Namibia | Etosha

Thoroughly well rested from my relaxing stay in Windhoek and more than ready for some serious safari action, I hit the road en route to the first lodge one my itinerary: Andersson’s Camp, set within Ongava Game Reserve on the border of (and with its own private gate to) Etosha National Park.

The drive took about five hours from Windhoek. The highway was well paved, straight as an arrow for much of the route and pretty much all mine most the way (save the occasional roadside warthog and baboon spotting).

Once at the camp, I was made to feel welcome and soon after settling in I was off on my first game drive with my guide for the two nights stay, Michael. What sets Andersson’s Camp apart of other lodges in Namibia is its proximity to the Etosha Pan, a 120k long dry lakebed … and the plethora of wildlife living around it. Michael was especially adept at tracking animals, getting as close to them as possible without disturbing them (including a White Rhino family we approached on foot). I couldn’t get my head round all animals I saw in just two days, especially the lions. I saw so many lions – young, old, male female.

Camp digs were certainly rustic, but more than agreeable. My “room” was a kind of canvas tent/stone cabin hybrid with en-suite bathroom featuring flush toilet, basin and open air shower, as well as a wooden deck and covered veranda with an uninterrupted view of the bush.

Food at the lodge was good, and I loved dining near the camp’s watering hole where you never knew who might show up. There was a hide a minute’s stroll from the dining area for up close viewing of any critters dropping by for a drink.

My two days exploring the Etosha area set the bar high for the rest of my trip. As I’m embarked in early morning to head west to the vast desert region of Damaraland, I wondered how anything could top it.

Keep an eye out for more posts about my visit to Namibia. For details about this beautiful country visit namibiatourism.com.na.