7 Bots/Nam Mavunje 14/5/14

Rose to the grunting and splashing of hippos plus rather noisy babblers ( Hartlaub's). Restful morning searching for birds.

Open Bill Stork


Very distant Lechwe


Jacana



Little Bee Eaters





Baby Yellow Bellied Bulbul





Fantastic boat trip kicks end off at 15:30. Crystal clear water and interesting meandering through a forest of reeds.












Dan the Man


Lechwe


Massive bull amid his harem.






Sadly this bull has an injury, either leg or hip. He moves slowly but steadily. This probably, coupled
with musthing made him a bit more aggressive than the usual fare but he still took the time to drink, keeping a watchful eye (and an inquisitive trunk) on us.





Different ellie, also limping slightly.












Dan allowed the men to fish a bit on our return. Gayle and I took the opportunity to alight on to a small island for a wee. One of the most exhilarating wees of my life ... Surrounded by croc and hippo bearing water and in near darkness, thankfully a full moon, hence near darkness as opposed to pitch black.

6 Bots/Nam Mavunje, nr Kongola 13/5/14

Hippos kerplooshing in the water right next to us, beautiful mating duet of a pair of wood owls - female slightly higher pitched than the gruff call of the male.
Actually, just found out, the hippos kerplooshing was a guy swimming in the pool. I know I get disorientated in The Rad but this is ridiculous!!!!
Was taking photos of the camp set up and came across a scantily clad Gayle.



Makoro Man



Great excitement and a lifer for me ... Half collared kingfisher



Another variety of sunbird



Rather hectic arrival at Mavunje - vans were battling to get through the narrow clearings to sites. All good in the end plus Luis and Anthony went on a panga mission and cleared the way so going out should be easier.
Lovely place.
Gayle and Anthony did a roast leg of lamb in their cob accompanied by roast potatoes, carrots, corn, rice and gravy. Mmmmmmm! Ate at the dining room table - how incongruous - middle of the bush, no electricity yet full Sunday roast style meal in awesome setting.






Hippos were really close to us - not sure who was more wary.

5 Bots/Nam Namwi Island 12/5/14

Up later than usual this morning. Obviously I don't want to go shopping!!!!
Lovely bird activity here: Giant kingfisher, sunbirds, bulbuls (green and yellow), Trumpeter, sweet voiced robins to name but a few.



Gayle and Anthony love this place. Think Anthony could spend his entire 30 days tour here!
River is very high and fast flowing. Starting to wonder about the Rundu/Epupa river road section .... Cross that bridge when we get there (pun intended).
Did our shopping and bought the data for my mi-fi ... Big mental note for next time: CHANGE THE APN TO "internet"!!!!!!!! (At least I remembered how to do the pin story ... Must say Botswana is much easier - basically plug and play)









Anthony caught a nice tiger. Soooo happy for him. Others had "near misses".

4 Bots/Nam Namwi Island, Katima Mullilo 11/5/14

Early this morning a chorus of lion, hyena (giggling and whooping), jackal, pearl spotted, Scops and night jars. Heaven, I'm in heaven. As dawn broke, my favourite Spooky joined the chorus.
Very quiet at the waterhole. The kite and fish eagle were the only obvious occupants. This shot of the eagle is blurred but I like the freshness evident in the growth.



Bade a fond farewell to Senyati. Pleasant and short journey to next destination. Chobe Express yielded a posing tawny.



Lovely friendly and quick border crossing. In the road just before entrance to Namwi Island was a newish born calf. Umbilical chord still hanging and very wobbly legs but Mum had cleaned her up beautifully for her photo



Namwi remains an oasis ...



(Mutt and Jeff rearranging their fishing platform!)
Evening much warmer that Senyati. Guys fished with little success despite busy tiger activity evident in the river.
Wood owl greeting us but remaining well concealed.
Late to bed.

3 Bots/Nam Senyati 10/5/14

Rose at the crack of dawn again. Call of Hyena, pearl spotted, spotted eagle owl, jackal and rumbling Ellie's accompanied our dreams last night. Giraffe at waterhole this morning, plus sable and impala.






Crazy to see domestic cows (is there anything other kind?) mingling with ellies.






Yellow billed Ox pecker taking advantage of water break and drinking as well.





Rest of the crew went to Kasane to get money and provisions. I stayed and went out with Louw and Lulu to investigate vulture activity. Sadly for us, they were about 50m into the Zimbabwe side so could not satisfy our curiosity. Lulu was telling me that the local farmer and owner of aforementioned cows has shot 14 lion in the past 6 months plus an ellie 2 weeks ago. He received a warning from the authorities. Botswana recently introduced a zero tolerance policy to poaching and game hunting.

Massive herd of giraffe wended their lazy way past the lodge but didn't stop for a drink.
Fish eagle finally moved into posing position.



Plenty ellie activity.






Had a pretty little visitor to our lapa. Quite tame as well.

2 Bots/Nam Senyati nr Kasane 9/5/14

Lovely breakfast ... Omelette with the works ... P65. Short haul (250 kms) complements of long haul yesterday. Many detours in Lesoma (to avoid hectic entrance to Senyati). Gave up and entered via normal hectic track. Gayle is not a well puppy. Vomiting since morning. Must be a bug that has to go it's course. Ellie, piggies and baboon at waterhole.
Senyati has new chairs. Wooden carved thingies. I accidentally brushed against one and the whole bloody lot went down ... Domino effect. Emabarassment.
Gayle perked up around supper time. Ate a little ... Here's hoping.

1 Bots/Nam Elephant Sands, nr Nata 8/5/14

Phew! A loooong haul to get here. 950kms mostly uneventful. Johan & Sonja paid a P300 speeding fine just outside Francistown. Left home at 5am - rolled in here at 6pm.
Broody storm clouds.




Magnificent sunset






Lovely interface with Ellie's at the waterhole. One musthing male was about 3m away from us. Lovely rush.
Magnificent dinner of steak and chips plus salads, veggies. Very tasty and well prepared P120 each. Campsite basic, 'blutes even more basic ... P170.