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Published: October 16th 2009
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Our Safari Vehicle
Leaving Maun Lodge Ultimate Safari Day.
For those of you who don't want to read the whole blog, skip to the part below, starting with Lions.
Up early this morning, which would be our pattern for the rest of our days on safari. Breakfast buffet at the hotel, load up the luggage on a cart that is pulled behind the safari vehicle. Glad we brought duffle bags ined with orange garbage bags. Most everyone else has regular luggage, and it would get pretty beat up and dusty over the next days, to be sure. This was a mobile camping safari, meaning that our camp moved with us from place to place. We would be staying in privately-booked special group campsites, so all on our own. It was nice to learn that we would not be staying in any public campsites.
But the bottom line is we would be staying in TENTS on the ground, something that a few of our group missed when they read about this trip. So it was a bit of a shock for them. We were in our element and prepared for roughing it. It wasn't quite as 'roughing it' as it could have been, however. There
Maun Airport
Heading towards our small plane for the Delta fly-over was a support truck kitted out with portable freezer to carry ice. And there were 5 camp staff. So they all went ahead and set up camp for us and did all the cooking, take-downs, and provided warm water for washing every morning. We were well taken care of, to be sure.
Before heading into the bush, we had a wonderful flyover of the Okavango Delta. Spotted elephants, hippos & giraffes, which are all in abundance around here. What a beautiful place! We had wondered where all the elephants were, and found that they were all in the water. Smart animals. It was scorching hot.
Before leaving civilization, we stopped at Spar Market in Maun so Kayla could buy cough syrup. Then we left Maun and headed for the bush. Drove through the village of Shorobe, where the pavement ended. On towards Moremi Park. Crossed through the buffalo fence which separates domestic animals, mainly cattle and goats, from the wild animals. From there, it was wild game all the way.
Once into game areas, Chris slowed down so we could start game-spotting. We weren't disappointed, and immediately started spotting wart hogs, giraffe, all sorts of grazing animals,
impala everywhere, and elephant.
Arrived in camp to find the whole thing all set up for us - ah luxury. Enjoyed a three-course meal in the dining tent, which was really a canvas roof with open sides.
LIONS After dessert while enjoying our first night in camp, we heard the scream of a Cape Buffalo being taken down by lions. Close by. So Chris had us all jump into the safari vehicle, camp staff and all, and drove back down the road to see what we could see. Not 100 meters from camp, on the side of the road, we found a lion pride still in the process of taking down the buffalo. We couldn't believe our eyes. First night in camp, and the show begins!
We watched the pride kill off the buffalo, then left them starting to feed, knowing they would be fighting over the kill all night, and they would be there the next day. During the night we heard hyenas laughing, lions roaring, hippos chomping on grass (did we mention we were camping right next to the water?). At one point the lions chased the hyenas right through camp. What a night.
Not many in our group slept much.
Two people in our group had their cameras and were snapping away during the kill. We'll try to upload a few once we get copies.
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Judy Wyatt
non-member comment
WOW!
I was just responding to your last blog when this one popped in! First of all, we were a little concerned after not hearing from you for a few days - were hoping you were not part of the kudu stew yourselves! This adventure seems to be taking on huge proportions as you experience all this wildlife and African living! Its interesting to actually "hear" the excitement in your voice as you write this Richard....I think its you. Has Kayla finally won you over? Hope Kaylas cold doesn last long and shes well enough to thoroughly enjoy this amazing experience! The neighborhood is a little less exotic....very quiet with the rain coming down today! IL saw a couple of seagulls make a fly pass awhile ago, and several dogs on the path, but no hyenas laughing. Youll miss the animal sounds when you return home to the quiet Fraser! Take care and continue to enjoy every aspect of this holiday. Itll wind down before you know it! Judy and Greg