Today we were leaving Livingstone, and travelling back to Botswana and the Chobe.  We packed, and had breakfast. We met the NZ ladies who had enjoyed their microlight flights. Victoria Falls looked spectacular this morning with very tall plumes of spray. We were picked up for the trip to Botswana, stopping at another hotel to load on more passengers.

Crossing the Zambezi

We drove along excellent roads (Buckinghamshire County Council, please take note) to Kazungula where we crossed the Zambezi. The four countries of Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Namibia meet here. Our passports were taken, stamped and given back.  While we waited for our passports, we spotted an old Aylesbury Dayla truck.  There were huge queues of trucks on both sides of the river. Apparently trucks had to wait up to five days before they could cross. There was a Korean construction company building a bridge connecting Zambia and Botswana.  There were three or four vehicle ferries operating.  We left our vehicle and guide, crossed on a small boat and were met by a new guide and safari vehicle.  Immigration was quick, tourists and VIPs bypass all the queues. Rather embarrassing to sweep past so many other people.

Arriving at Kasane

We drove the short distance to Kasane, dropping off some of our party at different hotels.  We arrived at the Chobe Safari Lodge.  The  lodge is a very smart looking place. Our room was not ready, so we confirmed our activity bookings. This seemed a rather tedious process of writing out lots of vouchers. We were taken to our huge room. Unpacked and then had a beer.

Chobe River Cruise

At three o’clock we boarded the river boat for our cruise. Issac was the guide, and was very enthusiastic.  Here the river Chobe is the border between Botswana and Namibia. The river was flooded at this time of year, and very wide. We travelled upstream where we spotted many Elephant in the water along with Hippo. In their summer, there can be thousands of Ellie.

The river was alive with birds, Jacana, Squacco Herons, Pygmy Geese, White Fronted Bee Eaters, Pied Kingfishers, Malachite Kingfishers, Fish Eagles, Cattle Egrets, Egyptian Geese. On the land we spotted Water Buffaloes,  Impala, and Crocodiles, small and large.

The end of the cruise took us near the Namibian border and the Chobe Water Villas.  Passing here we drank our G&Ts watching the sun disappear over the Namibian border.

Dinner

Back at the lodge we showered and had dinner.  Dinner was a large buffet with plenty of choice.  Somehow we both felt the camp food cooked in the bush was better.