Just Another Day in Namibia :)

Mike and I went for a walk through a nice neighborhood to the trail head to the mountains on the outskirts of the city. After walking about 5 minutes away from the houses, views of the city were available. Upon arrival of the first peak, one could see 365 degrees. Because it was a clear day, we could see the entire city including downtown, informal settlements, the dam, and where Mike lives. Walking on a jeep trail lead to the second peak. Well, after a little bushwacking.  It is always neat to be high and see out a long ways.

After lunch at home, Mike, two of the German girls, and I piled into the car to see some cheetahs and leopards. Mike and I had wanted to go to another reserve where you are able to walk with cheetahs. It did not work out, so at the suggestion of a coworker we went to Dustenbrook. We turned off the paved highway onto well maintained, level, gravel road. According to the signs we had 18km to travel on this road. Following the signs and opening/closing gates behind us, we made our way. We saw a sign that said “Turn right to avoid water obstacle.” Thinking it had not rained much lately, how much water could there be? We passed two families of warthogs and mongoose before coming to the water.

Another driver in a sedan got out of his car and threw rocks in strategic places to determine the water was indeed too deep to drive across with a car. After backtracking to the sign, Mike carefully navigated rough terrain including sand, rocks, gravel, up and down hills to bring us safely to the lodge in a sedan.

After waiting a little while, nine guests piled into the open air safari vehicle for our tour. We quickly arrived at an enclosure. Upon driving in, the leopard was seen walking through the tall dry grass towards the vehicle. The driver began throwing meat for the leopard to jump up and catch. The driver said that Rex, the leopard, was raised here from 3 months old. Although he was trained to put on a show, it was very neat to see one so close (5-10 meters away).

We left Rex to visit some of his neighbors, two female cheetahs. The driver had formed a relationship with these two as well. Although he respects they are still wild cats, the guide is able to pet one on the head. One even came into the front seat of the vehicle. Amazing to see them so close even though they are trained.

Things I learned: Cheetahs only hunt during the day because they cannot see well at night. Cheetahs only see in black and white

Cheetahs are skinny naturally.

Leopards are stately and elegant.

Leopard: Expect for their first year of life, leopards live solo. There cannot be two in the same territory.  

On the way home, we saw baboons, Oryx, kudu, warthogs, and several large birds. It was quite the adventure getting there and back with a fun tour in between.  

We quickly changed clothes in order to attend a party celebrating a missionary’s 20^th anniversary of being in Namibia. To my surprise, I knew quite a few people there. Some from SIM, some from the seminary NETs, and the German girls. There were some new people as well who are missionaries.

A full, but great day.