Day three of Gordon Donovan's journey back to Namibia's Etosha National Park. Today we head east to the busiest camp in Etosha, Okaukuejo.

Trying to get an early start, I was slowed by having to carry equipment up and down hills of this camp. I missed the sunrise on the road due to the tardiness of staff at Dolomite. I drove east from Dolomite, stopping at several waterholes on the way to Okaukeujo. Nothing going on anywhere.

As I passed the Ozonjuitji m’ Bari waterhole, the area was filled with green fields and herbivores. It looked like a golf course with a tough fairway, with trees and zebras in the way.

I decided to head to Okondeko to see what was happening there. It was nearly 11:00 a.m. and the heat was on as temperatures had already hit 33 degrees Celsius (92 Fahrenheit). No sign of lions or any animals. I drove to the Okaunkejo camp and checked in. The folks were much friendlier this time around.

I visited the Okaunkejo waterhole, hoping to see a herd of elephants again. Only an Oryx and some birdwatchers from South Africa were at the waterhole.
Late in the day, I took a drive on the short loop road, visiting the Adamax, Natco, Okondeko and Wolfsnes waterholes.

Adamax was green and the waterhole was filled with herbivores. Got some great shots, with the sun slowly sinking down in the horizon. Near Natco was a thick, wooded area that could be the best shelter from heat for animals. Especially a large lion pride.

I went back to Okondeko for one last attempt to see if that pride would ever come around. Well, after 45 minutes, I called it a day, and headed back to camp just before sunset. The road from Okaunkejo to Okondeko is not the smoothest of surfaces. Racing back at 60 KM is not the best thing for the truck.

Along the slow drive, some great sun-setting shots were captured. Young jackals ran around along the side of the road as I drew closer to camp. Not a great day shooting, but it beat the Central Park Zoo any day of the week.

130119_wm_etosha_okaukuejo_C45H8013 Okaukeujo Waterhole blue wildebeest
Zebra Okondeka waterhole ground squirrel
blue wildebeest Herbivores graze along the road Springbok
springboks keeps a careful eye 130119_wm_etosha_okaukuejo_C45H8112 sun hides behind the clouds
130119_wm_etosha_okaukuejo_C41G2484 secretary bird blue wildebeest nudges another wildebeest lying on the ground
Etosha National Park

Waterholes and routes taken visited on day three in Etosha National Park.

Photos taken Jan. 19, 2013 using a Canon EOS-1D Mark IV Digital SLR with a EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM Standard Zoom Lens, EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM Telephoto Zoom Lens, a Sigma Telephoto 500mm f/4.5 EX DG APO HSM Autofocus Lens for Canon EOS with/without a 1.4x DG EX APO Teleconverter.

Photos taken today: 397
Total photos taken: 1826