African elephants

Bachelors at Erindi

Halali Moringa waterhole

In Namibia, self-drive and camping.

As we attempt to leave Erindi Game Reserve on 15th August, a pair of males are taking apart a tree they pushed over at the side of the road.  Vehicles stop and wait for them to move before driving slowly past.





Later in the week, we arrive at Halali Camp in Etosha National Park, just in time to watch Moringa waterhole as dusk falls.

A single male is drinking, but two rhinos approach and wait for him to move.  When he moves away, they take their turn at the waterhole.

Playing at Rietfontein

On 19th August, we see the herd playing at Rietfontein waterhole, all the calves splashing in the water.

They stay here for some time, enjoying themselves, climbing on top of one another and squirting water, rolling around.  Some of the cows join in but they are not all so playful.

Squirts and splashes

Go away

On 20th August, we visit our last waterhole at Okuakuejo where some strange social dynamics are taking place.  The herd have their backs to a single male and are trying to push him away from the group.

He's really persistent and eventually, one of the cows charges and wrestles with him, but he still comes back for more.  Only when the matriarch comes over and nudges him away does he finally leave.

I've told you once already - push off

Not sure if he's a youngster who wants to stay with the hard, but is now too old and needs to fend for himself with the other bachelors, or if he's been attracted by some pheromones and the ladies are protecting their sister from his advances.

Tracking desert elephants

Desert elephants heading into wetlands, Damara region

Volunteering project with EHRA (Elephant Human Relations Aid) in Namibia - we started by painting a dormitory and roads signs for a Damara boarding school, meeting teachers and local children.

Then we went trekking after desert elephants and camping in the bush for a few days.

Road sign - English version

EHRA work with the local Damara community, educating people about the benefits of providing rights of access across the land for herds of elephants (who respect no man-made boundaries).  Volunteering projects offer something back to the villages and farms where elephants have broken fences and knocked down wells.

Cow and calf, Damara region