Pussy cat, pussy cat…

A highlight of any game drive has to be the spotting the “Big Five” game animals – Lion, Leopard, Elephant, Rhino and Buffalo. 

Etosha offers some of the best game viewing in southern Africa, with opportunities to see a wide variety of animals and birds, but of course, the highlight has to be the big cats.

First up were a pair of cheetahs lying in the shade, digesting the catch of the day – this was lying in a bush nearby, probably a springbok.

Fortunately, the cats were lying some five metres from where we were parked up, offering close up views – their faces still stained with blood from the catch.

Cheetahs are incredibly efficient hunters, using their incredible bursts of speed to chase down their prey (estimated at 60 – 80 kmph), but are limited to a single chase following which they have to recover (hence no cars called “Cheetah”).

If that wasn’t good enough, after lunch, a pride of lions was found around a watering hole. The pride, comprising two males, five females and two pairs of cubs.

The younger pair of cubs (a few months old), were the highlight of the afternoon as they cavorted with each other in the typical fashion that you expect from kittens!

Unfortunately the leopards proved to be elusive, but that was more than  made up by the wealth of other birds and animals, including elephant, rhino, giraffe and numerous antelopes, zebra, kudu, oryx, wildebeest etc.

A worthwhile trip and thoroughly recommended! 

Etosha–Life in the Pan

Life in the pan is tough. This was amply demonstrated whilst watching a pair of Honey Badgers digging for mice.

The problem was that the badgers weren’t alone – in attendance were three Pale Chanting Goshawks, and one Jackal, all intently watching the progress that the badgers were making.

After some 10 minutes of digging, one of the badgers caught a mouse, only to have it snatched away in a swift move by one of the Goshawks. That Goshawk was so so quick, blink and you’d miss it!

Undeterred, the badgers continued digging, resulting in one finding a second mouse shortly afterwards, leaving the jackal to slink off in search of easier options.

In the meantime, the Goshawk had retired to a near by termite mound to feast on his “catch”…