Three countries in one day

Three countries in one day

Day 10: 27 December

After an early (6:00) breakfast, we left for Botswana. The border posts open at 7:00, and we went through without any hiccups, leaving Namibia and entering Botswana, where we drove to Botswana lodge, to get onto one of their Jeep safaris.

The guide took us on an open Jeep through the Chobe National Park, which we had seen previously from afar from the other side of the Chobe River.

Warthog mother & youngsters

Sable antelope

There were many elephants, Kudus, even a shy Sable antelope, plenty of black-faced Impala, green meerkat, warthog, crocodile, water monitor lizard, Puku, Water buck, Buffalo and again so many birds.

Kudu male

Water Monitor

Two hours later we left a lush green Botswana for a just-as-green Zimbabwe.

Once again having to cross a border and passing through another border post.

We opted for some take away lunch for our way to the Victoria Falls, but were slightly delayed due to a surprise rainshower.

After waiting 30 minutes, the rain subdued to a drizzle and we could enter the Vic Falls National Park and stand in awe at this one of the seven world wonders.

Rainbow in the mist

Walking from view point to view point, it got wetter and wetter, and I hid my camera in a protective plastic bag, but got quite wet myself;-)

Amazing Victoria Falls

This was welcomingly refreshing
though, as it was really hot (34°).
After strolling through the
souvenir shop and having
some refreshments at the cafe, we headed on to our lodge.
(Another 20km drive on gravel road)

Gorges lodge, built high on the edge of the gorge of the Zambezi river. One could name it 'gorgeous' lodge though as well. The view from the rustic bar and dining area is breathtaking- wow I could enjoy sundowners like this every day.

Zambezi Gorge

Traditional dancers

Before dinner a dance group entertained us with singing and dancing. Thereafter we were served a delicious meal from the very courteous and friendly staff. We retired at 9:30, as this had been a long and eventful day.

Kilometres driven today:  353km

Time taken for excursions: 2hr game drive, 

Vic Falls Park 2.5hrs

Camp Chobe in Nature

Camp Chobe in Nature

Day 9:  26 December

Marvellous sunrise

We awakened at dawn with an orange-pink sunrise over the plains, and were greeted with various bird calls. The masked weavers went to work building their nest, right in front of my entrance door.

Southern masked weaver bird
starts building his nest

A watchman's hut in the maize field

Two guides took us on a guided nature walk, explaining fauna, flora, traditions and many interesting facts to us, pertaining to this area. Hearing about a dedicated 'watchman' which stays overnight in a little hut to watch the maize field - having to chase hippos, elephants and cattle from grazing this crop. Two hours later, arriving back at the camp, we had a good breakfast and then leisure time to explore or rest, relax in the pool or just watch the fascinating nature.

 

Canoe trip on the Chobe River

I am so happy, that we spent a second day at this marvelous camp. This is nourishment for the soul.

Red-necked Falcon in a tree 
along the shore

 After teatime we left in      Canoes, 2 persons in one     together with our Mokoro  (driver/guide), down the Chobe  river, and saw nature from a  completely different  perspective.

                                                                                                           A little crocodile and also a water snake as well as   the  shoreside and reed living birds were the sights. The lodge had prepared sun downers on the shoreside, after an 1/2
 hrs drive upstream. We returned absolutely delighted, to quickly shower and change in time for dinner.

This was a special treat, as we were seated in the boma and had a traditional Namibian dish: Oryx 'potjie' (stew cooked in a black three legged pot over open fire), with maize porridge & rice, accompanied with mixed green salad, and ending with a caramel cake with Amarula sauce.

Special 'dining room' - the boma

Sunset over the Chobe

In the night I heard Hippos crossing the river and 

again the lion roaring. But nonetheless I slept very 

well:-)