Wow!
The pan is full of water because of the fantastic rainy season this year. The pan is so huge that it looks like the ocean as it disappears over the horizon. And there are vast plains of grass or sun-baked mud alongside the pan where animals seem so tiny against the vastness of open space. I can't describe it, and even photos do not do it justice. Like Victoria Falls, you really have to see this yourself to appreciate it.
We met up with a rather grumpy elephant. He came walking down the road toward us. We backed up into the intersection of a side road so that he had space to pass by - plenty space - he could continue straight and come no closer than about 30 meters. But for some reason he decided at the last moment to turn on us and charged right toward us. Seriously - we have evidence on video! Well - no pictures, but Shelby's frightened voice and chaotic random filming tells the story. Janette was, um, stressed, and Damon did what he always does when exciting things happen and he has a camera in his hands - nothing! We have decided he may be a photographer, but he is no ACTION photographer. I did a ninja move with the Fortuner, and got out of harm's way. It was too close for comfort is all I will say! For the rest of the day we stayed well clear of Elephants.
Alongside the road we found a Springbok hanging in a tree. So we expected a leopard, but he was not home. There was a Hyena keeping a watching brief below the tree, but he was unable to steal the Springbok for himself. When we returned later in the day the Springbok was still draped in the tree, but the Hyena was gone, and there was still no sign of the Leopard. Double-grrr.
We saw Springbok, Impala, Oryx (Gemsbok), Red Hartebees, Kudu, Giraffe, Wildebeest, Warthog, Zebra, Elephant, Hyena, Flamingo, Ostrich, Eagle (don't ask), and numerous other species of birds.
The Etosha Park is amazing, but we do not recommend the facilities at the rest stops. Doing your business outside the facilities is better than going inside - really!
A great day, and back to the luxury of Kupferquelle.
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