CHOBE LODGE

Hans and Wimcar suggest we go and visit different Lodges, drink a beer and make our decision for the next 10 days. We went for Cappuccino's at Chobe Safari Lodge. This has been Hans and Elisme's favorite spot 15 years ago. Hans coming back from Uganda. The Wi-fi needs no password. Photo's send easy.

We meet Rudolf, Diana ( she looks like the princess, who's name she is sharing) Ferry and Madelein - all from Brandfort in the Freestate. 

  

They asked Hans to arrange that they can join us on our Zambezi boat trip.

Lunch was so well prepared and excellent presented. The wine was helping to put us in the right mood for the coming boat trip.

Extra ice and cocktails on the boot, we meet our Captain - Stephen. A well knowledge guide. He entertained us with facts about the Kubu island. World court decision in DenHagen in Netherland, gave it to Botswana. Reason the water depth deeper on Namibian side.

The difference between the Red Letschwe and Puku. Black lines on their hind legs, on the front side, different type of horns.

Two Hippo's mating, a first for Elisme to see, as well as a baby Crocodile swimming on the island side.

A sunset the most beautiful for this trip. Elephants walking out of the water on to the grass, while the sun sets behind them in a red fire ball. We all had goose pimples. This is a once in a lifetime sighting.  Next to us was a boat with students doing a photography coarse. They couldn't believe their luck. Cameras with lenses as bazooka.  

As the sunset and the Elephants wave goodbye with their tails and trunks,  we set of to the Jetty. 

We won the race.

16 September Wednesday we left, driving through Chobe to Mwani View Camp.

Elephants, Kudu, Zebra, Ostricts, Roan Antelope. Per square meter Park Chobe has the most elephants. They don't kill the trees, they only eat the branches.

Mwani Camp is a new one, Anton and Daan is still busy with the last finishes. 

The swimming pool was so inviting, Wimcar and Hans endured the freezing water. Cooling of the 32 degrees outside. Brand new top of the range ablution facility's , steaming hot water. Green grass on each camping site.  A platter with cold meats, cheese, biscuits, fruit and ice cold wine and sparkling water. Can life get better? 

 Africa's sunsets words is hard to find, all we felt in ourselves were a gratefulness, how privilege we're. Wimcar, Nellie, Hans and Elisme sitting at their fire, watching the sunset, a half bow moon appears ( sekel maan) just where the sun went down. 

As the sun moved further on it circle away from us, darkness cover the earth with its cloth. Millions of stars appear shining like diamonds. Wimcar always the thinker, remarked: " nothing change in our 100 year life time. Although things change, we're not long enough on earth to see it"

A Leopard was in distress close to our camp. We couldn't see it.

Elisme woke up with 6 heavy rifle gunshots. Hans and Elisme thought it must be poachers of Elephants?   

Thursday we entered the Savuti part of Chobe at the Ghoha gate. The Park is fully booked but we got 3 nights at Khwai Community Camp. 

Swaying and swinging on a 140 km. Road we left the Chobe. Saw an giant Roan, a very white Giraffe, Elephants in a good condition and Blue Wilde bees looking for shade under the trees. 

43km to Khwai - a deep sandy bumpy road, all the way to the Khwai. Our worth while magnificent shady trees, just as magnificent,  2 giant elephants keeping our camp site for us! This is real bush camp, no facilities and no water. 

Last Night we were entertained by a orchestra of Hyena songs. Hans read in his Wildlife Reference book, hyenas can make 14 different sound. We were delighted to hear many of them.

The Khwai River with its  bird life of abandons. Park  like special spots, lushes green grass and waterlilies. We had coffee and brunch, everything just taste exquisite in such an environment. 

Always there was and Elephants and Hippo to join in the feast.

 Gosh hawk and Fish eagle on the water were eager on lookers.

Friday evening as we were having a lovely Dinner, table laid for a King and cuisine good for the best French. The Hippo came  out of the water, 20m from us. Then 3 young hyenas decided to  come and investigate what is going on in their territory. Just as Nellie and Wimcar was getting ready to go to bed. Nellie did the Polka dance while brushing here teeth. Wimcar wanted to do his last bush round had to walk backwards and watched. Hans and Elisme already in bed had a good laugh, while the hyena's just continue undisturbed on their mission. 

12:00 o'clock at the Khwai River a glass of sparkling water in crystal glass, video ready, bath time for hundreds of elephants. What a delight watching them, playing games with each other. We drove 11 km along the river and all along there where elephants. I wonder is this a elephant migration, from the one side of the Khwai to the other side?

One brave Giraffe thought it safe to come for a drink. The temperature now 40 degrees. Thanks to  air-con    Vehicles.

Photo ( giraffe )

Hans as always saw the game viewing vehicles moving back. He thought its the 80 Buffalo's we saw crossing the river. This time it was a Leopard drinking water. No difference in the behavior of the drivers of game viewing vehicles. No respect for any other Park Visitors they just push forward, weather right in front  of anybody's view.

Saturday late afternoon our Elephant visit was 5 meters behind Nellie and Elisme - having their coffee. That was the closest they've every been to an Elephant without any vehicle protection.  Slowly they moved away seeking cover behind the Landy. The Elephant was paying no attention to them, just enjoying the sweet young leaves of the trees.

Dinner of Ribeye steak by candle light, music the Hippo choir 20 meters from the table. Genet and Hyena incisively coming in the light to  see what is going on. Satisfied turn round and disappeared in the dark, the way they came.

Once again as sooo many-times on this trip, we realize! The animal world open there territory for human-beans. They're prepared to live in peace and harmony with us.

Sunday morning we left. We drove all along the Khwai. Mr. Hawk eyes (Hans) spotted  a Lioness lying next to a bush. With closer investigation we saw here  morning catch ( a Impala) neatly hidden between the branches.

We came to the Khwai river crossing to enter the Moremi. 

Hans once again as always checked. He decided to go!! Then the water was right over the bonnet of the Landy. Nellie en Wimcar just watching. As we stopped across, Elisme opened her door and water was running out from everywhere.  Wimcar came over: "FOK!  Hans hier gaan ek nie deur kom nie" (SORRY). He said they thought the Landy was going to disappear completely under the water.  As the Landy subsided like a U-boat under the water,  away for a moment then emerging on the other side. A scary moment. Thanks the river bed was hard. Else the 3,9 ton Landy would've been berried! As Hans will say SALUTE THE LANDY!

They got a alternative crossing.

                           We all agree the Kwhai Park has more animals then the Moremi.

We have now 14,000 km on the clock.

Kiziikini Camp a community campsite 27 km from Moreni Gate was our over night stop. Canvas Ablution clean with hot water showers was a bonus tonight.

On the coals tonight was 500 gm T bones. Hans choice Portuguese steak, egg and chips.

Our only company tonight was the song of the Nightjar and the Pearly spotted Owl. With that we went to bed, only to be awaken by 2 visitors. A Honey-bagger and Big Hyena coming to check if everything was in order. Satisfied with their findings.

Early morning the Guineafowl and Red-billed Spurfowl were practicing their morning songs.  So different to the noise we wake up with at home.

Today we'll head to Maun.