| OK, I admit it - I'm soft on Africa. The | | | | kill. Continuing north, in the afternoon we |
| African bush is my dream . . . and my | | | | visited the falls and the Mahango Game |
| passion. | | | | Reserve. |
| | | | |
| Imagine the rolling hills shimmering before | | | | Day 7: Maun |
| you in the glow of dawn, the special golden | | | | |
| light at sunset, the incomparable wildlife | | | | We crossed into Botswana at the Mohembo |
| right next to you, the baobabs withering in | | | | border post and traveled along the Okavango |
| the blistering sun, the camp out in the bush | | | | River southwards to Sehitwa before turning |
| - at these moments you are in contact with | | | | north east to Maun, the capital of the |
| the very essence of your primeval being! | | | | Okavango Delta. |
| | | | |
| I have been on safari in Africa many times. | | | | After stocking up on supplies, we left for |
| It is definitely a favorite destination. This | | | | our campsite just outside town on the banks |
| particular trip was the highlight of all my | | | | of the Thamalakane River. We jumped at the |
| African excursions - a 4X4 12 day camping | | | | opportunity of a scenic sundowner flight over |
| safari that started in Windhoek, the | | | | the delta, our pilot swooping down low over |
| beautiful capital of Namibia, through some of | | | | the herds of animals heading for their |
| the roughest terrain on the planet through | | | | evening drink. |
| like the Okavango Delta in Botswana and up to | | | | |
| Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe. | | | | Day 8: Moremi - Okavango Delta |
| | | | |
| Known to the local African tribesman as | | | | Early morning we head for Moremi Game Reserve |
| "Mosi-oa-Tunya" - the smoke that thunders - | | | | in the Okavango Delta. The Okavango Delta in |
| Vic falls are truly a spectacular site. | | | | Botswana is one of the last totally unspoiled |
| | | | Wildlife areas in Africa. The unique |
| Remarkably preserved in its natural state and | | | | ecosystem is a labyrinth of lagoons, lakes |
| one of the most spectacular natural wonders | | | | and hidden channels covering an area of over |
| of the world, the falls inspire magical | | | | 17,000 square km and the largest inland delta |
| inspiration to all visitors. At 1708 meters | | | | in the world. Trapped in the parched Kalahari |
| wide and a drop of between 90 - 107 meters, | | | | sands it is a magnet for the wildlife who |
| this is the largest curtain of water on | | | | depend on the permanent waters of this unique |
| earth. | | | | feature. The Okavanga hosts over 400 species |
| | | | of birds, as well as lions, elephants, |
| The falls and the surrounding area have been | | | | hyenas, wild dog, buffalo, hippo, crocodiles, |
| declared National Parks and a World Heritage | | | | antelope and many other smaller animals such |
| Site, thus preserving the area from excessive | | | | as warthogs, monkeys, mongoose and more. |
| commercialization. The Falls are spectacular | | | | |
| throughout the year, but February onwards, | | | | We take our time exploring the wetlands and |
| after the rain season, has the heaviest flow | | | | its myriad inhabitants en route to our next |
| and volume of spray. | | | | campsite at Moremi. |
| | | | |
| I find that a self drive 4x4 is the best way | | | | Day 9: Okavango Delta |
| to explore the natural wonders of Southern | | | | |
| Africa. On this trip we booked a 4X4 | | | | More game viewing, this time from a dugout |
| campervan which is basically a modified | | | | canoe - known here as a Mokoro. We paddled |
| LandRover or other 4X4 with additional gas | | | | deep into the delta from Xakanaxa spying all |
| tanks, gear racks and an unfolding tent on | | | | manner of water-bound species on the way - |
| the roof. After picking up our vehicle at the | | | | hippos, gigantic crocodiles and more. Shades |
| rental depot we set off as part of a convoy | | | | of Tarzan! Mind boggling to see these animals |
| led by a qualified guide. While I usually | | | | so close. |
| prefer to wander around on my own, the | | | | |
| terrain here is so rugged and so full of wild | | | | Day 10: Chobe |
| game, that you are definitely advised to take | | | | |
| the guided convoy route. | | | | After an early breakfast we hit the road |
| | | | again. (Never short of food on this trip!) |
| One of the greatest highlights of any Safari | | | | |
| is the gin and tonic sundowner after a hard | | | | Heading north to the Mababe Depression, we |
| day in the bush. Roughing it in Africa is | | | | entered Chobe National Park at the Mababe |
| more than a gin and tonic with a bottled lime | | | | gate. A major feature of Chobe National Park |
| juice instead of fresh, however. This is no | | | | is its elephant population. These herds |
| pussycat trip; this is hardcore Africa... | | | | comprise what is probably the largest |
| everyone is expected to pitch in and help, | | | | surviving continuous elephant population, |
| even if it means dragging the 4x4 out of the | | | | currently estimated at a totals of some |
| mud. We did - one of our team-mates got stuck | | | | 120,000 elephants. They are also the largest |
| in the fine sand - and we made it with the | | | | of African elephants, but their tusks are |
| broadest smiles we've ever had. | | | | brittle so there are not many huge tuskers |
