checked in with me to make sure I was alright – I certainly am!)
The photos are mostly in chronological order, with some adjustment to bring animal types together. My itinerary included Erindi Private Game Reserve, Etosha National Park and Waterberg Plateau National Park.
Erindi Private Game Reserve
Etosha National Park
Waterberg Plateau National Park
“Denny” nailed it- those shots are straight out of National Geographic!
Fine job, Chris. Melanie mentioned it doesn’t look like the terrain could support such diversity. Just make sure you don’t provide these critters such sustenance!
Long way from Hawaii, Chris!
Keep up the good work-
Thanks, Mark!
Chris,
These photos are incredible. Did you say “Camping” in the parks? (Yes you did – I just checked.) What kind of camping exactly – as in ‘does your tent keep some of these predators out?’ Thanks so much for posting these.
Ha! At all 3 locations, humans are restricted to staying overnight in fenced “camps” to protect both them and the wildlife. Each site offers lodges, chalets (read: cabins) and tent/RV campsites. During the day, we are free to drive around on certain roads in our own vehicles, or to join “game drives” in safari buses on other restricted roads. So, when I camped in my little backpacking tent, I was well-protected from the big animals. Snakes, spiders and scorpions, on the other hand… I always always had to keep an eye open for… Thanks for viewing, Joel – I hope you’re well!
The photos were fabulous. So enjoyed seeing the variety of wildlife. Many of the other photos you’ve shared don’t look like they could support many animals so interesting to see these areas. Are they far from where you’re living?
Hi, Melanie, and thanks! You’re right: Namibia is so diverse in such a relatively small area. Drive times from Arandis: Erindi is about 2.5 hours away, Etosha 6-8 hours & Waterberg 5 hours. Further away (8-12 hours), they’re experiencing such severe rains that many of my colleagues in the north have been evacuated from their sites this week due to flooding!
Wow Chris what gorgeous photos. I was particularly intrigued by the close ups of the Lions. I also didn’t realize there was so much lushness I the mountains. Thanks you for sharing.
Thanks, Julie – so nice to hear from you! Namibia has very diverse terrain: from the arid desert where I live to green forests near Waterberg Plateau. In the North of the country (where I have yet to visit), there are very lush rainforests.
Great shots. What are those straight lines carved out of the vegetation the panorama photo? (Second from last photo) Old air strip?
Hi, Jeff (and Happy Birthday!) Those are “gravel roads,” what we would refer to as nicely-maintained dirt roads, and they make up most of the roadways throughout the country.
Incredible pictures Chris!
Amazing! Thanks for sharing.
Incredible Chris! Wasn’t sure if these were Nat Geo screenshots or your own doing! Wow
That’s a whole lot of critters!!