February 14 - 15, 2014 - Chobe, Botswana

The point that Africa is a very enormous continent is driven home each time we travel from one spot to another. It took us about 4 hours, first with a driver delivering us along with three other couples to the Zambezi River customs crossing point where we boarded a boat and were shuttled across the river into Botswana. Our crossing process was rather fast compared to the one week transport truck drivers may have to wait to get through customs and cross the ferry, only one truck at a time. One would think this could be managed in a better way. They say a new bridge is to begin construction in March but then the locals say that's been the news for several years.

We met our new guide on the other side of the river who drove us for another few hours to Kasane and on to Munchenge Lodge. We were greeted with a nice hot lunch (they feed us way too well on these excursions!), had an hour to get settled in and then we were off on our first game drive. The drive vehicles here are open air, 9-seat, former-military Range Rovers converted for safari game drives. They can climb hills, drive through deep gullies, over small trees, through deep mud holes and keep on going. When it rains, and it did on our first drive, the guide pulls out heavily lined water-proof ponchos. Mine covered me totally, from head to toe. Warm and dry, I was glad to have it. Chobe Game Reserve is huge like Serengeti, but the landscape is very different. There are many more trees, hills and rivers. The grass is tall and green as it is the beginning of the rainy season. It is truly very pretty and reminds of us some USA country sides.

On that first drive we became acquainted with our drive mates, a Dutch couple and a couple from just outside London. Strangers we were then, but after that drive and the all-day drive the next day, we were intimate friends - I mean, girls took a potty break on the right hand side of the truck and boys took the left. I'm still not sure of everyone's names . . . we had Gary and Karen from London and Chris and his wife from the Netherlands, but Chris' wife spoke only very little English and her first name was very Dutch and difficult to understand. We managed by not speaking each other's names but we liked each other all the same. We also got to know our assigned guide, Synech.

We saw Elephants, Giraffes, Impalas, Wart Hogs, Baboons, Kudu, Sable and tons of beautiful birds. We arrived back at camp about 7 pm for happy hour, dinner, refreshing shower and BED. It was a long day; I just did not comprehend long, though, until the next day. We left at 10 am and did not return until 7:30 pm. This full-day drive was one of the big highlights of our trip. After the long woodland drive, on rutted dirt roads with animal sightings of elephants, giraffes and the ever present impalas on the way, we boarded a boat for a cruise down the Chobe River. What a thrill! The river venue allows a close up encounter with the animals. First thing we saw was a crocodile. Later we saw more lurking along the bank and were finally shocked when we found a rather giant croc on the Namibia side, dead. Botswana people are not allowed to fish the river, but the Namibians can. When a fisherman meets with a croc, he might kill it . . . with a spear. That was the fate of this poor old fellow--our guide estimated he might have been 30 to 40 years old when he died.

Yes, the Chobe River is the Northern border between Botswana and Namibia. It is strange to look out across the valley across the river and see the next country.

We saw herds and herds of elephants, . Some were splashing in the water, some teaching a baby how to approach the water, some swimming - yes, they are excellent swimmers, and some were thoroughly enjoying a mud bath. Talk about precious!!! I got great photos.

Elephants are very social; they help each other and they greet each other in a warm and friendly way, twisting their trucks gently together! We learned too that elephants are very destructive too. They break down trees they want to eat. They even break down trees they will not eat but to mark territory. They dig great mud wallows. They pull up road signs. Why?? Quite simply, because they can. But they are great fun to watch.

We saw many giraffes and their babies. There were herds and herds of impalas with babies. Impalas give birth twice a year - no wonder there are so many! We had our lunch in the boat along-side a pod of hippos also with babies. We found hippos both in and out of the water - talk about cute, but one must beware. Hippos can charge with no provocation and kill more people than any other African animal. They can stay out of the water only 30 minutes at a time; else their skin dries up and will crack. In the water, they completely submerge and then lift up their heads for a few moments for a fresh breath of air. Their hooded eyes and flickering pointed ears just breaking the surface of the water are such a sight!

We found herds of Cape Buffalo, another group of dangerous animals, grazing on the fresh grass near the river, and a great many aquatic birds, birds of prey, vultures and colorful little song birds and flycatchers.

We searched and searched for a big cat, lion or leopard but no luck.

Dinner was great and the company of so many new friends was a true delight. In the last two days we have learned and laughed very much.