Ban this Bus Driver!

Day 10 Monday 10th March 2008
In Etosha National Park, from Namutoni to Halali

Having been told that I have too many words and not enough pictures, I'll keep it brief - except for the rant that will follow shortly!

Namutoni has a fort, built originally by the Germans in the 1800's, and now restored and revived as used as a central point by the Reserve. They have a smart walkway up to the fort, and the interior has been utilised for various shops and a restaurant. On the upper wall of the fort is a viewing deck where you can look out over the water hole which is floodlit at night. Unfortunately, a huge bank of reeds blocks the view, but I don't know if it is just there due to it being the rainy season.

The camp rangers told us that most of the animals were in the Namutoni region, so we started off at Fishers Pan before driving down to Halali.

There were several herds of zebra, wildebeest and other buck on the way to the pan, a lot of them really close to the road so we got some good pictures. Simon watched me snapping away for a while, and then obviously got bored, so started making a grunting sound, similar to a hippo grunting in the water. Well! The zebras and wildebeest were all unhappy about it, but the wildebeest really didn't like it at all! Two of them came charging at the car, and then stopped short and looked at Simon! We couldn't figure their reaction at all, and Simon thought it was a great joke.

Further along on our way to the pan we came across a huge herd of elephant having a ball in the river! They would walk around, splashing as much as they could, and there was a lot of trumpeting and squealing! The adults kicked and splashed with legs and trunks, and the baby elephants ran around and generally got in the way.

All of the elephants were rolling in the mud and getting themselves thoroughly coated in the gooey mess. A whole herd of white elephants! LOL They were having a marvellous time!

To our surprise, all the elephants came out of the water and crossed the road to an ant heap on the side. They rubbed over the ant heap, using their trunks and legs, even climbing up onto it. What was the attraction? They didn't seem to be eating the sand, but they were all congregated around the mound, and it was quite "polished" when they were finished.

We must have watched them for about half an hour, following them slowly, trying not to disturb them at all. We made sure to stay just as far back as necessary so as not to bother them. They were not able to enjoy their peace for very long! In the distance we heard a low rumble, which grew to the roar of a bus engine being driven very fast. Then this idiot in this bus (click on the photo to get an enlarged view of the number plate)












drove right up to the elephants, crossing in front of us and blocking our view.

The elephants were extremely unhappy about this and moved off. The jackass bus driver (you're an idiot!!!) immediately followed, driving right up to them again. The elephants moved further on, and the dumbass in the driver's seat chased them again! We couldn't believe that a registered tour operator would behave so badly! The elephants eventually fled into the interior, away from the water. Two of the young bulls were extremely upset, lots of trumpeting and running around. We were concerned there would be an incident, but a large matriarch came back and herded them off with the others. That bus driver should be banned. I understand he has to please his tourists to get his tip, but this kind of harassment of animals should be forbidden!

Okay, rant over. Here are the photos you asked for, Candice!