Chobe February 2014

11/2/2014
Sadly, our time on Mukwae (Mrs. Chief) has come to an end. Huge thanks to all the crew, Raymond (our guide), Vincent ( our chef), Lally (our host and manager of Mukwae), John and Vasco ( assistant guides and all round good fellows!)






From left to right: Lally, Vincent, Raymond, John & Vasco





The motley crew.

What an awesome experience. Would like to do this again, one day.

Reasonably quick process through Namibia & Botswana customs. Pleasant, uneventful drive from Kasane to Nata Lodge. Jenny finally got her donkey cart picture!






Had a lovely swim followed by a somewhat decadent external shower.
Supper under the stars ... Typical ... Last night and all the clouds seem to have gone. Ah, well ... Still a glorious holiday.
11/2/14
Just before Francistown, I couldn't wait any longer and went for a wee at a picnic lay bye. Jen and Ray laughing their heads off as my tissues blew down the road. A long suffering sigh from Luis accompanied by the statement "She's high maintenance"...
Four days ago when we came through this way, the rivers were flowing full strength. Now they are mere puddles and trickles. Amazing how quickly the torrents dissipated.
Jen has a fascination for cows, donkeys and goats and enthuses about them more than wildlife. I think she has more photos of them too.
Stopped at Kwanokeng Lodge on the Limpopo River overlooking South Africa for a lovely lunch. Have to maximize our stay in Botswana. Last 10kms full of potholes. Had a game of dodgems! Luis did well!

Houseboat, Chobe. Feb 2014

Balance of 9/2 consisted of a lovely game drive down river.



Giant Kingfisher


Woodlands Kingfisher


Greenback Heron


Very muddy buff


Squaco Heron









10/2/14
Started raining about 2 this morning and carried on for about 3 hours.
Had a late morning game drive in very overcast weather.
Watched this kingfisher bashing his fish and eventually consuming it, followed by a drink of water






Bird fishing obviously good this morning. Fish eagle with morsel of barbel pilfered from a croc kill



Much to Jenny's chagrin, this hippo did not pose prettily on the bank but rather charged into the water and continued his charge towards us









Back on houseboat to retrace our path back to Elephant's Bay.
Have I mentioned the magnificent meals Vincent is concocting in his kitchen. He's a marvel.
Guys went out to try their luck at fishing



Report back later - no fish to be caught.
I went out solo with our wonderfully patient & informative guide, Raymond.


Had some close sightings






Returned in time for a gloomy but beautiful sunset.

Houseboat Botswana February 2014

7 Feb 2014
Left home 5am. Swarms of fly/beetle type thingies with pungent odour crashing into windscreen - no idea what they were but there were thousands. Slow border crossing at Martin's Drift due to delays in road tax queue but otherwise pleasant. Stopped in Palapye to get lunch at Wimpy.
Torrential rain storm just outside a traffic congested Francistown.






Speeding fine (P300) at Tati - good giggle despite circumstances as I was trying to take a photo of dejected Luis but the policeman thought I was taking a pic of him.





Apparently that is not allowed. Eventually, I was focussing on a rainbow with a dead tree as lock point. Next thing the cop appeared in my view finder. He was intent on going for a widdle against the aforementioned dead tree. Figured if he didn't want me to take a pic before, he definitely wouldn't want evidence of his act of public indecency. Very tempted but I couldn't do it. It's my favourite camera and lens when all is said and done. Hit another massive rainstorm shortly after that.
First time we've been to Botswana in the rainy season - can't get over how green everything is. Also, lots of water lying around.
Arrived at Nata Lodge around 6ish. What a lovely place. Chalets are beautiful.


















Had a lovely supper and went off to lounge for an after dinner drink Jen was terrorised by a rhinocerous beetle (huge) which she swiped out of the air right into Ray's lap. Ray shot up!!!!












8 Feb 2014
Good night's sleep for all except Jen. Onto the road after scrumptious continental breakfast around 9ish. Elephant sighting within 20 kms of leaving the lodge.






Many more on the balance of the journey to Kasane. Lovely trip. Lots of raptors especially yellow billed kites






Not raptors but nice sighting





Met Raymond at Kasane customs - checked out there and into Namibia on Impalili Island.
Boarded house boat ... Heaven ... I'm in heaven!
Lovely, tasty tuna salad for lunch plus pecan nut pie. Will be even fatter when we leave this boat!

















Moored at Elephant Bay for the night.
Lion roaring in the distance. Boat game drive.

















9 Feb 2014
Up at 5:30 to go on 6:30 game drive. Some interesting sightings including up close and personal with a hippo and some new birds













Pygmy Goose












White Crowned Plover





Impala enjoying fresh morning





Back to boat for breakfast then out on another game drive. Man, I love this life.

Malachite Kingfisher






Long Toed Plover




Gallinule





Kittlitz Plover






Yellow Wagtail