| OK, I admit it - I'm soft on Africa. The African bush | | | | post and traveled along the Okavango River |
| is my dream . . . and my passion.Imagine the rolling | | | | southwards to Sehitwa before turning north east to |
| hills shimmering before you in the glow of dawn, the | | | | Maun, the capital of the Okavango Delta.After |
| special golden light at sunset, the incomparable wildlife | | | | stocking up on supplies, we left for our campsite just |
| right next to you, the baobabs withering in the | | | | outside town on the banks of the Thamalakane |
| blistering sun, the camp out in the bush - at these | | | | River. We jumped at the opportunity of a scenic |
| moments you are in contact with the very essence | | | | sundowner flight over the delta, our pilot swooping |
| of your primeval being!I have been on safari in Africa | | | | down low over the herds of animals heading for their |
| many times. It is definitely a favorite destination. This | | | | evening drink.Day 8: Moremi - Okavango Delta |
| particular trip was the highlight of all my African | | | | Early morning we head for Moremi Game Reserve in |
| excursions - a 4X4 12 day camping safari that | | | | the Okavango Delta. The Okavango Delta in |
| started in Windhoek, the beautiful capital of Namibia, | | | | Botswana is one of the last totally unspoiled Wildlife |
| through some of the roughest terrain on the planet | | | | areas in Africa. The unique ecosystem is a labyrinth |
| through like the Okavango Delta in Botswana and up | | | | of lagoons, lakes and hidden channels covering an |
| to Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe.Known to the local | | | | area of over 17,000 square km and the largest inland |
| African tribesman as "Mosi-oa-Tunya" - the smoke | | | | delta in the world. Trapped in the parched Kalahari |
| that thunders - Vic falls are truly a spectacular | | | | sands it is a magnet for the wildlife who depend on |
| site.Remarkably preserved in its natural state and one | | | | the permanent waters of this unique feature. The |
| of the most spectacular natural wonders of the | | | | Okavanga hosts over 400 species of birds, as well as |
| world, the falls inspire magical inspiration to all visitors. | | | | lions, elephants, hyenas, wild dog, buffalo, hippo, |
| At 1708 meters wide and a drop of between 90 - | | | | crocodiles, antelope and many other smaller animals |
| 107 meters, this is the largest curtain of water on | | | | such as warthogs, monkeys, mongoose and |
| earth.The falls and the surrounding area have been | | | | more.We take our time exploring the wetlands and |
| declared National Parks and a World Heritage Site, | | | | its myriad inhabitants en route to our next campsite |
| thus preserving the area from excessive | | | | at Moremi.Day 9: Okavango Delta |
| commercialization. The Falls are spectacular | | | | More game viewing, this time from a dugout canoe - |
| throughout the year, but February onwards, after | | | | known here as a Mokoro. We paddled deep into the |
| the rain season, has the heaviest flow and volume of | | | | delta from Xakanaxa spying all manner of |
| spray.I find that a self drive 4x4 is the best way to | | | | water-bound species on the way - hippos, gigantic |
| explore the natural wonders of Southern Africa. On | | | | crocodiles and more. Shades of Tarzan! Mind boggling |
| this trip we booked a 4X4 campervan which is | | | | to see these animals so close.Day 10: Chobe |
| basically a modified LandRover or other 4X4 with | | | | After an early breakfast we hit the road again. |
| additional gas tanks, gear racks and an unfolding tent | | | | (Never short of food on this trip!)Heading north to |
| on the roof. After picking up our vehicle at the rental | | | | the Mababe Depression, we entered Chobe National |
| depot we set off as part of a convoy led by a | | | | Park at the Mababe gate. A major feature of Chobe |
| qualified guide. While I usually prefer to wander | | | | National Park is its elephant population. These herds |
| around on my own, the terrain here is so rugged and | | | | comprise what is probably the largest surviving |
| so full of wild game, that you are definitely advised | | | | continuous elephant population, currently estimated at |
| to take the guided convoy route.One of the greatest | | | | a totals of some 120,000 elephants. They are also |
| highlights of any Safari is the gin and tonic sundowner | | | | the largest of African elephants, but their tusks are |
| after a hard day in the bush. Roughing it in Africa is | | | | brittle so there are not many huge tuskers among |
| more than a gin and tonic with a bottled lime juice | | | | them. The elephant population has built up steadily in |
| instead of fresh, however. This is no pussycat trip; | | | | recent years and has largely escaped the illegal ivory |
| this is hardcore Africa... everyone is expected to pitch | | | | hunters of the 1970s and 80s.The herds are |
| in and help, even if it means dragging the 4x4 out of | | | | migratory, making seasonal movements of up to 200 |
| the mud. We did - one of our team-mates got stuck | | | | kms from the Chobe and Linyati rivers where they |
