My heart was thumping as I sipped a glass of wine right next to a pride of five large, powerful lions. Dusk was settling, the temperature was dropping and the cats were restless, starting to think about a snack, and here we were, sitting in an open Land Rover looking just like five tasty hors d’oeuvres.
We were in Ongava Game Reserve, bordering Namibia’s world-renowned Etosha National Park. Earlier we had watched a herd of desert elephants amble along a dry, dusty riverbed. An ostrich raced across the sparse landscape. Three white rhinos foraged, huge and ponderous. Zebras, a tangle of attractive black-and-white patterns, drank at a water hole next to springbok and oryx.
Namibia, Africa’s third largest country and sparsely inhabited, is making a strong case for becoming the go-to country for seeing big game. It hasn't been easy for exotic animals, such as rhinos and elephants, were being decimated by hunting, but progressive anti-poaching and rhino translocation programs have made a big difference. Elegant safari camps offer fascinating views of lions, cheetahs, rhinoceroses, giraffes, kudu, oryx and much more.
Best of all, the Namibian people are friendly and travel is safe.
*** To learn more about this amazing country and see over 130 colour photos, view my on-line book
Impressions of Namibia at:
http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/2881752 ***
General info on Namibia: http://www.namibatourism.com.na/
Wilderness Safaris operates lodges throughout southern Africa with 18 camps in Namibia: http://www.wilderness-safaris.com/
Travel Beyond makes bookings for Wilderness Safaris in North America: www.travelbeyond.com
Namibia Tracks & Trails makes travel and accommodation arrangements throughout Namibia: www.namibia-tracks-and-trails.com
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