After a safari drive to the Chapman's baobab with a newly arrived and very excited German family on their first safari we had to sadly pack up and fly out.
Chapman's baobab is an enormous tree with markings from the early explorers showing they had been there. It was on the old track between Cape Town and Cairo - a daunting trek. In the tree was a hole used as mail box - albeit a local had marked it with the word 'male' - an easy mistake!
We said our goodbyes and headed to the airstrip, with the pilot who had overnighted with us. Once in Maun we went to the Wilderness office and awaited our 2.15 flight to the Jao Concession in the delta. I was able to catch up with some emails which was handy before heading back into a world without internet.
After one stop we arrived at our airstrip and were met by Gibson, our guide, and Jade one of the managers - who was in need of a trip from the small island where Pelo camp is situated. After a short drive we got on a boat for our 45 minute trip to camp - the water in the delta is still rising as it makes it's way from the Angolan highlands and is not due to peak until July/August. It was crystal clear and not very deep - you could easily see the bottom in most places. We wended our way through reeds, around floating islands of pampas grasses and across areas full of water lilies ( some open in the day - others at night - for pollination; once pollinated they turn from white to blue). We saw malachite and pied kingfishers, reed cormorants and lots of darters before arriving at the newly opened camp to be greeted by 8 lovely staff who would be pampering us, as we are the only guests, for the next 3 nights.
After dumping our bags and a quick afternoon tea we went out on the boat again.......but not before seeing the much sought after Pels fishing owl who is nesting right outside our tent! ( the two ladies from Canada we met in Tau Pan were heading to the delta to look for this owl - I am sure they would be envious!)
After a hour on the water we returned - as you have to be back in camp by 6.30pm i.e. before dark and before the hippos come out of the water. On our trip we saw a lovely sunset and the big bull elephant, who has been around eating the palm fruits for the last week, crossing between islands.
This is a lovely idyllic location - we ended the day with dinner overlooking the water - our favourite - roast - and for me all the vegetables and no meat!
Our heads hit the pillow as just after 8.30pm and we were asleep as they touched - travelling and hot sun are soporific.