Chobe National Park

February 13 – Enroute to Chobe National Park

Today was a looonnngg travel day – 444 km travelled at a speed of 65km./hr. After some truck repairs we were on our way by 8:30 am. Before crossing the border into Botswana, we stopped in a small town to collect a little food and replenish truck parts in anticipation of future breakdowns. We crossed the border one last time, exiting Namibia and entering Botswana. Our destination was Chobe Safari Lodge and along the way we sited a huge heard of waterbuffalo making their way to a waterhole close to the road. Alongside of them was a herd of elephants enroute to the same destination. WOW; we weren't even in the park yet. When we arrived, it was quite a shock to see such a beautiful lodge. We stayed in the campground,but were allowed to use all the facilities including the pool, extensive porch overlooking the Chobe River, very comfortable reception area and ofcourse, beautiful washrooms equiped with soap too! I increased my fluid intake just so I could use the washroom more. Even the sinks were inlayed with beautiful tiled paintings of birds we have seen. Our campground was inhabited by monkeys but they moved over without a fuss. It was an early night as we gobbled down dinner and settled in for the night before the rain campe pelting down at 9:00 p.m.

February 14 – Chobe National Park

We were up at 5:00 am and after a quick slice of bread and coffee we loaded into our Park jeep and began the three hour adventure into the park to seek out wildlife. We saw many beautiful birds making sounds that perked us all up to attention. Along the way we saw elephants, hyena on the roadside, warthogs, giraffe, sable antelope, and waterbuck.. It was a successful game drive followed by Kioko's brunch and stories shared about the animals sited by group members who were on a different jeep.

The remainder of the day we enjoyed the pool (after we chased the monkeys out of the truck so we could get our bathingsuits) and relaxation before our three hour cruise down the Chobe River in search of hungry hippo feasting on the reeds. It was an incredibly peaceful ride as the boat slowly drifted its way closer and closer to the hippos who were so involved with eating, I don't think they knew we were there. We saw more hippos than I ever dreamed we would, heard their grunting and even had an unusually energetic one decide to swim like a dolphin beside us for a couple of seconds. After surfacing the first time he opened his mouth so wide, we could see everything. His head alone was the size of a baby elephant and he created waves with the seconds of effort to swim alongside of us. It was definitely dinner time, but Kioko didn't have dinner planned until 8:00 Good thing I had some peanuts and raisins for Ed, or he would have passed out with hunger, I'm sure!!!