April 7 – 11, 2024 Botswana

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April 7, 2024 - Arriving in Botswana and our first drive in the Chobe River park.

We arrived at the Maun airport and were met by Bobby who would be our guide and driver for the next two days. He said we would do a private bush drive this afternoon. The drive to the Sanctuary Chobe Chilwero was about 15 minutes, though it was delayed by a van coming out as we were coming in. Being only one lane we had to back up quite a way to find a place where the two vans could pass each other. We finally made it to the Sanctuary, a beautiful building. We were met and orientated to the grounds and then shown to our room. We are in Villa #1, furthest from the lodge. Again they suggest an escort during the night. We settled in, lunch at 12:30 and then we will head out for a drive at 4:00.

The drive was more interesting than I thought it would be. Because the Chobe River Park is a national park, the vehicle had to stay on the “roads” such as they are and we could not leave the vehicle. Nevertheless, we did find some interesting birds down along the river. We saw storks (no babies), and other types of birds. Then we saw some Elephants and finally came upon some Lions snacking on a Giraffe. They had evidently killed it a couple of days ago, we were down wind, and were still feasting on it. There were a few females and cups and a young male or two.

April 8, 2024 - A river cruise in the morning

This morning, we drove down to an area, to call it a harbor or dock would be generous, to board a boat for a cruise up the Chobe River. The river is characterized by many grassy islands that have been formed over many years by layers of grasses and mud from the river. They are “home” or environments for the many birds and wildlife in the area. We passed many Hippos and Buffalo, and many, many, many different bird species. Some I remember, but others will just have to rely on the pictures. We did catch up to several Crocodiles of various sizes. Eventually, Bobby did see in the far distance some Elephants by the river. We headed further upriver to watch them. There were several families along the banks of the river with many young. Some looked as if they were less than a month or two. At times, the big female seemed to be sizing us up to be sure we were no threat to her family. There were also several bird species and small Crocodiles along the banks. We some coffee and snacks and then headed back to the dock and back to the lodge for lunch. 

April 8, 2024 - An afternoon drive in the Chobe River Park.

The afternoon drive, once again, started at 4:00. Today we were joined by another couple from Australia. Bobby said he wanted to head toward the dock we went to this morning before heading to the park as he had heard that Lions had been spotted there. On the way, the skies opened up and it started to pour! We put on rain ponchos, but these really did not help much. Needless to say we got soaked, and we did not see the Lions. We then headed back to the park in hopes of seeing some Lions and Elephants. We passed some Warthogs, and many Impala, but no Elephants. We came upon a few young male Lions laying behind some bushes. We then headed to a place where we could have some drinks and snacks. We all toasted with the Botswana toast of “Pula”. That is what they say for many things including calling for rain, which was unnecessary today. We packed up and headed for the exit but on the way came upon a couple of Giraffes. They are beautiful if ungainly animals. They walk like camels with the front and back legs of the same side moving together. 

April 9, 2024 - Moremi Game Reserve and the Xigera Safari Lodge

This morning we head to the Delta region. We boarded a small, 12 passenger, Cessna Caravan for the flight. The first leg was a little over an hour to another small airstrip in the Delta region. After about 15 minutes on the ground, time for most passengers to disembark and gather their luggage, we took off for a 15-minute flight to another small gravel airstrip that is for Xigara guests. There were three vehicles waiting for us, and the other couple on the plane. We met Mr. T, our guide and driver for the next few days. He is called Mr. T because his name is Telsia, We drove a few minutes to the lodge and were greeted, as is custom, by the staff with warm wet towels. We were shown around the lodge and then to our suite the Fan Palm suite, which is number 1 and again seemed to be the furthest from the lodge. They told us it was the honeymoon suite because of the deck.

We returned to the main lodge for High tea, skipping lunch. We then joined Mr. T for an afternoon safari drive. The environment here is quite different from the other locals we have been in. It is mostly grassland spread out. The clouds seem to form a ceiling with the grass and trees below. We passed the “Tree House” you can rent for a night to stay out in the grasslands to watch the animals at night. I figured it’s not air conditioned and we are usually in bed by 9:00 for a wakeup call at 5:00 so I did not see the point.

As we continued on we found a lone Lion sleeping under a tree. Mr. T had heard from the radio that a Leopard had been spotted so we went in search but found not one but two Leopards, a cub and its’ mother. The cub had obviously been cut by something just behind its neck. We followed along as the two moved through the grass to a clump of trees and beyond. Eventually we moved on and passed some Wildabeast, Impala and Zebras before heading back to the Lodge for a shower and dinner.

April 10, 2024 our morning drive

This morning was an early start, up at 5:00 for our morning drive. Mr. T met us at our suite as the sun had not come up yet. We picked up a mug of coffee and off we went. Our first effort was to find some Lions. We spotted a female walking through the grasses. She was heading to a watering hole where she drank her fill, then headed back from where she came, probably to protect her cubs. Mr. T said they were hiding under a building by the airstrip.

We continued on, passing some Wildabeasts and some Impala, and found a pride of 7 young Lions lying in the grass by a tree. As the sun came up they moved to the other side to be in the shade.

We moved on and found a lone Giraffe in the trees. And later spotted 6 giraffes in a clump of trees. After that we saw a “dazzle” of Zebra and later a wild dog running along the tall grasses. After about 4 hours, we headed back to the lodge.

April 10, 2024 and afternoon drive

Mr. T. mentioned that a Cheetah had been sited but far away. We would have to hurry if we were going to make it back in time for the special dinner that had been planned for 7:00. So, we barreled down the dirt paths bumping and twisting as we went faster than I had previously thought these vehicles, or Lorries, as Mr. T. said they were called, could go. Along the way, we stopped to watch some Elephants. It took about 40 minutes to get to the area where we began looking for signs of the animal. We did see a leopard, but that was not what we came for. There were two other lorries there as well, all searching. Eventually the others found the Cheetahs in the grassy area. We drove over to watch these beautiful animals.

Back at the lodge a quick wash up and then to dinner which was in the Boma. There was a fire and a grill set up with tables all around.  After dinner, the staff entertained with songs and dance. 

April 11, 2024 a morning drive

Mr. T mentioned that there had been a spotting of a male lion in the area we were headed for. We did not find him at first but joined two other lorries watching two lionesses with four cups. They were jumping and playing with each other. Fun to watch. We heard the call of a male lion somewhere in the distance and went in search. Eventually we found him in the grass some distance away.

We stopped to watch some Hippos, and on the other side of the water were some Antelope.

April 11, 2024 - our last safari drive (for now)

Mr. T met us and we left just before 4:00. We headed out with no specific goal, other than at some time to check on the lions and the cubs. We passed some elephants and kudu. We got some pics of some birds. We did find the lionesses and their cubs resting in the shade. The little one seemed to be keeping an eye on us. After a while we continued to where the Hippos were and there the lodge had set up a bar and some chairs for us to watch the sunset over the water.

After our cocktials we headed back to the lodge for dinner. Then back to our room to pack and get ready for our travel day tomorrow, the first leg of our trip back home!

2 thoughts on “April 7 – 11, 2024 Botswana”

  1. Michael Stern

    What an incredible journey! Thanks for all the wonderful pics and informative commentary.

  2. Maizie

    Wow! Thank you! I had the best time enjoying your blog! Wishing you & Cathy continued safe travels!

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