Andersson Camp

NOV 13-14
Doro !Nowas (the proper pronunciation includes "!", one of four clicks in the language) to Andersson Camp - Namibia has three main types of roads. We have traveled up until now on gravel roads, which are well maintained but can be a little of a 'magic fingers' experience, and makes for a long day. Along the coast we drove for a while on a salt road which is constructed from salt and gypsum and relies on the moist air to maintain its strength. Today was different and travel was mostly on tar roads. Along the way were sightings of ostrich, kudu, springbok, and unexpectedly - an antique car rally. The landscape changes to a mix of grass and low scrubby trees dotted with slender termite mounds that rise to 6-8 feet.
A stop at the Cheetah Conservation Foundation gets everyone's attention. The organization acts to study and protect cheetahs and has an impressive compound full of researchers, animal care keepers and international volunteers from all over.

We see some world famous cheetahs and some of us are distracted by yellow-billed hornbills and grasshoppers.

Andersson Camp is my favorite lodge so far. 19°21'16.21"S / 15°54'19.67"E
It is constructed around a stone farmhouse surrounded by new simple elevated tents. Later, I am pleasantly surprised to find out that the lodge was designed by the same architect as the oil drum visitor center at Twyfelfontein. On the grounds of the surrounding reserve are many species, including rhinos, lions and other game. The immediate camp is protected with an electrified fence, which should keep the smart animals off the grounds. Night sounds include barks and whoops of hyena and jackal.

There is a small waterhole near the dining patio and we are visited by wildebeests, springbok, jackals, and as dark is falling - a single cheetah who is reeeley jumpy and keeps looking around while it drinks. As we are at the dinner table, someone runs from the kitchen - "feet up, everyone get your feet up..." but the scorpion turns out to be of the non-deadly type, and we torment the poor thing with a photo opportunity. Later, back in our rooms, someone comes running to say that a black rhino has come to drink, so we all run back. Unfortunately, too dark for photos, but we are engrossed, looking at this creature.
A visit to Etosha National Park completes the visit, but we need to stay on the roads, so a lot of the fun stuff is most likely out of sight.