21st September 2009

After breakfast we crossed the border into Botswana and headed to Kasane where we set up camp on the banks of the Chobe River. Immigration only took about 5 minutes. We had to walk through a foot and mouth dip and the truck drove through a dip also. Tried to cash some money in Kasane (the teller was just walking around, made himself a coffee, drank it, then served me).

The Chobe River forms a border between Botswana, Namibia and Zambia. Chobe National Park is the second biggest in Botswana covering an area of 10566 km². and is renowned for its large herds of elephants. Garry, Betty, Jenny and I went on a Sleep Out in the National Park. We were picked up by our truck and taken on a safari through the National Park. Richard was our guide. The animals were amazing. Impala, Giraffes, Vultures, Elephants, Egyptian Geese, Hammercooks, Spoonbills, Yellow BIll Storks, Hippos, Warthogs, Black Winged Stilts, Common Sandpipers, Storks, Crocodiles, White Faced Ducks, Eagles, Kudus, Guinea Fowls, Squirrels, Brown Hornbills, Baboons, Buffalo, Grey Bustard, Hyenas, Zebras, Black Storks, and Lions . Our campsite was lovely. The tents had lanterns outside, we had a dining table (table cloth and all). The meals were good also.

22nd September 2009

We headed out on another safari at 6am where we came across herds of elephants. We also saw our first leopard at close range. He was sitting up a tree and across from him were Lioness's, cubs and a Lion. At 9.30am we went back to our overnight camp and were surprised with a full English Breakfast!!! After breakfast we headed back to base camp and passed where Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton were married on the river. We also saw Antelopes, Sabels, Barded Mongooses and a Water Monitor Lizard. Back at base camp we freshened up and went on a magnificent sunset cruise on the Chobe River. Watching the animals coming down to drink at the waters edge was a unique experience.