Maun to Chobe

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We left for Okavango Delta early in the morning (Okavango Delta is where the river splays out to flat marshy ground). We were picked up by a converted cattle truck with seats where we packed all of our things for Okavango Delta. We arrived at the edge of the delta where we were met by the boatmen who would take us to our campsite in the delta. We sat very cosily in our dugout canoes while the polers pushed us (think venice) gently along the delta. We were able to see an elephant and baboons from the comfort of our boats. It was very relaxed indeed and a short nap later we arrived at the campsite. After chilling for a couple of hours (more sleeping on the 'beach'), we took a sunset 2 hour walk where we were able to see from foot zebras, a family of baboons, some impala running (they can jump as high as a person almost floating through the air!) and a few sightings of elephants, including one shaking a tree down for coconuts! We camped the night in the delta, spending time singing and playing games with the boatmen, hokey pokey included!

The next morning we took another, shorter walk before we boated back. The winds m,ade the delta water chopy and we got very wet, eventually bailing out of our boat on dry land when it was near to sinking. We waited for a rescue canoe (with higher sides) and clambered into that to be taken back. On the drive in the cattle-truck-style-vehicle back to our campsite the truck got stuck in the mud, which we spent about an hour trying to get out! Having felt the day couldn't get much more disastrous (albeit in a highly entertaining way) the truck broke down 15 minutes later. The tow vehicle arrived 20 minutes later, and the tow cable snapped trying to tow us. yet another truck arrived to take us back which was blissfully uneventful. The rest of the day was spent in Maun and at the campsite - Matt took an aerial flight over the delta while I pottered about town.

The following day was a 600km drive to Kasane which took up the whole day. By now we were very much used to the long journeys and I slept for the largest part.

This morning we woke early to take a game drive at 5.45am at Chobe National Park. We drove along the Thebe River, spotting some birds along the way when we saw a young Cheetah by the side of the road - our guide hadn't seen one in two months of doing Chobe tours. Even more spectacular, the Cheetah walked along the road for maybe 10 minutes while we followed it. We also saw hippos and crocodiles from a distance and kudu and impala and giraffes up close. A very successful drive for only 3 hours of driving. We arrived back for breakfast before we came into Kasane to do bits and bobs. Later today we go for a sunset cruise along Thebe river where we hope to see hippos and crocodiles up close.

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Photos

Boating
Boating on Okavango Delta

Cheetah
at Chobe National Park

kudus and giraffes
at Chobe National Park