Etosha National Park, Namibia.

For five days in a row, we packed up camp in the morning and drove ourselves around Etosha National Park searching for wildlife across the savanna. It’s a much cheaper option, and we were so glad to move at our pace, not beholden to a tour guide or the whims of a group. We spent hours sitting and waiting at or driving the miles in between the natural or man made water holes, where animals in this 22,270 sq km (8598 sq mile) park must eventually visit. There is a LOT of waiting.

The first few days were scorching hot and dry - good conditions for animal action at the water holes. The last few days it rained, so sightings were fewer. However, it wasn’t until the last day we finally spotted the lions. The herds of elephants, leaping oryx, and dazzles of zebra are a thrill to see, but there wasn’t a sighting as blood-pumping as the lion and lioness. In all, here’s who we were lucky enough to see: antelope (springbok), oryx, jackals, elephants, giraffe, zebras, wildebeest, ostrich, a hyena, white rhinos, kudu, mongoose, and storks. Unforgettable.

Evening visitors to Okaukeujo watering hole

Later we found a lion and lioness together!

Elephant herds meet and greet

Ostrich drinking

Jackas

Lion and lioness

Hyena chewing giraffe carcass

Wildebeest

Giraffe drinking

Rhinos that just crossed the road in front of us

Driving for hours