Tag: Wildlife

The Ultimate Etosha National Park Wildlife Viewing Guide

Posted on by Brianna Shade in Namibia, Planning

When we first checked in at the Andersson Gate at the south end of Etosha National Park, the guard thought he misheard when we told him we were planning to camp in the park for six nights.  While much longer than their average visitors (who tend to only spend 3-4 days in the park), we had the luxury of time on our hands.  With that time, we were fortunate enough to discover all the best places in the park to spot the wide variety of wildlife.

And now, we can share that knowledge with you.  Which animals do you most want to find in the park?

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Continue reading “The Ultimate Etosha National Park Wildlife Viewing Guide” →

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Renting a 4×4 Camping Truck in Namibia – Everything You Need to Know

Posted on by Brianna Shade in Namibia

How does one see Namibia?  Full of wildlife, massive sand dunes, and vast distances, there’s really only one way to see it all: renting a car and driving yourself.  Just be prepared to drive on the lefthand side of the roads, and be ready for very little pavement!

But then, where does one stay in this developing country?  You might find some resort-style lodges near the larger towns, but if you’re on a budget like we are, the best option is a campground.  Even in the winter, desert temperatures are mild, and precipitation is nonexistent in such an arid climate.

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As adventure types, we don’t shy away from camping when we travel, but that activity requires quite a bit of specialty equipment – extra gear we didn’t exactly want to lug all the way around the world with us.  Fortunately, there’s a popular solution in Namibia to the needs of both transportation and accommodation.

Hop aboard and see what life was like spending three weeks in our 4×4 camping truck!

Continue reading “Renting a 4×4 Camping Truck in Namibia – Everything You Need to Know” →

Okonjima Nature Reserve – The African Cat Experience

Posted on by Brianna Shade in Namibia, Stories

After six days in Etosha National Park, we failed to spot any big cats – and this was what I had dreamt about when envisioning an African safari!  Therefore, we took matters into our own hands and went to the one place we could guarantee a sighting of these magnificent creatures: Okonjima Nature Reserve.

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Magical Moments in Etosha

Posted on by Aaron Shade in Namibia

Every day in Etosha we saw wild elephants ranging from one to thirty at a time. The youngest were so playful in the waterholes. They would roll around together in the water, and even boldly chase after other animals. We always looked forward to seeing their beauty and grandeur, and each moment with them was special.

While we still have a limited internet connection in Namibia, we are keeping our posts short. Expect more from us in August when we arrive in Europe. See you then!

World Highlights: Our Favorite Costa Rican Animal Encounter

Posted on by Brianna Shade in Costa Rica, Favorites, Stories

Costa Rica is known for their wide array of fauna.  From crocodiles to sloths, birds of every color, bugs, frogs, etc., there’s so much to look at and appreciate.  While we were there, we went on numerous canopy tours and boat rides, all to catch a glimpse at the elusive wildlife.  And Costa Rica delivered.

But which was our favorite animal encounter?

© LotsaSmiles Photography 2017

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Considering Antarctica – Should We Go?

Posted on by Aaron Shade in Country Considerations

While working out our route for the world trip, we are thinking about places near some of our prime destinations. One of which is Patagonia. This will be a highlight on our trip with it’s epic landscapes and wildlife. The hard part is, there is this other continent just to the south that is really tempting us. When a trip is labeled as an expedition, it suddenly becomes the opportunity of a lifetime. Antarctica: should we go?

39985469_ad1114b463_oPhoto by Christopher Michel Creative Commons

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Photostory: Seagull Attack at Kyrping | LotsaSmiles Photography

Posted on by Brianna Shade in Norway, Stories

We’re taking a small break this week, as we were crazy busy preparing for and running our home anime convention, Kumoricon (did you know we’re in charge of the convention’s official video and photography?).  That’s one event we’ll both actually miss considerably next year.  I’ve always said I wouldn’t miss Kumoricon for the world… but that’s precisely what we’ll be doing!

Anyway, we’ll be back next week with some more Florida stories, but in the meantime, enjoy this fun photostory from one of our campgrounds in Norway, Kyrping!

We saw plenty of fauna in Norway (though certainly not as much as in Costa Rica).  And while the species didn’t really surprise us, their behaviors did.  We passed lounging yaks, curious goats, and baying sheep (were we in Norway or Scotland?).  And I was attacked by a seagull.

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Read the full article: Photostory: Seagull Attack at Kyrping | LotsaSmiles Photography

5-Day Backpacking Trip – Brown Bears in Alaska

Posted on by Aaron Shade in Hiking, Photography, Stories, USA

Backpacking will be a part of our world travel adventures in 2019. We dream of hiking El Camino Santiago in Spain and the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu in Peru. While these trails each have their own personality and beauty, taking a bush plane to the middle of nowhere to photograph brown bears is something else entirely. Brianna went to Alaska with 5 other photographers to get right in the heart of bear country hiking along the beach about 150 miles southwest of Anchorage. Continue reading “5-Day Backpacking Trip – Brown Bears in Alaska” →