Collected Moments of Survival

A leopard tortoise on a dusty road. Would you see it if you were travelling at 60kph? Desert Dome, is available at Fine Art Gallery in Swakopmund. This morning the wildlife gods gave me a visit by a huge bull elephant at the waterhole just in front of my mobile studio. And while it was a breathtaking moment in the many moments Africa has to offer it brought on another train of thought. Etosha, I have to say, is not a shining example of conservation at work against the odds. It would seem, here, there is a far greater emphasis on tourism as opposed to conservation. It is such a great pity that we are losing the plot, so to speak. In the greater scheme of things, I would really like us to sit back and take stock of what we are doing. If, as we all say, we are supporting these initiatives, such as Etosha and many others, then we, as tourists should be more mindful, more educated, and more caring about what we are doing. Etosha, or should I rather say, NWR, in their wisdom, have decided th...

The Direction from which the Lion's Roar floats over the plains. It was cooler today, and as I sit here at the end of the day enjoying a sundowner, there is a lion roaring in the distance.   What a privilege to be able to sit and simply listen to the sounds of Africa. The day started out with a drive into the Park (Etosha) and once again the poor car was put to the test over the corrugated roads. We headed for a waterhole called Salvadora, famous for its lion sightings, but alas, no lions today. Instead, we moved onto Rietfontein, a natural spring area, and settled in for a few hours.   Within minutes the few zebras that were there grew to about 100 and then 200 as they moved to the water to slake their thirst.   Then the wildebeest arrived followed by a rather large kudu herd. Africa was, once again, not disappointing. Then, suddenly, the zebras gave a few snorts of disgust, and low and behold a spotted hyena appeared as if from nowhere. That took care of all the plains ...

Welcome to Etosha National Park, where disappointment and dust go hand in hand! As you arrive at this renowned destination, you might find yourself wondering if you've stumbled upon a car race rather than a peaceful wildlife sanctuary. With cars zooming by at 60kph, it's no wonder that the air is constantly filled with a cloud of dust. Forget about having a picturesque safari experience - here, it's all about dodging dust particles! But wait, there's more! The facilities at Etosha National Park are not exactly top-notch. In fact, they might leave you feeling less than impressed. Prepare yourself for encounters with public toilets that could easily be mistaken for scenes from a horror movie. Yes, they are that disgusting! It seems like the park management missed the memo on cleanliness and basic hygiene. And if you were hoping to enjoy a lovely picnic amidst nature's beauty, think again. Etosha National Park seems to have forgotten the importance of providing ample p...