Nissan Patrol 4x4 (Africa)

Posted: **15 Jul 2013 22:06**

: First night's stop in Springbok; DSC_0002.JPG (1.59 MiB) Viewed 3844 times

: 3rd night's stop over in Windhoek -an immaculate campsite at Daan Viljoen gamepark; IMG_3454.JPG (1.63 MiB) Viewed 3844 times

: SWAMBO preparing breakfast; IMG_3460.JPG (3.06 MiB) Viewed 3844 times

: entrance to the Etosha - Andersson Gate; DSC_0014.jpg (69.22 KiB) Viewed 3844 times

: go Bokke; DSC_0025.jpg (77.33 KiB) Viewed 3844 times

: The tallest inhabitant; DSC_0027.jpg (44.88 KiB) Viewed 3844 times

: night's supper down the hatch, an early cold night to bed, then up early and off to the next waterhole; DSC_0048.jpg (71.42 KiB) Viewed 3844 times

: an uninvited supper guest on the 1st evening in the Etosha; DSC_0053.jpg (47.5 KiB) Viewed 3844 times

: a waterhole outside Okuakuejo; DSC_0069.jpg (74.13 KiB) Viewed 3844 times

: mother and foal; DSC_0078.jpg (41.76 KiB) Viewed 3844 times

: many's a crowd; DSC_0079.jpg (57.69 KiB) Viewed 3844 times

: a red Hartebees; DSC_0085.jpg (46.06 KiB) Viewed 3844 times

Posted: **15 Jul 2013 22:17**

Thanks for the report.
That Patrol was loaded in the back!

Posted: **16 Jul 2013 07:54**

Hi Alex,
YES....It was loaded a bit TOOO much... eventually dumped the 50lt water from the internal watertank attached to the drawer system, realised that the filling stations were well speced = no need for jerry-can fuel .... and as the supplies got consumed, it helped a lot. I did encounter a few irate oncoming traffic in the beginning (elevated headlights), if attempting to travel at night.... which prompted me to do a manual rule-of-thumb adjustment to their elevation..... AND I"VE JUST BOUGHT A SET OF AIR SPRINGS FOR THE REAR....

: It's my weight that's made the "Troll" look so "sag-bottomed" ... Lol; DSC_0112.jpg (81.05 KiB) Viewed 3834 times

: the elephants a Halali were fantastic....day or night; DSC_0139.jpg (55.5 KiB) Viewed 3834 times

: it was heart-warming to see some many HEALTHY elephants, of all sizes, in the Etosha; DSC_0180.jpg (60.08 KiB) Viewed 3834 times

: even the brown mongoose played it's part; DSC_0187.jpg (91.91 KiB) Viewed 3834 times

: Etosha has a "purposefully" undisclosed Black Rhino population (for obvious reasons), which is rumoured to be one of the largest in Africa...& the least threatened; DSC_0197.jpg (33.91 KiB) Viewed 3834 times

: the Kudu, as well as ALL of the animals seen, during the thick-of-the=present drought, were all in excellent shape / condition; DSC_0210.jpg (92.36 KiB) Viewed 3834 times

: this was during a quick lunch-break, in the Halali waterhole, within a short-walk from our campsite (max 10 min) = 59x elephants, apart from the dozens of Impala & Kudu; DSC_0212.jpg (67.19 KiB) Viewed 3834 times

: the first day at camp Kwando (Caprivi) - Kwando River (the dry skin itches were eased, at least); DSC_0231.jpg (61.66 KiB) Viewed 3834 times

: we chose a private campsite, with own ablutions - built of branch-fenced, open aired structure. The sky / star topped, showers in the evenings were FANTASTIC ... :-); DSC_0235.jpg (84.96 KiB) Viewed 3834 times

: even the toilet area was "well ventilated" ... Lol; DSC_0236.jpg (74.42 KiB) Viewed 3834 times

: the communal lounge area was plush, comfortable and very pleasant for a "sundowner", in the late afternoon, with the setting sun; DSC_0257.jpg (61.45 KiB) Viewed 3834 times

: our first "Makoro" boat ride ... luckily uniterrupted by any Hippos. The canoe's "skipper" was a very pleasant and knowledgeable Angolan, called Agostino; DSC_0263.jpg (55.69 KiB) Viewed 3834 times

: after the dry Etosha, the Caprivi was a haven-of-birdlife. So many of them close enough to photograph - an African Gacana (i believe); DSC_0273.jpg (118.54 KiB) Viewed 3834 times

