Animal Magic

More snaps from Namibia now. Leaving the Namib Desert behind we headed to the coast, taking in the Flamingos of Walvis Bay before heading into the resort town of Swakopmund. A little chill-out time to appreciate the beach (and Arsenal losing the Carling Cup final) and then it was on the road once more.


Arriving at Cape Cross was strange. A strong stench and loud repeated bleating filled the air... Baa! Baa! Baa!

This wasn't coming from Sheep, oh no, it was from Fur Seals. Thousands of them.

Cape Cross is home to up to 250,000 of the bleaters and it is an amazing thing to see (and smell) them up close.


From Cape Cross we headed inland into the heat and rocky valley of Twyfelfontein, home of 6000 year old Bushman petroglyphs, cute Dassies and Rock Agamas (left).



And now for the big finish... Our final few days were spent in the magnificent Etosha National Park. Safari time! Daktari!

It being the Namibian summer and 'rainy season' I wasn't getting my hopes up about seeing lots of game (in the dry season the animals rely on the park's waterholes and there is less vegetation, so they are easier to find and spot).

I needn't have worried. Herds of Springbok, Zebra, Black-Faced Impala, Oryx and Kudu grazed. Elephants and Giraffe chomped on leaves, Lions played in the setting sun. Marvellous.


Add to this lot some Blue Wildebeast, Red Hartebeast, a Hyena and four Black Rhino and the animal list becomes quite impressive.


Etosha is a big place. At one point we were driving along and I swear I could spot 50 or more Giraffe walking gracefully around the vast bushland. A real jaw-dropping sight. It was a bit like when Dickie Attenborough says 'Welcome to Jurassic Park' and the Brontosaurs come into view... staggering. Something I'll never forget.

I could go on and on. I think I'll make just one more post this weekend about my trip before returning to spurt my usual rubbish.

Hear me roar!