Africa | Patterns of Nature

The Okavango Delta

By Bethany Ellis on March 1, 2015

The opportunity to see the Okavango Delta in Botswana during wet season is not one to miss. Driving along the Okavango River from the Namibia-Botswana border, we stopped on the eastern side of the delta’s panhandle and camped out on one of the delta’s islands. Greeting us upon arrival was a grazing hippo trying to blend in with a local’s herd of cows.

In order to get to our campsite for the night we had to take a trip in the makoros, the traditional canoes that are controlled by a poler standing at the back of the boat and pushing it along using a long pole. It was terrifying to be floating on a river full of hippos and crocodiles, in a boat that felt like it could tip over at any moment.

There was plenty of birdlife to see along the way including many African Jacanas (below), African Fish Eagles, Kingfishers and Open-billed storks.

After setting up camp on an island in the delta we went for another makoro canoe cruise in search of wildlife where we spotted some happy hippos.

As we made our way back to camp before the storm we sat for a while to watch the sunset over the delta.

Antelope of Etosha

By Bethany Ellis on February 27, 2015

The flat grasslands and savannahs surrounding the great Etosha Salt Pan, within Etosha National Park in northern Namibia is home to many of Africa’s amazing animals. During the wet season the lush grass allows many animals to graze, with various antelope the most common to animals to come across.

Oryx, the national animal of Namibia, were my favourite antelope with their black and white faces and amazing antlers.

Steenbok were the smallest antelopes we came across and were quick to hop away whenever a vehicle came near.

We saw impala all throughout the park and they were always found in large herds.

These two male Impala spent several minutes with their antlers locked in a fight. I’m not sure either of them won the fight as they both just wander off to graze when their antlers were finally separated.

Etosha was the only place we saw a Red Hartebeest and luckily she was travelling with a baby.

Springbok were another very common antelope within the park and we would often have to slow down on the roads to let the Springbok cross the road and decide which side of the road they wanted to graze on.

Wildebeest were one of the largest antelope we saw and came in small herds, often with a baby or two following along behind.

Cape Cross Seal Colony

By Bethany Ellis on February 25, 2015

Cape Cross, a small headland along Namibia’s Skeleton Coast, is home to one of the worlds largest fur seal colonies. Visiting in January meant there was a very large number of young seals pups only a few weeks old.

A few of the adult seals seemed to be taking the pups for a swimming lesson as they crowded alongside the edge of the water, whilst others were quite happy to pose for the camera!

This site had hundreds of fur seals, both swimming in the water and relaxing on the rocks. Although you can’t tell from these pictures, smell of these seal was horrendous.

The boardwalk around the seal colony was the only shade provided for the seals and every spot was quickly taken up by sleepy seals.

A Moment with a Meerkat

By Bethany Ellis on February 24, 2015

This was my first time seeing a Meerkat up close and they are so much cuter than that one in the TV ad! One of our campsites had a pair of pretty tame Meerkats that roamed and dug around for food. Unfortunately I didn’t manage to capture any shots of the Meerkats in their standing pose as they were too fast!

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Above the Namib Desert

By Bethany Ellis on February 22, 2015

When you first fly out of Swakopmund you are quickly met by the vast Namib Desert, ranging from barren and dried up river beds to the towering sand dunes.
You don’t realise how tall and wide the sand dunes are until you fly over them.