| | | | among them. The elephant population has built |
| Starting from Windhoek, a perfectly preserved | | | | up steadily in recent years and has largely |
| German colonial style town (Namibia was | | | | escaped the illegal ivory hunters of the |
| formerly German South West Africa), every day | | | | 1970s and 80s. |
| of this trip held a new and different thrill. | | | | |
| From big game, bushmen tribes-people and | | | | The herds are migratory, making seasonal |
| spectacular natural wonders, this trip still | | | | movements of up to 200 kms from the Chobe and |
| makes my heart sing! | | | | Linyati rivers where they concentrate in the |
| | | | dry season to the pans in the southeast to |
| Day 1: Windhoek | | | | which they migrate during the wet season. |
| | | | |
| We flew into Windhoek on South African | | | | After an extremely pleasant day of game |
| Airways' morning flight from Johannesburg. | | | | watching we moved on to our campsite at |
| After picking up our 4X4 and meeting with our | | | | Savuti. The Chobe river valley practically |
| guide and some of our tour mates, we spent | | | | swarms with elephants. Most of the day they |
| the rest of the day exploring this great | | | | are scattered around the hillsides |
| little city. A combination of modern and | | | | surrounding the valley, and as the sun begins |
| German colonial style architecture, this | | | | to sink towards the horizon, they descend to |
| slightly provincial city is quite neat and | | | | the valley in their hundreds to swim, roll in |
| clean. | | | | the mud, eat and socialise. After pitching |
| | | | camp in the late afternoon we moved down to |
| The influence of German language and culture | | | | the riverbed to await the arrival of our |
| is still very much apparent, with plenty | | | | elephant friends for their evening sundowner. |
| German-style restaurants and other cultural | | | | We didn't have too long to wait. They were |
| remnants. Although English is the official | | | | soon crossing the river in droves, in both |
| language, German can be used just about | | | | directions. This carried on for an hour or |
| anywhere. | | | | two, until both banks were liberally covered |
| | | | in elephants of all sizes, from this year's |
| Day 2: Etosha - Okaukuejo | | | | calves through to a few who must have been |
| | | | upwards of 50 years of age. Can you picture |
| After a light breakfast we left bright and | | | | this? It was happening right in front of us! |
| early on the main highway north from | | | | Absolutely amazing. |
| Windhoek. | | | | |
| | | | Day 11: Chobe |
| Passing through Otjowarongo we arrived at the | | | | |
| Etosha National Park. Before setting up camp | | | | The memories of last night's elephant lingers |
| for the night we went on a sun-downer game | | | | on into the early morning ..... |
| drive. Later in the evening we sat on the | | | | |
| banks of the floodlit waterhole bordering the | | | | Today we were awakened by the unique waking |
| camp, watching the animals coming in to | | | | of a Fish Eagle perched on the tree behind |
| drink. | | | | our campervan. What can beat that? We |
| | | | traveled further north through the Chobe |
| Day 3: Etosha - Namutoni | | | | Forest Reserve to Ihaha. We saw ample game |
| | | | along the way - warthogs and waterbuck |
| A full day of game viewing today, and our | | | | predominate. At days end we camp on the Chobe |
| first glimpse of lion and rhino not 10 meters | | | | River bank after a game drive along the |
| from our campervan. What a fantastic sight. | | | | river. |
| At day's end we reached Namutoni, our camp | | | | |
| site for the night. | | | | Day 12: Victoria Falls - Lodge |
| | | | |
| Day 4: Tsumkwe | | | | Our final day here in the wild - and we're on |
| | | | our way to the smoke that thunders - or Vic |
| Exiting the Etosha National Park we headed | | | | Falls, discovered by David Livingstone back |
| east via Tsumeb and Grootfontein to Tsumkwe | | | | in 1855. |
| in the heart of Bushman land. The cultural | | | | |
| experience of a visit to a bushman village is | | | | We cover the 130 kms in 4 hours and arrive at |
| quite indescribable, so I won't even try. But | | | | the falls at noon. Not much seems to have |
| make sure you don't miss it on your tour. | | | | changed here since Livingstone's time. The |
| | | | falls are a national heritage sight and so |
| Day 5: Khaudum | | | | are relatively uncommercialized. We quickly |
| | | | returned our vehicles to the depot and made a |
| Following an off-road track of deep and loose | | | | beeline for our lodge and a nice long bath. |
| sand, we head north into the Khaudum Game | | | | What a luxury! The rest of the day and most |
| Reserve. Another day to enjoy game viewing. | | | | of the next we spent absorbing the grandeur |
| | | | of the falls, and finally headed to the |
| Day 6: Popa Falls | | | | airport to catch our plane back to |
| | | | Johannesburg and civilization. |
| An early start as we headed out before dawn | | | | |
| for a game drive in the area of our camp | | | | If you're after hardcore Africa - this West |
| before heading further north to Popa Falls. | | | | African Safari is definitely the ULTIMATE |
| We managed to track a pride of lions stalking | | | | African experience! |
| their prey, but were not able to view the | | | | |