Rob and I have just returned from our amazing African adventure: 3 days in Joburg, 36 day self drive safari in Botswana and Namibia and concluding with 5 days in Cape Town.

Botswana has to get the tick for fantastic close up animal viewings, in particular Moremi NP and Chobe NP whilst Namibia is incredible for its scenery and the fascinating Himba tribe in the far NW Corner of Namibia.

I hope you enjoy this first selection of photos which focuses on the many animals we saw throughout our travels.  Apologies for any blurry photos but for blog purposes the photo resolution is reduced.  Our two favourites were the giraffes and zebras – their markings are incredible.  Rob was hoping to spot a cheetah but unfortunately, they were very elusive on this trip and were a no show.  Next time!

ANTELOPES – so many different varieties.  Impala and springbok the most prolific.

BABOONS

BIRDS – fabulous variety with the lilac breasted roller the absolute stunner.  Also loved the sociable weavers’ nests.

BUFFALO

ELEPHANTS – just wonderful!!

GIRAFFES   Favourite #1

GOATS AND CATTLE – dodging them on the roads was fun

HIPPOS

HYENA – only spotted one hyena

MOUNTAIN HYRAX – like a big guinea pig but related to elephants

INSECTS

JACKALS – one sauntered into camp one evening

LEOPARD – only the rear end of one beating a hasty retreat

LIONS

MEERKATS – sssoooooooo cute!!!!!

MONGOOSE – similar actions to meerkats

MONKEYS – mainly the Vervet species

REPTILES

RHINOS – amazing!!!

SQUIRRELS

WARTHOGS – go the hog!!

WILD DOGS – very lucky to see these apparently

WILDEBEEST

ZEBRAS   Favourite #2      Both the common Burchell’s zebra and the less common Mountain zebra which has quite different striping – no shadow stripe.

Hope you enjoyed this amazing array of creatures.  Botswana was great for more close up viewing than Etosha NP in Namibia.  Huge herds in Etosha but a bit further away.  Waterholes were the best viewing sites, either early morning or late afternoon.