Safari 2021: Namushasha, Caprivi, Namibia

Monday 24 May to Tuesday 25 May

Lockdown Day 424 to 425

Namushasha is a lodge situated on the Kwando River in Central Caprivi.

The large, grassy campsites each have their own facilities and river views. Site 4 is one of the best.

On Tuesday we ventured out to the remote Nkasa Rupala NP and we had the entire National Park to ourselves. We picnicked out in the middle of no where.

The afternoon boat trip was stunning eventhough the fishermen amongst us had no luck this time. The houseboat is part of the lodge and sleeps just 2 for a romantic night out on the river. 

Safari 2021 : Ngepi, Caprivi, Namibia

Saturday 22 to Sunday 23 May

Lockdown Day 422 to 423

It's a long drive from Etosha into the Caprivi. We had to stop in Tsumeb to stock up on food and pick up a new tyre for the Magg's car. Ngepi is a quirky bush camp set on the Kavango River close to the Mahango National Park. Site 22 is a grassy, riverside spot with it's own shower and kitchen areas. We set up camp and settled around the fire while hippos snorted in the river and buffalo bellowed from the opposite bank. 

Early on Sunday we all drove out to the Mahango Reserve. We spotted hundreds of buffalo; completing our Big 5 for the trip. Special sitings also included Lechwe, Roan and lots of warthogs.

In the afternoon Neil, Andrew, Ronell and Johan went tigerfishing and Hanlie and I did a sunset cruise. We took our own bottle of Rose for sundowners. Lockdown has definitely made me less tolerant of sharing my space with strangers and putting up with their rudeness but being on the water in such a beautiful place - with wine - more than made up for it!  The Caprivi is a birder's paradise so on the morning of our departure we did a bird walk. Our bird list for the trip stands at 164.

We have been on this trip for 4 weeks already and the time has just flown. Life is good!

Safari 2021: Namutoni and Onguma, Namibia

Wednesday 19 May to Friday 21 May

Lockdown Day 419 to 421

On our drive to Namutoni we saw so much game. Thousands and thousands of trekking zebra were just amazing.

The Eastern side of Etosha is so different from the West. Fisher's Pan is still full of water and the birdlife is awesome.

We camped for two nights at Namutoni.

On Friday we checked into Onguma Bush Camp for the night. On a 6 week camping trip it's good to have a night or 2 in a lodge. We spent a wonderful evening on the deck overlooking the waterhole.

Safari 2021: Okaukuejo, Etosha, Namibia

Sunday 16 May to Tuesday 18 May

Lockdown Day 416 to 418

We spent 3 nights at Okaukuejo Camp in Etosha. The three best campsites are numbers 35, 36 and 37. You can't prebook a site so we were lucky to get 36 with nobody else squeezing into 35 so we could spread out a little. The floodlit waterhole here is awesome. On the first night we watched 8 black rhino for about an hour. That night the lions were roaring so loudly just beyond the camp fence but we didn't get up to see them at the waterhole. The following night they came down to drink earlier; 2 lionesses and a big male lion mingling with 5 rhino at the waterhole.

On Monday we drove East, all meeting up for lunch at Halali Camp. The game is so plentiful it's fantastic to just sit at a waterhole and watch the comings and goings. We saw hyena, honey badger and jackal too.

On Tuesday we drove West, coming across lions on an elephant kill before enjoying a jaffle and wine picnic.

We are enjoying the camp cooking every night and have got really good at making bread in the flat bottom potjie pot ( Dutch oven) on the fire.

Safari 2021 : Palmwag, Namibia

Friday 14 May to Saturday 15 May

Lockdown Day 414 to 415

Another lovely scenic drive into Damaraland and only one small puncture on the Magg's car. We have all invested in TPMS's. Tyre Pressure Monitoring Systems. The Bluetooth device beeps if any tyre starts losing pressure or getting too hot. We were lucky enough to see the desert elephants this time. Palmwag Lodge and Campsite is a wonderful oasis in the harsh, rocky landscape. Johan and Ronell drove out into the conservancy but the rest of us had a chill out day. Laundry, Cleaning, Admin, Blogs. We unpacked all our hidden stashes of wine and whisky.

Safari 2021 : Spitzkoppe, Namibia

Thursday 13 May

Lockdown Day 413

Spitzkoppe is one of the most amazing places to camp. Site 11B is one of the best sites but it  doesn't have much shade during the day. There is a secret alcove between the huge boulders where you can get out of the sun. We had a picnic lunch with lots of wine and a restful afternoon.

The sunsets are awesome. And the GnTs.

Cooking on an open fire, eating under the stars. Excellent wine and whiskey. And as much ice as we want from Neil's ice-maker. (This Landcruiser is well kitted out! )