19th - Livingstone, I presume?

Early in the morning at 0530 we were picked up to go on a morning game drive in Chobe NP. We saw plenty of animals, none we hadn’t seen before, and unfortunately no cats even though we saw several lion tracks and a spot where a leopard had been seen the day before.

Coming back to the camp at 0930-ish we had a quick breakfast before driving an hour to reach to border to Zambia. First we checked out of Botswana, took a ferry 5 minutes across the Zambezi River, got into Zambia, got our visas and in the end fighting ourselves through hordes of salespeople (which we actually never – except from here – really had any issues with).

Back on the road we aimed for Livingstone and a couple of hours later we arrived as planned. We didn’t stop but continued on to Victoria Falls where we spent a couple of hours admiring the sights and having a walk.

Going back to Livingstone we found our camp site, established the tents and went for a sunset boat ride. The name of the ride, the Booze Cruise, sounded more dangerous than it actually was. The concept was a sunset cruise with game watching including dinner and a free bar for 2-3 hours. We all enjoyed the trip, some significantly more than others, but firmly back on land we ended up in the resort’s bar where we spent the rest of the evening and half the night.

This night was also the last night we would have with this group, hence the more than average intake of alcohol. The trip I’m on is in reality two trips; one from Johannesburg to Livingstone, and one going from Livingstone to Johannesburg. This site is where 3 different G trips converge (Cape Town – Livingstone, Nairobi – Livingstone and Johannesburg – Livingstone, with the two former taking the same path back and forth and the latter (my trip) following a circular route with Livingstone being the middle point), and people mix up, change trucks, arrive and leave, depending on where they will be going next (e.g. Nairobi – Cape Town, Johannesburg – Nairobi etc.). In total we are 5 people doing the Johannesburg – Livingstone – Johannesburg trip, and after being 22 up until Livingstone we will now only be 20.

Some of the elephants got awfully close that morning.

Warthog.

Hippos having a rest.

Victoria Falls.

The border crossing to Zimbabwe - and also where they do bungie jumping.

Victoria Falls.

Crocodile close-up in the evening.

18th - I’m on a boat!

Out next destination was 6 hours’ drive away and we were supposed to be there for lunch which meant that we had to leave the camp at 0600 in the morning. A couple of people had been visiting the camp’s bar the previous night so some of them were struggling a little more than usual when getting up – but despite this the departure from the camp went as scheduled.

Driving was eventless and at lunch we arrived and set up camp.

A couple hours after arriving in the early afternoon we went on a cruise on the Chobe River from where we saw a lot of elephants, hippos, crocs, buffalo, monkeys, baboons plenty of birdlife, a couple of giraffes and a single monitor lizard. Being advertised as a sunset cruise the last minutes of the trip meant that we had a good view of the sun setting over the plains.

Coming back to the camp we had an amazing spaghetti bolognaise. It doesn’t sound very local, but Jaco adding a couple of local things into it including some various spices and herbs made it an absolutely overwhelming meal. The best part was the dessert he had conjured up; a cheesecake with pistachios and mint.

Having the Chobe River going right past the camp we were standing in Botswana looking across the river into Zimbabwe.

(Another) elephant.

A something-something bird.

I believe these are young kudus.

Baboon.

Crocodile.

Elephants crossing the river.

Giraffes.

Monitor lizard.

Hippo.

Sacred ibis.

17th - Back on the mainland

Despite our alternative camp morning routine was the usual business; pack bags and tents, breakfast, pack foodstuffs. Then we had it all loaded onto the canoes – luckily we were back to the original stable canoe again – and we were off to get past the buffalo fence to change to the motorized boats. The change was made without issues and on the ride back to the truck we saw more birds and crocodiles. After the usual 1½ hours we were back, the truck was quickly packed and we were off again going north.

This drive wasn’t as long as the first ones, though, so before 1500 we had arrived at our new site and set up camp. This gave us some time to ourselves where we had the chance to utilize the pool at the site or just generally hang out and relax. Jaco, crazy as usual, climbed the tallest baobab tree and had a couple from the group join him. None of them got as high up as he did, but seeing him climb and jump around in the tree it was obvious he had been doing this most of his life.

The rest of the evening was calm. That is – until Jaco took out his whip and started playing around with it. Showing some impressive skill it didn’t take long until Callum – one of the group members – got up with a twig in his mouth and asked to have it whipped out. Afterwards he admitted it was one of the scariest things he had ever done. In any case it was a source of great entertainment.

Fish eagle.

Saddle-billed stork.

Pelicans.

See that small speck in the top of the tree? That's Jaco.

Callum (left) getting increasingly nervous the closer Jaco gets with his whip.

16th - Into the Delta!

Getting up early we followed the usual procedures, but instead of packing the truck we carried all resources and day packs down to the boats that would take us into the Delta. We had 3 boats available and soon after we were on our way down the river towards the buffalo fence that surrounds the “main” part of the Delta. This short trip was app. 1½ hours and on our way we got to see several crocodiles and general birdlife.

At our destination we had everyone and everything moved into the small mokoro canoes. They are powered solely by a poler standing in the back pushing the canoe forward, the exact principle as with the gondolas in Venice. The poles were 5-6 meters long, but they rarely used the entire length of the poles. This part of the trip also took a couple of hours, and we soon arrived at our final destination where we set up camp.

