The next day, Wednesday, 8/19 was spent visiting Chobe National Park in Botswana after passing through immigration for Zambia and Botswana. Our guide for viewing the park was a jovial man with a big smile named Moyta. Chobe is different from Kruger National Park and Hiuhluwe-Imfolazi Game Reserve as we were closer to the water which presented another way to search for wildlife. This area is the Four Corners of Africa where the nations of Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe come together.
This day was my last chance to spot a leopard, the only one of the Big 5 I had not seen. The first leopard was spotted under the shade of a tree near a young elephant that had died of natural causes. The second leopard was high up in a tall tree with the prey he had captured for his feast. My Big 5 sightings were now complete!
The Park is noted for its large elephant population estimated to be 40,000 to 50,000. Many water crossings of the elephants were observed as well as the presence of many hoofed animals, fish eagles, storks, hippos, and wild boars. My favorite was the sighting of 10 giraffes including several babies. Also seen were numerous baby elephants with their mothers nursing and following wherever their Moms chose to go...A morning drive and an afternoon boat trip with lunch in between made for a perfect day for my final African experience which was truly magical!
Upon our return from Botswana across the river to Zambia, the vendors hawking their goods were waiting for us. One of them whom I had spoken with earlier was wearing an Arizona Diamondbacks jersey. I purchased one of his copper bracelets for $5 and the rest pursued me until I entered our waiting vehicle and gestured no more buying! I must say I appreciate their determination. Customs/immigration stops are really fascinating observing the number of people trying to cross to conduct their daily business. I was especially interested to learn that the tractor trailer truck units must wait for their turn to cross on the ferry which only carries 2 units and runs just 3 times per day. I counted the line of trucks on our return from Botswana and with 55 truck units in line the wait will take many weeks. It seems patience is a mandatory requirement to operate as a trucker in Africa! A bridge is planned to be built within the next 5 years...
My visit to Africa was truly awesome and amazing with memories and experiences which will last a lifetime! Make plans to go visit for yourself and you will fall in love with the place, the people, and beautiful creatures, big and small!
The response from Adventure Life to my first inquiry was prompt and promising. I worked with Jamie Broeckel, Trip Planner, via text, email, and phone calls- always extremely responsive and thorough with information and explaining the process to arrange a private tour for me to Malaysia Borneo. Within about week, the booking was complete and I made decisions because of Jamie's great customer service , friendly manner, and overall competence on behalf of the company's travel expertise. Now I have an itinerary, additional Trip Planner Assistants, several links for vital information for traveling to Maylasia, etc. Still many details for Sept. trip, but now the heavy lifting is done and I can enjoy the rest of the anticipation and research!! Thanks Jamie- you are amazing!!!!
Susan Campo
3 days ago
The trip was not only memorable for the amount of animals we saw but also for the people and accommodations at the two camps where we stayed. Our first guide, BK, was a wealth of information about the animals, landscape and down to the plants and what they were used for. Everyday out was a learning experience with him. All the people at the camps were gracious and the food was excellent.
Our second camp in the Okavanga was just as good as the first as far as the staff, accommodations, food and animals. After our experience at the first camp we amazed that the high quality remained the same. Our guide, G, made sure we were able to enjoy every experience including a rush through the bush to witness a cheetah and an ensuing hunt that he heard over his radio.
In both camps there were enough guides out that if they saw something the other guides were informed which helped in seeing as much as possible. It was also nice that the concessions were large enough that we did not have vehicles following each other throughout the day.
Normally there is always something in a trip of this length that we think could be improved upon but this is the rare case where we cannot think of anything. From the time we left the States to when we returned it was one of the most hassle free vacations we took.
Perhaps emphasizing the use of the laundry facilities at the camps would be useful because of the luggage restrictions would be the only thing I can think of as an improvement to future clients.
Kenneth Dropek
4 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.