Botswana

Then on to the Zimbabwe and Botswana border crossings. The Botswana process is complicated - we first had to get off the bus and step into a pan to disinfect our shoes. Then a health check of temperature, then immigration and passport control and finally put all of our other shoes in the disinfection. This is an effort to avoid bring in foot and mouth disease.

Kasane is a short ride from the border and we arrived at our lodge for lunch and then off on a safari river cruise. The main highlights were the crocs, buffalo, numerous birds and a fantastic view of a large herd of elephants crossing back to the mainland from the grassy island. This is the Chobe River and it divides Botswana and Okay that really isn’t the name but elephants are here in the hundreds. Yesterday on our afternoon game drive we came across several herds returning from the water - at least 10” of them. And some got very close to the vehicle. 

Our stay in Botswana has been in Chobe National Park. Lots of trees and bushes and short grass. Animals, other than the elephants an impalas are not as plentiful. We did see 1 very handsome older lion. Rhino sighting for me was one in the water napping but some of the group did see one on their second river cruise.

The river cruise was a nice way to see the land - Botswana on one side and Namibia on the other side. There are a number of islands with veg green grass that the animals like. They will walk or swim across the water to eat the grass. Apparently by the time rainy season arrives the grass will be gone.

Our lodge is a beautiful view right along the river. Early one morning there was a hippo right outside caught on camera by one of the group.

It has been a different animal viewing experience than Kruger but really nice in other ways. Oh yes - again way too much food. Wake up call this morning was a thunder and lightening storm. That has now passed and the birds are entertaining the area.

 

A highlight before the day even started was the hippo outside one of the rooms at 5:08 am.  Day two in the park and we all headed out for a morning game drive.  The animals were not nearly as abundant as Kruger and the roads were definitely a bit bumpy.  We did see mommy baboons with their babies - adorable.  The trees and landscapes are also very interesting. People had a choice for the afternoon between another river cruise or game drive. I picked game drive.  It was slow but we did encounter one very large herd of elephants returning back from the river. Magnificent! 

And then it was time to leave Botswana for another long travel day - bus to Vic Falls airport, border crossings, flight and a 3 hour drive to our next location.