We began our African safari in Johannesburg, allowing 2 nights to acclimatise to the time zone. We enjoyed a tour of Capital Hill, the Peace Museum, and Soweto before returning to our hotel.
The following morning, we flew to Maun, Botswana’s tourism capital and fifth largest town. We then loaded our selves and belongings into a Cessna Caravan for our flight to a small, sealed airstrip just to the west of our first camp, Leroo La Tau. This Safari lodge sits on a high bank overlooking the Boteti River.
After settling us into our accomodation for the next few nights, we had lunch, a little siesta, then we were off onto our first safari drive. Within 100 metres of the lodge gates, we saw our first Elephants, less than 30 metres from them. We then followed a dirt track that passed by some small domestic animal enclosures through the small village of Xhumaga and entered the Makgadikgadi Pans National Park. Over the next 3 hours, we sighted many Vultures, Elephant, Giraffe, Wilderbeast and Zebras up close. We enjoyed a sundowner (drinks and nibbles) overlooking a waterhole with hippopotamus and crocodiles.
We experienced thunder, lightning, and torrential rain on our first night. This not only settled the dust but also made for cooler temperatures. We took the option of visiting the nearby Nxai Pan National Park for day 2. This option meant we basically enjoyed an all-day Safari drive, the staff from Leroo La Tau had also driven ahead of us and set up an amazing banquet lunch in the shade of some Mopani trees. We saw many more animals today, as well as Elephant, Giraffe, Wilderbeast, Jackal, Impala, Ostrich and 100s of Zebra, among other animals.
We spent this morning visiting a local farmer at one of the small animal enclosures, he described their lifestyle which is predominately substance farming. We then visited the local Xhumaga School, and sat in on a class, we answered some student questions mainly about Australia, and asked some of our own. We then visited the village square and met the local Chief. He described how important his role in modern day Botswana is, being the leader of the local area, he also represents his community in parliament, and settlles small community disputes.
After breakfast today, we flew to the Moremi Game Reserve on the edge of the Okavango Delta. After lunch, we headed out on our first safari drive from our new camp. Just before sunset we saw our first Lions, we also saw Wilderbeast, Kudu, Waterbuck, Buffalo, and Zebra among others, as well as many birds. We spotted a small pack of painted dogs not far into our first drive this morning. Within 2 kilometres, we sighted a female Leopard up a tree, with a young one in the thorns below. We then headed back toward the open swampy country and found a pride of Lions feeding on a Buffalo. There were Vultures in the trees above waiting for some scraps.
The land teemed with a variety of birdlife, from small Kingfishers right through to large Hornbills; there was also a variety of antelopes, buffalo, squirrels, Mongoose, Baboons, giraffes and more. After lunch, we headed out onto the Xakanaxa Lagoon in a flat-bottom boat. There was a wide variety of bird life again, as well as a pair of elderly Elephants floating along with the current, eating Water lilies. While eating our meal tonight, we were entertained by the camp staff; the staff at each lodge seemed to try to outdo each other. A wild Hippo walks out of the river most nights at Camp Xakanaxa to graze on the lawn.
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The next morning, we flew to Kasane Airport and were transported to Chobe Game Lodge, the middle of the Chobe River, which is also the border between Namibia and Botswana. This lodge is more like a resort. Some of its safari vehicles and its boats have been converted to electrical motors. All of the safari guides at this lodge are all women.
We saw many bird species as well as Lions, Elephant, Giraffes, Warthogs, Baboons, Hippos, and more. During our boat drives, we witnessed an Impala being taken by a Crocodile in the middle of the river.
The next morning we transferred to Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe by road. After settling into our accommodation, we were taken on a river cruise with dinner upstream from the falls. The following day we took a guided walk to view the falls, after lunch we visited a private game reserve and saw a pair of Rhinoceros, this gave us our Big 5.
