Namibia day 10 - Etosha National Park

I was up early to photograph the sunrise over the koppies this morning. Sunrise is late, at about 7.15am. By then I was already packed up so could go straight to breakfast and we left at 8am. Camp Kipwe had been wonderful and the food exemplary. 

We went to Twyfelfontein which is nearby, to see the Bushman engravings. It is best to visit it early in the morning as it gets very hot there, as you wander around outside up and down the large stone boulders to see the engravings. It is a UNESCO world heritage site as these engravings date back to between 2000 and 6000 years ago. Incredible how they were etched into the large sandstone rocks using the harder quartz rock - the images of animals are very informative. There were even images of seals and flamingoes which shows the wide area that these people traversed.  It was already very hot at 8.30 am and we were not surprised to hear that a child who visited there yesterday collapsed in the heat. 

As we left we passed the herd of desert elephants again and the little baby was sleeping while mum stood watch over it. No baby elephant has survived in the past 5 years, so everyone is hoping that this little one survives. 

Then we headed east via Khorixas and on to Outjo where we stopped to get fruit and snacks for our lunch. Camp Kipwe had given us delicious packed lunches which we ate at a picnic site along the way.

We arrived at Okaukuejo camp in Etosha National Park where we are spending one night. At the entrance to the camp there were some Himba women selling their crafts, and I asked if I could pay them for a photo. They agreed but asked that I buy something so I ended up with things I don’t want to get a photo which was taken in harsh light and not the best conditions!

Okaukuejo is a government owned camp in Etosha, and we were told when we booked that it was basic accommodation but the main attraction here is the large water hole where you can watch the animals drink. Unfortunately for us - but good news for Namibia - they had rain on Saturday so there were no animals at the water hole but we sat and watched a most beautiful sunset. 

It has been unbearably hot today and I have felt soporific and lethargic all day. 

There is no WiFi here so I am unable to post my blip today. Tomorrow we head east to another lodge in Etosha which is more luxurious and where I will have WiFi. 

This is the main water hole at Okaukuejo, we saw no animals around it. Extra of a Himba woman, and a cute ground squirrel posing for Tommy!