Our adventure had begun two sunsets prior at Onguma Tented Camp, a seamless blend of elegance and wilderness. An introductory game drive on the reserve yielded a completely unexpected delight. I am not sure if it was us or our guide who was most surprised when we spotted a leopard barely ten minutes into our journey. Hiding among the thick bush close to the road, the spotted feline surreptitiously peered at us through thorny branches before darting off towards thicker cover. It had been months since the guides could claim a leopard sighting on a reserve drive. That first night, under the vast sky at the edge of a large clearing, we dined al fresco while Etosha’s white pan glimmered in the distance. Over dinner, the reserve manager shared harrowing tales from the front lines of conservation, where protecting the reserve’s prized rhinos meant constant vigilance and confrontations with poachers – a testament to the fierce, and never-ending, battle between preservation and extinction.

The following morning we trekked through the bush on a guided nature walk, our senses tuned to the subtle wonders of the ecosystem all around. Our knowledgeable guide, Victor, teaches us about the delicate interplay of flora and fauna. The morning’s wild sojourn culminates in breakfast in the bush, accompanied by the cheerful clinking of mimosas – a perfect start to the day.