Etosha National Park: words do not suffice

Etosha National Park: words do not suffice

“How exactly does this whole self-drive game viewing in Etosha work?” I felt unbelievably dumb asking this question. My traveling companion kept saying things like, “we’ll have heaps of time during the middle of the day to read, swim, nap, write, play cards.” Yet somehow we were also supposed to see hundreds, maybe thousands, of animals. To me, this made no sense. Before Etosha, my game viewing experience consisted of

Wildlife of Namibia Part 2

Wildlife of Namibia Part 2

As mentioned in a recent post about plants, Namibia wildlife astounded me day after day. I’ve been in Africa for more than six months now and have seen an overwhelming amount and variety of animals. Even the ones I see regularly such as baboons and goats still excite me. Unless I’m seeing those baboons in a campsite, then I’m not a fan.   In South Africa and Swaziland, most game

Wildlife of Namibia Part 1

Wildlife of Namibia Part 1

When I set out for Namibia, I figured the only place I’d see wild animals would be Etosha National Park. Maybe I’d see oryx and springbok, almost certainly a few baboons, perhaps a flock of flamingos. But my quick research told me it was the wrong time of year to see desert elephants and the thousand-beast herds of antelope that once roamed the country are no longer. I had no

Gibbons in the Mist

Gibbons in the Mist

Superlatives are not my forte. In fact, I hate them. Tastiest meal I’ve ever eaten? Most beautiful place visited on this trip? Best dive I’ve ever done? Favorite food? Nicest hotel stayed in? I can’t answer any of those questions. But I can isolate a few experiences I’ve had, a handful of places I’ve gone, meals eaten, dives enjoyed, and days lived and identify them as truly outstanding. With each

Penguins and Seals in Otago

Penguins and Seals in Otago

Penguins are cute. Watching one work its way across the beach, waddling one step at a time knowing it has a long climb up a steep hill to its nest is downright adorable. Observing this on a beach surrounded by lush green bluffs with fewer than 10 people in sight was awesome. Doing this then walking down the beach and seeing sea lions playing, another penguin heading to a nest,