| in the fine sand - and we made it with the broadest | | | | concentrate in the dry season to the pans in the |
| smiles we've ever had.Starting from Windhoek, a | | | | southeast to which they migrate during the wet |
| perfectly preserved German colonial style town | | | | season.After an extremely pleasant day of game |
| (Namibia was formerly German South West Africa), | | | | watching we moved on to our campsite at Savuti. |
| every day of this trip held a new and different thrill. | | | | The Chobe river valley practically swarms with |
| From big game, bushmen tribes-people and | | | | elephants. Most of the day they are scattered |
| spectacular natural wonders, this trip still makes my | | | | around the hillsides surrounding the valley, and as the |
| heart sing!Day 1: Windhoek | | | | sun begins to sink towards the horizon, they descend |
| We flew into Windhoek on South African Airways' | | | | to the valley in their hundreds to swim, roll in the |
| morning flight from Johannesburg. After picking up | | | | mud, eat and socialise. After pitching camp in the late |
| our 4X4 and meeting with our guide and some of our | | | | afternoon we moved down to the riverbed to await |
| tour mates, we spent the rest of the day exploring | | | | the arrival of our elephant friends for their evening |
| this great little city. A combination of modern and | | | | sundowner. We didn't have too long to wait. They |
| German colonial style architecture, this slightly | | | | were soon crossing the river in droves, in both |
| provincial city is quite neat and clean.The influence of | | | | directions. This carried on for an hour or two, until |
| German language and culture is still very much | | | | both banks were liberally covered in elephants of all |
| apparent, with plenty German-style restaurants and | | | | sizes, from this year's calves through to a few who |
| other cultural remnants. Although English is the official | | | | must have been upwards of 50 years of age. Can |
| language, German can be used just about | | | | you picture this? It was happening right in front of us! |
| anywhere.Day 2: Etosha - Okaukuejo | | | | Absolutely amazing.Day 11: Chobe |
| After a light breakfast we left bright and early on | | | | The memories of last night's elephant lingers on into |
| the main highway north from Windhoek.Passing | | | | the early morning .....Today we were awakened by |
| through Otjowarongo we arrived at the Etosha | | | | the unique waking of a Fish Eagle perched on the |
| National Park. Before setting up camp for the night | | | | tree behind our campervan. What can beat that? We |
| we went on a sun-downer game drive. Later in the | | | | traveled further north through the Chobe Forest |
| evening we sat on the banks of the floodlit | | | | Reserve to Ihaha. We saw ample game along the |
| waterhole bordering the camp, watching the animals | | | | way - warthogs and waterbuck predominate. At |
| coming in to drink.Day 3: Etosha - Namutoni | | | | days end we camp on the Chobe River bank after a |
| A full day of game viewing today, and our first | | | | game drive along the river.Day 12: Victoria Falls - |
| glimpse of lion and rhino not 10 meters from our | | | | Lodge |
| campervan. What a fantastic sight. At day's end we | | | | Our final day here in the wild - and we're on our |
| reached Namutoni, our camp site for the night.Day 4: | | | | way to the smoke that thunders - or Vic Falls, |
| Tsumkwe | | | | discovered by David Livingstone back in 1855.We |
| Exiting the Etosha National Park we headed east via | | | | cover the 130 kms in 4 hours and arrive at the falls |
| Tsumeb and Grootfontein to Tsumkwe in the heart | | | | at noon. Not much seems to have changed here |
| of Bushman land. The cultural experience of a visit to | | | | since Livingstone's time. The falls are a national |
| a bushman village is quite indescribable, so I won't | | | | heritage sight and so are relatively uncommercialized. |
| even try. But make sure you don't miss it on your | | | | We quickly returned our vehicles to the depot and |
| tour.Day 5: Khaudum | | | | made a beeline for our lodge and a nice long bath. |
| Following an off-road track of deep and loose sand, | | | | What a luxury! The rest of the day and most of the |
| we head north into the Khaudum Game Reserve. | | | | next we spent absorbing the grandeur of the falls, |
| Another day to enjoy game viewing.Day 6: Popa Falls | | | | and finally headed to the airport to catch our plane |
| An early start as we headed out before dawn for a | | | | back to Johannesburg and civilization.If you're after |
| game drive in the area of our camp before heading | | | | hardcore Africa - this West African Safari is |
| further north to Popa Falls. We managed to track a | | | | definitely the ULTIMATE African experience!Get |
| pride of lions stalking their prey, but were not able to | | | | more out-of the way travel ideas at http//: Rosen is |
| view the kill. Continuing north, in the afternoon we | | | | a professional traveller and travel writer. He travels |
| visited the falls and the Mahango Game Reserve.Day | | | | the world several times a year in search of the |
| 7: Maun | | | | perfect travel adventure. |
| We crossed into Botswana at the Mohembo border | | | | |