Okavango Delta, Botswana

July 14, 2011

Usual wake up time of 6 AM, breakfast and then heading out for morning safari at 7 AM. Still searching for the elusive leopard....

Saw quite a few giraffe. Lincoln called the male giraffe's penis a "belly button." We also spotted a male Meyer's parrot, steenbok, zebras, cape buffalo, wildebeest and tsessebe. But, the definite highlight of the morning drive was the 5 lions stalking a herd of about 100 buffalo. At first we thought they were all crossing the track in front of us because we were approaching, but then they seemed to pick up their pace. It wasn't too long after that that we saw the reason. First one female lion appeared, then 2, then 3, 4 and 5 (young males and females). I managed to catch the last 2 buffalo sprinting for freedom in a cloud of dust, with one of the female lions in pursuit. (Note to the reader: cape buffalo are like the marines - no one is ever left behind (until it is evident that they are taking their last breath). Cape buffalo are a very difficult prey for the lion because when one buffalo is attacked, the others will come to its aid. Lions can track buffalo for 1-2 days straight and walk away empty handed.

Cape buffalo stampede as 5 very hungry, young male lions give chase.

Two of the lions check back to see if there are any stragglers.

Wildebeest herd.

Meyers parrot.

I can never get enough pictures of the kudu's ears.

Mom and baby zebra.

Mom and baby giraffe.

Mongoose take up residence in
an abandoned termite mound.

Because a part of every OAT trip involves learning and discovery, we had a discussion of the Botswana elephant population problem after lunch. Very intriguing problem with no easy or affordable solution in sight.

When we attempted to return to our tents after our discussion, we were blocked on the boardwalk by a male elephant, pruning the trees outside Shelly and Pamela's tent. It was so dangerously close that they had to wait for it to leave so they could get to the front tent flaps safely. We were laughing at how large its penis became - almost looking like a fifth leg! All kinds of jokes followed that observation. At one point, Vitalis told Shelly to take off her salmon-colored sweatshirt because the elephant might charge her. She laughed and said she had nothing on underneath, so there was no way she was going to take off that sweatshirt. Vitalis also told me to take off my white T-shirt for the same reason. I did because I had my blue capilene thermal underwear underneath. Earlier I had to explain to Vitalis what we meant by thermal underwear, so once I took off my T-shirt, I told him he just said that to me so he could see my thermal underwear. Later on, that same elephant came next door to our place and I was able to use the wide angle lens to show just how close it was to the back of our tent, just outside the window near our toilet (probably couldn't continue further because of the smell) ha ha!

Male elephant pulling down major branches to get food

just outside Pam and Shelly's tent.

Same elephant coming next door, looking for Iris and Barb.

Just about ready to come onto the front porch
where our 2 chairs were.

At 3 PM, the female staff took us on a quick tour of the kitchen. We could not believe that such incredible food and extraordinary bread/muffins/scones emerged from such a simple, rustic kitchen. Our kitchen tour was followed by a detailed discussion of the Okavango Delta by Mozilla, one of our guides, then an evening safari.

Kay points out the menu for our 3-day stay.

Hard to believe that such simple materials produce

such incredibly delicious meals.

When we returned to camp, we were treated to another bush dinner featuring incredible foods, another dance-off (this time we were defeated even more soundly. I am beginning to think that having a fantastic voice and outstanding dance moves are 2 basic requirements for working as camp staff). A wonderful time was had by all.