The Etjo (English: Mount Etjo) is a table mountain about 70 km south of Otjiwarongo and 35 km east of Kalkfeld. The summit plateau of the Etjo reaches a height of 2,086 m at its highest point, the mountain towers over the surrounding area by about 500 m. The ten-kilometer-long ridge line is interrupted by a small depression, which divides the summit into two unequal plateaus of about 5 km² and 3.5 km².
For the Hereros, the Etjo is the mountain with the most myths (according to the motto: people feel "closer to heaven" on the mountain) and, alongside the Brandberg massif, has a special significance in Namibia: "Etjo" means "protection" in Otjiherero. In the late 19th century, the summit plateau was a refuge and sanctuary during conflicts with German colonialists.
Namibia Slideshow 8: Mount Etjo from Joerg on Video.
Today starts very early as we have signed up for a morning game drive across the 350 km² area. This starts after a quick breakfast at sunrise at 7:00 a.m. in an open 4x4 and we are glad we have wrapped up warm. Shortly after leaving the area we are very lucky and see the first wild animals. In addition to the usual suspects such as giraffe, springbok, oryx, waterbuck, zebra and others, we see some animals that are new to us. We have the opportunity to observe eagles and vultures, blesbok (bontebok, even an albino of this species), nyala, sable antelope, white-tailed wildebeest and rock hyrax. Along with a rhino with its calf, these make the trip a complete success and after 4 hours we are back in the lodge for a lunch break.
We then spend the afternoon in the gardens and at the pool, but the arrival of a large group of German/Austrian tourists initially disturbs the peace. Luckily, after coffee and cake, they are already setting off on their afternoon game drive and the complex suddenly becomes an oasis in the middle of the savannah again. We use this to write our diaries and postcards and enjoy a sundowner at the waterhole.
Dinner is uneventful, but there is no campfire. Perhaps this is because the Teutonic tour group would not have found space at one. Today we end the evening with Boerewurst made from blesbok, smoked pork and sable antelope fillet from the grill - this is not suitable for losing weight, especially since the side dishes are again numerous and unusual: Millipap, eggplant casserole, mashed potatoes with cheese and cream (Etjo Surprise) and various other vegetables.
English 
German