Celebrating Etosha
Etosha National Park in Namibia is the perfect year-round destination, with each season having its particular charm and beauty. It is one of Africa’s top safari destinations and a photographer’s dream – probably one of the best places in Africa to photograph wildlife, whether you’re a beginner or an expert. Elephants, zebras, black and white rhinos, lions, leopards, cheetahs, herds of springbok, giraffe, and wildebeest all call Etosha home in plentiful numbers. The landscapes are also spectacularly photogenic with wide, vast vistas, and barren salt pans under stunning blue skies. In this gallery we are celebrating Etosha in all its glory with a selection of some incredible photos taken by Simone Basini – a guide, wildlife photographer, and a Photographer of the Year competition entrant – from his time spent in Etosha.
? “During the dry season elephants travel long distances to reach the water. The excitement of this herd is palpable as they approach the Okaukuejo waterhole in Etosha National Park.” © Simone Basini
? “These three cheetah cubs were busy learning how to pierce through the thick skin of a black-faced impala (Aepyceros melampus petersi) carcass, while mom was resting close by after the successful hunt.” © Simone Basini
? “This lioness was stalking towards a springbok in the vast open plains of Gemsbokvlakte in Etosha. She was also lactating – a sign that her cubs were probably hidden close by.” © Simone Basini
? “Near the Nebrownii waterhole, an elephant used his foot to pull out a root from the ground. In the dry season, when there is less foliage, elephants tend to eat more stems, barks and roots.” © Simone Basini
? “I took this photographic while en route to Okondeka. The sun was shining, but under the thick cumulonimbus clouds in the distance, you could see the thunderstorm approaching.” © Simone Basini
? “A black rhino pauses while crossing the northern grasslands.” © Simone Basini
? “This lone lioness had a perfect throat clamp on this springbok. It takes exceptional skills to ambush prey in the vast plains of Etosha where there is hardly any cover to hide behind.” © Simone Basini
? “A rare sighting of a bachelor herd of greater kudu out in the open on the banks of the Etosha Pan, on the Onkoshi side. After an exceptionally good rainy season, part of the Etosha Pan becomes a lake once more.” © Simone Basini
? “An adult Damara dik-dik, with a height of just 40cm, is the smallest antelope to be found in Etosha. This photo was taken at sunset close to Klein Namutoni.” © Simone Basini
? “Churning up clouds of dust, these two bulls were so intent on fighting that they paid no attention to the nearby predators.” © Simone Basini
? “Giraffe and ostriches stand tall against the white of the Etosha Pan in the Wolfsnes area.” © Simone Basini
? “This lioness caused all of the animals at the Bitterwater waterhole to scatter when she started to pick up speed.” © Simone Basini
? “Springboks wading at Chudob waterhole.” © Simone Basini
? “This giraffe took great care to make sure that there were no predators nearby before she splayed her legs to reach for the water – this is the most vulnerable moment for a giraffe.” © Simone Basini
? “On the edge of the Etosha Pan, a small group of wildebeest appeared as if they were suspended in time.” © Simone Basini
? “These two black rhinos’ reflection was in near symmetrical perfection, and lasted for only a few seconds.” © Simone Basini
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