Travels around the world 2009-2024
Exploring our beautiful planet

Etosha National Park

February 18, 2014  —  Namibia
Etosha National Park - Namibia

We spent 3 days in Etosha Park. All books say that it is better to visit in the dry season to spot the animals easily. Despite the fact we were in the middle of the rainy season, our safari was splendid.

Getting in the park at 6h30, we were surprised by this black rhinoceros crossing the road just in front of us. I had not yet taken my camera out, so only Gitane has a good shot of it. It's the only picture we have of the rhino. And yes, I swear quite a bit since I lost a chance to take a nice picture of this great animal.

But our safari was not done yet and a few surprises are waiting for us.

Etosha National Park - Namibia
Etosha National Park - Namibia
Etosha National Park - Namibia
The 2nd animal of the day. A black-backed jackal.
Etosha National Park - Namibia
Etosha National Park - Namibia
Lilac-breasted roller.
Etosha National Park - Namibia
Etosha National Park - Namibia
Cute little turtle that I can't identify...
Etosha National Park - Namibia
Etosha National Park - Namibia
Etosha National Park - Namibia

Namibia has a greater density of cheetah than countries in East Africa. In return, there are fewer lions and leopards that are the main competitor to the cheetah.

At a water hole, a cheetah was slowly getting closer to us. These oryx have also seen it and surprisingly, it was the oryx that chased the cheetah away. The cheetah is too small for an antelope of this size.

Etosha National Park - Namibia
Etosha National Park - Namibia
A cheetah.
Etosha National Park - Namibia
Oryx.
Etosha National Park - Namibia
Wildebeest.
Etosha National Park - Namibia

Zebras in Etosha are common zebras, but they are somewhat different with brownish lines between their strips.

Etosha National Park - Namibia
Etosha National Park - Namibia
Etosha National Park - Namibia
Etosha National Park - Namibia
Etosha National Park - Namibia
Drinking seems difficult for a giraffe.
Etosha National Park - Namibia
Ostrich.
Etosha National Park - Namibia
Etosha National Park - Namibia
Etosha National Park - Namibia
Etosha National Park - Namibia
Etosha National Park - Namibia
Banded mongoose.
Etosha National Park - Namibia
Etosha National Park - Namibia
Etosha National Park - Namibia
The 2nd day, after a two hours wait for a rhino to get closer to us and take some pictures, we abandoned the idea. The rhino has never moved from its place. But coming back to the campsite for lunch, another black rhino has crossed the road in front of us. What a chance!
Etosha National Park - Namibia
Red hartebeest; a different species than those in East Africa.
Etosha National Park - Namibia
New species - male steenbok.
Etosha National Park - Namibia
The only lion we have seen.
Etosha National Park - Namibia
Some daring impala.
Etosha National Park - Namibia
Not very far from the lion, a jackal checks a giraffe carcass.
Etosha National Park - Namibia

Again, what a chance! For a 2nd time in the same day, we stumble upon some black rhinos. It is the mother and its young one.

Etosha National Park - Namibia
Etosha National Park - Namibia
Etosha National Park - Namibia
Kori Bustard.
Etosha National Park - Namibia
Guinea fowl.
Etosha National Park - Namibia
Northern Black Korhaan.
Etosha National Park - Namibia
Etosha National Park - Namibia

Cape Ground Squirrels behave a bit like the suricate.

Etosha National Park - Namibia
Etosha National Park - Namibia
Not again, another rhino. Wow! At the end of the 2nd day, getting to a water hole, we again have an encounter with a black rhino... It is becoming a routine!
line-separator
Etosha National Park - Namibia
A large part of Etosha is a big salt pan often dry.
Etosha National Park - Namibia
Etosha National Park - Namibia
Etosha National Park - Namibia