Thursday 30 August 2012

Southern Okavango, Botswana

I’d had such an amazing time during the last few days in Vumbura.

As our charter plane climbed into the air, I looked out of the window to see the concession for one last time. The view was jaw-dropping. The beautiful landscape was littered with acacia trees. Elephants and hippos sunbathed in the Delta channels. It was idyllic.

After twenty minutes or so of taking in this breath-taking scenery, my daydreams were rudely interrupted by the pilot, who announced that we had arrived at Chitabe concession. This was to be the final stopover on our travels. We would spend the next couple of days here before heading back home.

The Chitabe concession is situated at the southern edge of the Okavango Delta; right on the borders of the Moremi game reserve. During the rainy season, this area of the Delta is completely flooded. At the time of our arrival, however, the floodplains were already receding. As the waterholes began to dry up, the animals started to congregate more densely. This meant that there was an abundance of wildlife in the area.


Map of Concession




By the time we reached our camp, it was mid-afternoon. The staff were at the entrance waiting for our arrival. They chorused, “Du me la!” which means “Welcome” in Tswana.

After quick introductions, we went to our hut, got freshened-up and headed out again. For the next three days, we continued to soak-up the beauties of the Botswana wilderness and all it had to offer.

There were plenty of wildebeest, zebras and impalas surrounding us.


A giraffe feeding on the acacia tree.

A mother elephant and her calf.

A Greater Kudu.

We were rewarded with more leopard sightings! How lucky!








Lastly, a male baboon.

All too soon, our Botswana odyssey was over. Whilst I was undeniably sad, I was grateful for the memories which I would take with me. Not only had I experienced incredible wildlife sightings, but to have personally spent time in the spectacular Okavango Delta was the epitome of bliss!

Stay tune for the upcoming posts on Tanzania and Kenya. Watch this space.

6 comments:

Finn said...

That baboon is staring right through me! I love these pictures. What a trip of a lifetime.

Molly the Airedale said...

Your pictures are just incredible!

Love ya lots,
Mitch and Molly

How Sam Sees It said...

I love the last picture - what a face!

I can't believe you saw so many wonderful animals.

Sam

Murray's Mouth said...

Hi Homer! First time stopping by! You have a pretty exciting life!

diätplan said...

good post

Unknown said...

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WOW! What a cool post all the pictures of animals are looking good but lion is my favorite and his pic is just mind blowing.