Lunch was set up after which we had a couple of hours by ourselves for relaxation before going on our bush walk. Some of this time was spent swimming near the camp, and our guide Jaco showed some amazing tree-climbing skills getting to the top of a nearby tree in an almost inhuman speed.

When leaving for the bush walk we had a short distance by canoes. We weren’t put on the same canoes nor had the same poler, which resulted in us getting a very unstable one. Within minutes we were already feeling it in our legs as we were constantly tense. It wasn’t much better when going back, but at that point we had realized that despite the lack of stability we wouldn’t tip over. On the way to the walk we got to see a hippo and on the way back we had a great view of the sun set.

For the walk we were split into 4 smaller groups going in different directions. On our 2½ hour walk we ended up seeing an elephant (and scull), zebras, wildebeest, antelopes of various kinds and lots of birds. Even if we never got close to any of the animals it was quite an experience looking for wildlife on foot in their own territory.

Back at camp we had dinner and after finishing the meal (including the local polers who were camping with us) the locals gave us a show of some of their many songs. Returning the favour we ended up spending the evening singing/dancing/goofing around, which all in all was a hoot.

Sneaky crocodile.

On our way into the Delta.

Plenty of these birds.

Hippo keeping an eye on us...

Impalas under a tree.

Pied kingfisher.

Zebras. Also keeping an eye on us...

Sunset in the Delta.

15th - Arriving at the Okavango Delta

Getting up early we left the camp at 0600. That was the plan, at least. We were getting increasingly worried that our driver was not able to start the bus due to the cold temperatures during the night. Luckily after the n’th attempt the truck came to life and we were off, only half an hour late.

We followed in the footsteps of the day before and started out with a 6 hour drive. We finally reached Maun where we had time for shopping (if needed), bathroom break (oh God that was needed!) and lunch.

We were then split into groups and those who wanted went on an hour’s flight over the Delta. My group ended up in a small 5-passenger plane so there was no room for the 50-500mm lens. But as we were flying as low as 100-130m the long zoom wasn’t really missed at any time. We ended up seeing quite a few elephants, buffalos and antelopes, and also a few hippos and giraffes.

Arriving back at the airport we waited for the rest to return after which we drove to our new campsite, only 10-ish minutes from the airport.

Tomorrow we will pack for a daytrip into the Delta where we will stay the night without contact with the outside world. It will be great; I just need to figure out how to transport boots/sleeping bag the easiest way considering there is no room in my camera bag for it. My transport bag for my back pack will probably have to do.

The inside of the truck.

The Delta from above.

Yup - small plane.

Elephants!

And the pilot liked flying low...

More elephants!

14th - Departure

We left the lodge early in the morning – 0700 – to start the longest drive of the trip.

Not much happened on the drive, we had a pit stop where we could buy supplies (snacks) but nothing else before reaching the border out of South Africa at 1300-ish. After maybe half an hour we had all had our passports stamped and a few minutes’ drive later we arrived to the Botswana border. Here the process was identical, with the only difference that the stamp proved that we were allowed into the country.

After a quick pack lunch we continued on and at around 1630 we arrived at Khama Rhino Sanctuary and our campsite. Camp was set, food was made, fire was made and at around 2000 people were surprised it wasn’t later than it was as we began feeling ready going to sleep.

My tent mate is another Dane in the group, Tobias, from Århus.

Tomorrow we will be departing at app. 0530-0600-ish to make it to Maun not too late with a 6 hour drive. Here we will be able to get a flight over the Okavango Delta before entering it by canoe the following day, and otherwise just relax and set camp when we all are gathered again.

The truck. Jaco is seen bent over getting ready for cooking dinner.

The camp site.

Second confirmation

... and shortly after this year's first confirmation the first trip of the year (for now...) was also confirmed.

12th of July

Departure from Copenhagen

13th of July

Arrival in Johannesburg after a short layover in Frankfurt. Looking forward to it - second leg is with an A380!

14th - 15th of July

Going north into Botswana we aim for Khama Rhino Sanctuary, including a visit of nearby villages Serowe and Maun.

16th of July

Further north we end up at the Okavango Delta where we will spend time in a bush camp where we will be going on game walks and getting around in mokoros, a traditional dug-out canoe.

17th - 18th of July

A quick trip back to Maun where we pick up any luggage we didn't bring to the delta and we continue on to Gweta, located in Makgadikgadi Pans National Park, apparently a great place to see some beautiful sunsets. We continue on to Chobe National Park which can boast of having the largest elephant population in Southern Africa.

19th - 20th of July

We cross the Zembezi river and enter Zambia to go to Livingstone. Here we will have access to various activities, including the Victoria Falls.

21st - 22nd of July

Crossing into Zimbabwe, going to Bulawayo which will function as our base when visiting Matobo National Park. We will be exploring the national park by both foot and open safari vehicles. Among many other things it will be possible to see both white and black rhinos.

23rd - 25th of July

Going back south back into South Africa we spend a single night in Musina before going to Kruger National Park.

26th of July

Return to Johannesburg.

27th - 28th of July

Return back home, same route as before. Including the A380.