Namibia & SA - November

You are unlikely to see the big 5 in Etosha, but you will see a lot of game. There are no Buffalo, and leopard pretty elusive. Try Kruger or elsewhere in SA.

I was there 2 Novembers ago, and saw 18 lions in a morning, plus lots of other game. It rained as we left Etosha and people going there the following day (in the opposite direction) would have struggled to see much.

But no-one can say exactly when or where it will rain. We were at a neighbouring property, Hobatere, and saw tons of game, yet could see the rain clouds over in Etosha. But Hobatere was dry. Actually it was the last week of October, and that rainfall was early.

I should point out that I had been to Etosha 3 times previously and had seen precisely NO lions in those visits. In fact, of the Big 5, I only saw elephants. Wasn't disappointed, though!

A lot is down to luck and how observant you are. However, I would say Etosha is probably one of the best places for unlucky or unobservant people to go.

You can sit at waterhole reading a paper and just watch the procession of animals come dome 24 hours a day.

peterscot,

Thanks a lot for your info. I would hope that I wouldn't be disappointed either! But appreciate that we have no control on the weather or the animals!

I don't think I saw any cats in Etosha either, although I did see some rhino- they came to the waterhole at one of the campsites one night.

If you're going to South Africa, Kruger is your best bet for the big 5.

Weather in November in theory ought not to be a problem: the rains shouldn't arrive until December at the earliest. Since it's toward the end of the dry season you might I suppose have a better chance of seeing game gathering at the waterholes.

What you will depends on sheer luck in a lot of cases. Last time I was there (Dec 06) we saw lion, elephant, rhino and leopard, all within 24 hours. Although traditionally elusive, the leopard in question was sitting on the branch of a tree, not 10 feet from the roadside, in full view just sitting there, taking it easy. Having got bored with being gawped at by tourists, after about 20 mins it then decided to stretch its legs and so set off for a leisurely stroll, again in full view by the roadside. Having decided that the day's show was over, after about another 10 minutes it buggered off into the bush.

As I say, just pot luck. Sometimes you're just in the right place at the right time.