I use to imagine wild adventures and exotic trips to far off lands like they were fantastical, only possible in a dreamland. But why do things need to be so out of reach? An African safari is the number one item listed on bucket lists around the world yet it remains there like something unattainable. Only if…. Well, I understand. It kept showing up on my list too but this year, this week, today, I was able to make it happen. I’m in Namibia on an African safari thanks to Namibia Tourism and ATI Holidays. For the last three days, I explored Etosha National Park on a self-drive safari. After years of dreaming, imagining, and envisioning an African safari, I still wasn’t prepared for what was to come. Endless herds of wild animals crossed the dirt road as if I was part of the group. Animals that I’ve never seen outside of cages roamed free and showed their true colors in their natural habitat. Around every turn and behind every bush, something was alive. I was alive, and awake, and actually part of it. Every emotion bubbled to the surface like a boiling pot. This was Africa! This was real, but this was my dream!
We first entered the park in the late afternoon. There was only an hour to explore but the animals were out and posing for the camera. As soon as we entered the gate, a massive black rhino was waiting for us. I snapped picture after picture, not believing my eyes. It didn’t seem real. It was within 20 feet. I became acutely aware of my setting, put down the camera, and took it all in. No matter how long I live, I will always remember those first few moments. Not only was a looking at a rare black rhino, but anything could happen. I was in the wild.
When a huge elephant appeared to my right, I was dumbfounded. I kept saying, “I can’t believe he’s right there.” I wanted, not more than my life, to open to door and walk over to that magnificent creature. It was all so real yet so surreal at the same time. He moved gracefully through he’s natural environment and grabbed a mouthful of leaves as he walked. I wanted him to approach the car. It felt like I could will it, but wild animals have a mind of their own. There was no controlling that guy; he was free.
We only had time to stop at one water hole that evening but we saw other elephant, dozens of springbok and impala, several zebras, and two jackals.
Respecting the park’s time restrictions, we had to call it an evening. The sun was setting as we drove away and an elephant roamed in the tall, distant grass.
Every day continued to get better and better, but you’ll have to wait for one day at a time. There’s just too much to tell!
It is a real and surreal experience all at once – yes…and wonderful to visit the animals in their hometown (so to speak)… a different world.
LikeLike
Namibia is an entirely different world. Everyday I’m amazed at what I see and experience. 🙂
LikeLike
I am loving your adventures! Yes, please keep the pictures coming!
LikeLike
I have so many more, it’s difficult to narrow it down.
LikeLike
Oh how exciting! I can feel your excitement! Thanks for sharing!!! 🙂
LikeLike
Nice photos!
LikeLike
Thrilling to read. I cannot imagine how it must feel to be there. Leslie, the excitement you feel jumps off the page. I look forward to hearing all about your experiences. ❤
LikeLike
Gorgeous!
LikeLike
Great photos, great post – thanks!
LikeLike
Even most of us who have it on our doorsteps, so to speak, don’t tire of it.
You certainly had a good first day.
LikeLike
Wait until you hear the rest!
LikeLike
I’m not sure I want to, when I think of some whole days of our game spotting where – yippee! – we were rewarded with one distant herd of impala.
LikeLike
Loving this. I was in Kenya and that first sighting brought me to tears. Fantastic. I also saw a black rhino. Breathtaking. Enjoy!
LikeLike
What was your favorite animal to see during your trip?
LikeLike
So hard to pick just one. Cheetahs hunting on the Maasai Mara- 3 brothers. A leopard cleaning itself in both Aberdare National Forest and Lake Nakuru. So lucky to see. Lions, lions, lions. Both white and black rhinos. Two jackals playing a game of chicken with the biggest python both myself and our guide had ever seen on the Mara. Wildebeast migrating. A herd of 12 elephants emerging from the jungle down a slope, grey heads slowly popping up out of the greenery. The list is just endless. But. My favorite? The leopard took my breath away. He really did. Such beauty there. I have goosebumps writing about it now. 🙂
LikeLike
How very cool. Lynda and I have been wanting to do that as well.. a hunting safari… with a Canon… hehehe.. enjoy the ride girl, that is what life is all about
LikeLike
Oh, I am so completely living vicariously through YOU right now! Thanks for sharing this adventure with the rest of us!
LikeLike
What fantastic colors! Such beautiful creatures…you are lucky to see them as the elephant population will continue to diminish as long as their is a demand for their ivory. My thoughts go out to Satao and all other elephants who have died in mankind’s vain.
LikeLike
I will never cease to appreciate that we in South Africa get more opportunities to experience this than most people around the world. Not everyone here, because of social and financial circumstances, but many of us are very, very lucky in this respect. I count myself among those. I hope that every experience that you have, leads to a greater awareness of the threat to African wildlife, particularly the rhino and the elephant. 80% of the worlds rhino population is in Southern Africa (South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia & Swaziland), but is constantly under threat from poaching, mainly owing to an ill-conceived idea in the east (China, Vietnam & others) that rhino horn has some strange medicinal value.
LikeLike
It brings me so much joy to live through you on your dream adventure!
LikeLike
Looks amazing – love your photos what camera are you using ? – will you go to the sand dunes ?
LikeLike
Great travel Lesley, I can’t wait to follow the next days 🙂
LikeLike
beautiful photos! I’m so glad you got to go and can share your adventures with the rest of us. 🙂
LikeLike
What an amazing adventure and fabulous pictures!! So happy that your dreams are coming true and that we get to share in the adventure.
LikeLike
I love this!
LikeLike
The pictures are amazing. This is so well written. I feel I am there with you (wish that I were). Can’t wait for more.
LikeLike
African Safari has gone to my bucket list after seeing these pictures ! They’re amazing! The zebras look unreal. This has to be done at least once in a lifetime ! I’m pretty sure you’d agree?!
LikeLike
How exciting! I can only imagine how breathtaking it must be. Looking forward to seeing your future posts.
LikeLike
Lesley, SO excited for you! I LOVED Africa, and safari was one dream come true after another… each day, each animal! My entire trip to S. Africa blew me away, but the animals really are unbelievable! Enjoy, my friend!
LikeLike
I saw a fair share of elephants and rhinos during my 4 months in Nepal, and I couldn’t agree with you more about the awe and excitement that these creatures elicit; just breathtaking to watch them plod along in the wild. I too couldn’t believe how close I was… Beautiful photos, Lesley!
LikeLike
Amazing! 😀
LikeLike
Great photos . . . I love the little fox!
LikeLike
Many thanx for sharing your adventures in Africa. Great photos!
LikeLike
Pingback: My Article Read (6-16-2014) (6-17-2014) | My Daily Musing
You saw a black rhino!!! They are almost extinct! Love the ellies
LikeLike
Awesome!
LikeLike
Thanks for letting me go with you from my living room.
LikeLike
Pingback: 2014 Bucket List | Bucket List Publications
It must be great experience!!
LikeLike
What a fabulous experience. I’ve enjoyed reading about your adventures.
LikeLike
Omgosh I want to experience an African safari!! How do you afford going on your adventures?
LikeLike
I used to be a member of the British Army, I was lucky enough to spend 4 months on a training exercise out in Kenya. Some of the wildlife I saw out there was absolutely amazing, waking up to a heard of giraffes just grazing on the surrounding trees to seeing a herd of elephants with there young. Amazing place to visit. 🙂
LikeLike