: one of the many Bee-eaters, caught-in-the-act, with lunch; DSC_0292.jpg (44.9 KiB) Viewed 3834 times

: the "local" water-residents, Hippos, which I heard later, roam inbetween the campsites in the evenings ...; DSC_0328.jpg (40.42 KiB) Viewed 3834 times

Cont'd on Part 3

Posted: **16 Jul 2013 08:22**

: DSC_0344.jpg (134.08 KiB) Viewed 3833 times

: DSC_0347.jpg (70.08 KiB) Viewed 3833 times

: one of the 4x Kingfisher species seen that morning.... this was the male (of a pair) that was permanently "stationed at our campsite, and made their daily appearances, as soon as the lawn sprinkler was turned on; DSC_0361.jpg (64.59 KiB) Viewed 3833 times

: a "young" Boabab, with SWAMBO posing, for a size-comparison; DSC_0365.jpg (111.98 KiB) Viewed 3833 times

: decent photo opportunities abounded; DSC_0371.jpg (47.82 KiB) Viewed 3833 times

: this was a praying mantis, which I still want TO IDENTIFY. Photographed while in the shower ... !!; DSC_0373.jpg (82.69 KiB) Viewed 3833 times

: many of you will remember this "old chap" from ARMY DAYS..... it worked so well too...; DSC_0403.jpg (75.2 KiB) Viewed 3833 times

: an evening "sundowner" boat ride; GOPR0025.jpg (40.11 KiB) Viewed 3833 times

: one of the many beautiful Quiver trees; DSC_0411.jpg (91.38 KiB) Viewed 3833 times

: oooops...almost forgot... one of the Etosha's "friendly" squirrels ( Halali ), which wouldn't "take NO" for an answer, while we had breakfast; IMG_3492.jpg (65 KiB) Viewed 3833 times

: ...and another of Halali's locals, which gave SWAMBO & I, a fright at our evening braai... they don't scare and go "where they please"... including "raiding anyone's unsecured" food supply; IMG_3514.jpg (78.95 KiB) Viewed 3833 times

: the last evening in "paradise" - CAPRIVI; IMG_3526.jpg (53.02 KiB) Viewed 3833 times

Posted: **16 Jul 2013 08:33**

Very nice pic's Nino. Looks like great fun. I need to get out more!!!

Posted: **16 Jul 2013 08:38**

Nino,

Great pics.

AIR helpers do wonders when loaded up. Do not see many taking pics of our feathered friends, great job.

Posted: **16 Jul 2013 08:43**

Thank you for sharing Nino.

Posted: **16 Jul 2013 08:58**

WOW !!! looks AWESOME !!!

By the way..... ( off topic ) .....I take it you got sorted with Nissan???

Posted: **16 Jul 2013 09:20**

Hello Nino,

Thanks for the report! I'm envious to say the least. I am saving up my leave for a good extended overland trip, hence can you perhaps shed some light on a few questions for me:

Etosha: How simple is the booking process and does SADEC citizens get a discounted rate? How long in advance do one need to book and what is the availability like.

Campsites (in and outside of Etosha): Can you perhaps makes us a list of the campsites you stayed at and rate them 1-5 quality and 1-5 value for money.

Roads & vehicle: Does one really benefit from taking a patro up there? Was there any place you couldn't get to if you were not driving a Patrol? Question being fuel is a big expense and one can half that cost by driving a diesel 2x4 bakkie derivative or even more if driving a platkar.

Then, did you cross the now widened bridge over the Okavango at near Bagani, not too far from Pupa Falls? Did you take any pictures?

Regards and thanks for giving us a short work-time holiday with the pics!

Marnus

Posted: **16 Jul 2013 09:57**

THANKS ... Marinus, John, Grant, Cedric & Marnus ... for the "thanks / compliments"...

Nissan Patrol 4x4 (Africa)

From CT to Etosha to Caprivi & back June'13 - Part 1

From CT to Etosha to Caprivi & back June'13 - Part 1

Re: From CT to Etosha to Caprivi & back June'13 - Part 1

Re: From CT to Etosha to Caprivi & back June'13 - Part 2

Re: From CT to Etosha to Caprivi & back June'13 - Part 3

Re: From CT to Etosha to Caprivi & back June'13 - Part 1

Re: From CT to Etosha to Caprivi & back June'13 - Part 1

Re: From CT to Etosha to Caprivi & back June'13 - Part 1

Re: From CT to Etosha to Caprivi & back June'13 - Part 1

Re: From CT to Etosha to Caprivi & back June'13 - Part 1

Re: From CT to Etosha to Caprivi & back June'13 - Part 1