Aabadi Lodge

One of the places we visited with Leilani was the Aabadi Lodge. We had not been out this way before. The drive out to this remote lodge was through the Namib Desert.This part of Namibia has few inhabitants scratching a living out in the desert.  

  Out in the middle of the desert, we picked up a man needing a ride. He told us that the people here mainly eat goat. There is not enough water to grow any crops of any kind. The scenery went from sand to more sand and then to rocky outcrops.

The lodge was nestled in the rock cliffs along a seasonal river bed (being the dry season--it was dry) Adbadi was advertised as luxury camping, but I will say this. We have stayed in much more luxurious camps. The scenery,  however, was spectacular. 

The tents were functional and the beds comfortable.

There were only solar power lanterns for light. It made for beautiful starry skies that night. Absolutely no light pollution. We saw several shooting stars. We tried experimenting with the camera, but the pictures just did not turn out as well as we hoped. Still working on that! 

One of the more interesting parts of the camp was the bathroom. Each tent had an open air bathroom behind it. While a rock wall was built around it, privacy seemed a bit sketchy. I think I was the only one who braved the shower and I could see people (actually just my family members thanks) walking around. I am not sure if they could see me. I didn't ask. Anyway, the water heater (the green tank in the picture) was wood burning and lit early in the morning and later at night. The water was pumped by a generator that we had to ask to be turned on. And be sure you check out the amazing shower head on the right of the picture. I had no idea that a plastic water bottle with holes could be so useful!

 We were disappointed when all the lodge's safari vehicles were broken down so we were unable to take a desert safari drive. We had gone there hoping to see desert elephants. It did not happen. However, we did see...

  Elephant tracks! 

  They were all along a dry river bed leading down the valley. There is no mistaking what they are.

While disappointed about some aspects of the day and lodge, the location was out of this world gorgeous. 

Water Holes in Etosha

As part of my Fulbright grant, I have been researching water resources management practices in Namibia. To further that effort, I recently took to the opportunity to study the water resource utilization practices of wildlife in Namibia. Below are some of the results from my data collection....

On our most recent trip to Etosha National Park, we visited two amazing water holes. The first water hole is named Okondeka and is located right on the western edge of the pan about 20 km north of the main camp at Okaukuejo near the center of the national park. Driving towards the water hole (about 2 or 3 km away), we began to encountered long, single file lines of springbok, oryx, and zebra moving towards the water hole. The closer we got to the water hole, the more lines of animals we encountered. As far as you could see in all directions where lines of animals moving to and from the direction of the water hole. I became really excited as I began to realize how spectacular the water hole was going to be because I had never seen so many animals moving and congregating at all once in the same location before.

Once we arrived at the water hole, we were not disappointed. A whole variety of plains animals in continual motion. Just like a picture right out of National Geographic. The only thing that could have made it any better was if there had been some of the big game like elephants, giraffes, or lions. But, it was what you always imagine Africa to be like.

The wildlife appear to be collectively utilizing the scarce water rather efficiently....

The next water hole was located east of Okaukuejo (exact location not disclosed in order to protect against poachers). Here we were able to see several elephants and one rhino. One elephant just stood there drinking and playing in the water.

Elephant Taking a Bath

Elephant and Rhino

It appears there is even enough water for the animals to take baths.....

We also encountered this nice little (about 1 meter long) rock monitor crossing the road. Everything, including reptiles, are big in Africa!

My guess he doesn't use too much water.

Hope you have been impressed with my in-depth academic findings and conclusions. Now I just need to find a journal to publish in....

Leopard Lodge

The first place we took everyone was Leopard Lodge. It is only about 100 km north east of Windhoek. It was lovely and a good introduction to Namibia. 

Water tower

Rooms we stayed in

Just one of the spectacular views.

While the lodge mainly caters to hunters, they provided us with a great safari drive. 

Aunt Mary Alice, Grandma, and Grandpa.  I think they really were having more fun than this picture suggests!

We were able to see...

caracal

giraffe

Spotted hyaena

cheetah

 Crocodiles-- I really am terrified by these guys. I am glad the guide said they had caught a kudu the day before so they weren't hungry, but lazy and sleepy.

zebra

Red Hartebeest

Everything in Africa wants to kill you, and not just the crocs!

You find strong contrasts. It amazed me to find this glorious little flower in the middle of the desert rock and soil. Gives new meaning to the old saying, "Bloom where you are planted".