Good bye Zimbabwe hello Botswana. No air travel today - our transfer was completed in three different vehicles. I am not sure why so many changes, but that seems to be the way of it. In Kasane we were picked up by the Lodge driver along with Sue and Ian from England who were then with us on all the game drives and meals. We became fast friends in a few days. With a small number of guests at the Lodge (17, I think) we enjoyed many conversations with people from Australia, Scotland, and the US. It's a great part of traveling.
We ate a hasty lunch about 3 P.M. and set off afterwards for our first game drive. Our driver, Bee, was passionate about his land and very knowledgeable about all the animals and the ecosystem. A rather serious young man, I liked seeing him smile when we made a joke. A little challenge to understand him, but you do get used to the cadence and pronunciation.
The Lodge was a short drive from Chobe National Park and the game drives were on sand tracks in 9 passenger vehicles. Those in the back seat had a particularly challenging go of it through the bumps and potholes and we were all airborne a few times.
Because we were at the beginning of spring, the animals had to make their way to the Chobe River to drink and many swim daily to a large island for the tender grass still available there. It was interesting to see so many species there going about their business in harmony. We could take a lesson.
Bee had ambitious plans for the 6 of us the following day. Up at 5:30 A.M., a bit of coffee and toast, and then off for the entire day. Later, we'd eat a packed breakfast and then have a several hour boat ride on the River with a picnic lunch. Back to the Land Rover for an afternoon game drive and then home. We started driving to the east side of the Park in hopes of seeing the big cats. Bee was determined and he made it happen. First, lions and then a leopard! The leopard, especially, is rarely seen so this was truly special. Visitors are not allowed to leave their vehicles or the sandy track and this leopard was sleeping under a bush some 100 yards away from the road. Dear Bee took off toward the bush and said I am counting to three!! He did, we got our photos, and back we went on track.
We stopped for breakfast at a place close to the river that had toilets, concrete tables and benches, and LOTS of monkeys. They are opportunistic creatures as we found out when Sue was holding a sausage up to her mouth only to have it snatched from her hand by a leaping monkey in less than 2 seconds. She gave a scream as did the monkey.
The boat ride on the river was a highlight as we saw hundreds of elephants, many crossing from the mainland to the island for food. Whole herds would cross with the matriarch leading the way where the water was shallow so they could have their feet on the bottom. The little ones were placed between the adults to benefit from a push-pull and the occasional grasping of an adult tail for more speed since the babies were often under water. We were so close to these huge animals that it was a bit daunting. We also had to concern ourselves with the hippos who, when we got too close to their territory, would rear up and bellow and even give chase!
We were starting to sag a bit by the afternoon game drive but Bee persisted until the grand finale - a whole pride of lions resting in what Bee described as their 5-star hotel, large bushes affording great shade for their siestas. The male was surrounded by his harem and babies and even woke up to yawn for us. Back to the lodge about 6 P.M. for a much-needed shower before dinner. Bee is the man!
We ate a hasty lunch about 3 P.M. and set off afterwards for our first game drive. Our driver, Bee, was passionate about his land and very knowledgeable about all the animals and the ecosystem. A rather serious young man, I liked seeing him smile when we made a joke. A little challenge to understand him, but you do get used to the cadence and pronunciation.
The Lodge was a short drive from Chobe National Park and the game drives were on sand tracks in 9 passenger vehicles. Those in the back seat had a particularly challenging go of it through the bumps and potholes and we were all airborne a few times.
Because we were at the beginning of spring, the animals had to make their way to the Chobe River to drink and many swim daily to a large island for the tender grass still available there. It was interesting to see so many species there going about their business in harmony. We could take a lesson.
Bee had ambitious plans for the 6 of us the following day. Up at 5:30 A.M., a bit of coffee and toast, and then off for the entire day. Later, we'd eat a packed breakfast and then have a several hour boat ride on the River with a picnic lunch. Back to the Land Rover for an afternoon game drive and then home. We started driving to the east side of the Park in hopes of seeing the big cats. Bee was determined and he made it happen. First, lions and then a leopard! The leopard, especially, is rarely seen so this was truly special. Visitors are not allowed to leave their vehicles or the sandy track and this leopard was sleeping under a bush some 100 yards away from the road. Dear Bee took off toward the bush and said I am counting to three!! He did, we got our photos, and back we went on track.
We stopped for breakfast at a place close to the river that had toilets, concrete tables and benches, and LOTS of monkeys. They are opportunistic creatures as we found out when Sue was holding a sausage up to her mouth only to have it snatched from her hand by a leaping monkey in less than 2 seconds. She gave a scream as did the monkey.
The boat ride on the river was a highlight as we saw hundreds of elephants, many crossing from the mainland to the island for food. Whole herds would cross with the matriarch leading the way where the water was shallow so they could have their feet on the bottom. The little ones were placed between the adults to benefit from a push-pull and the occasional grasping of an adult tail for more speed since the babies were often under water. We were so close to these huge animals that it was a bit daunting. We also had to concern ourselves with the hippos who, when we got too close to their territory, would rear up and bellow and even give chase!
We were starting to sag a bit by the afternoon game drive but Bee persisted until the grand finale - a whole pride of lions resting in what Bee described as their 5-star hotel, large bushes affording great shade for their siestas. The male was surrounded by his harem and babies and even woke up to yawn for us. Back to the lodge about 6 P.M. for a much-needed shower before dinner. Bee is the man!
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