1 to 8 January, 2020 - Kasane, Chobe National Park, Bwabwata National Park, Divundu - (Botswana, Namibia)
We have spent the first week of 2020 skipping along the northern border of Botswana, crossing in to Namibia's Caprivi Strip. We camped in Chobe National Park, Botswana, and day tripped multiple times in to different zones of Bwabwata National Park, Namibia. We celebrated our 30th wedding anniversary in outstanding luxury with a river view, enjoying 5 course set menu dinners and buffet breakfasts. We cooked pasta on a camp stove gas bottle, T-Bone steak on a braai, and balanced bowls of cereal on our camp chairs, while impalas and giraffes wandered by metres from our set up.
And below is a collection of some of the wildlife we encountered.
An Intimate Moment - Mother and Child
Impalas in Chobe National Park.
Do I Have Another?
"I have a leaf. Now, maybe in this pile, I have another the same." Young baboon in Chobe.
Our First Campsite
Ihaha campsite, Chobe National Park. Our rooftop tent, open and set up.
Breakfast Entertainment
During the morning, the area between our campsite and the river was abuzz with activity. Young impalas played and frolicked, and older ones butted heads. It was great morning entertainment to inspire us for a day of park driving.
We can Share
A fish-eagle and a bee-eater, each scanning for their preferred prey. The eagle watches the nearby water, and the bee-eater darts off and picks moths and beetles out of the air.
Eyes Bigger than his Stomach?
We watched this African Darter for a while, and he was determined to get the whole fish down his throat in one go. It took many manipulations and adjustments, but eventually, after a bit of trimming, he swallowed it.
Zebra
Giraffe
Black-backed Jackal
We saw a few jackals, on this morning. There were two here, walking together, parallel to the road. They had a method to their patrol, with a general direcion, but a small amount of zig zagging. They ignored the antelopes and baboons. We certainly got the impression they were looking for prey, though, not just going somewhere. The light was beautiful, and the yellow flowers added to the scene. It was like we weren't there. Not even ignored as a non-threat; I felt we didn't register to them, and their attention was only on the important things in their world. We were observers only.
Last Photo before I Floored it
We watched this solo bull on the flat. I edged along the road to the closest point we could get, without going off the track. He turned to us and took us in. We thought he was just keeping us in sight while he went about his business. We suddenly realised he was posturing and sizing us up. Seconds after this picture, he trumpeted, and put his head down, and began thundering towards us. I just drove, and Jo assessed in the mirrors, and gave me reassurance that we seemed to be increasing the amount of space between elephant and vehicle. It wasn't a long chase, but once he felt affirmed in his dominance, he stopped and gloated. From a safe distance, we in turn stopped to catch our breaths and let our heart rates return to normal. The bull turned towards the trees and wandered off, full of confidence that we knew our place in the order of things.
Playing in a Puddle
If you are viewing this in the blog, you should visit our Ipernity page, where we have put a short video up as well. This little guy seemed to be really loving the water. For a couple of minutes, he splashed and frollicked. He spouted and snorted and danced in the puddle.
CLICK FOR VIDEO
Playing in a Puddle - Video
CLICK FOR VIDEO
Playing in a Puddle - Video
Red Lechwe in Bwabwata Naional Park, Namibia
A Hangout of Hippos? No, a Bloat!
20+ hippopotami, just chillin'. Somethimes disappearing for a short spell, reappearing in the same spot with a little puff and a snort. They seemed to have no intent on expelling any energy.
Does this Photo Make You Yawn?
Greater Kudu
Kudu grazing in Bwabwata, Namibia.
Ostrich
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