"This is Chobe!"

We were driven across land from Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe to Chobe National Park in Botswana.    The country of Botswana has an interesting approach to tourism.  Unlike Kenya, they have decided to limit the number of people who go on safari and charge them more.  While it is hard on your pocketbook, it makes for a phenomenal safari.  There are few other people, and the animals really have the land to themselves.

Meier: "This is Chobe!"

We were met by our guide Meier (his Dad named him after a friend).  Meier had a voice that was a cross between Dracula and James Earl Jones'.  Whenever we would ask if we would see a certain kind of animal, he would answer "This is Chobe."  

We were a small party - John, Cheryl, Jim, Meier, and me.  As we drove into Chobe National Park, we kept saying, "Stop.  I see a warthog over there.  Wait.  I see an elephant over there." Now, these animals were quite far in the distance.  Finally, Meier stopped and said, "This is what we call delete corner.  After you've been in Chobe, and see animals close up, you'll delete all these early pictures."  

Giraffe patterning varied a lot.
This one looked like leaves.

He was right.  Shortly after that comment, Meier was driving along the sand filled path road when suddenly, he braked and backed up.  "See the giraffe?" he asked.  "Where?" we all said.   "Right there."  And, there - right in front of us was a giraffe eating leaves!  We had been so intent on scanning the horizon, that we had missed a giraffe within 10 feet of the road.

Fast Food - See the M?

During our time in the park, we went on two morning safaris (6 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.) and three evening safaris (3:00 - 6:00 p.m.)   We saw hundreds and hundreds of animals.  The zebras were migrating, so we saw herds of them.   We followed a pride of lions for three days and got to know their habits - intimately.  (See posting: "Blame it on the moon".)

We saw hippos, elephants, water buffalo, elands, baboons, many birds, impalas...  Speaking of impalas, they have a brown marking on their buttocks that looks like the McDonald's M.  Meier said that that was because they are "fast food!" 

Treed impala

We'll get you next time!

I am thankful that we never saw a kill.  I know it happens, but I'd prefer not to watch.  We did see this impala 30 feet up in a tree.  Meier surmised that a leopard had killed it and dragged it up there, to eat later.  We also saw a pride of lions chasing three water buffalo.  The pride hadn't eaten for days, and they were serious, but the water buffalo made it to water (and safety!)

The elusive leopard

On our last day in camp, we went for our usual morning drive.  Mentioning that we hadn't seen a leopard yet, Meier just responded, "This is Chobe" - his version of keep the faith.  He circled back to the tree where the leopard had the impala stashed - and sure enough we all got a glimpse of the very elusive leopard.  (Solitary animals, they are very hard to spot on most safaris.)

I was thirsty!

Personally, I enjoyed the baboons the most.  I could easily imagine sitting and just watching them for hours.   Here are some of my favorite pictures of them, and the other animals.

Here's looking at you, kid!

I have a cute face, too. (Kudu)

A little to the left

I'm having such a bad hair day

No telephonic lens.  Saw many, many elephants this close.

Hippos on shore - Quite unusual to see during the day