Eggbert's Travels

Friday 2nd March

SHE SAID:

We were off on our first 4wd safari at 6am, along with 4 Italians. The go-anywhere trucks are high off the ground, and great for animal spotting. 

We were lucky enough to see lions and a Hyena first thing in the morning. As well as Impala, Kudu, and Warthogs the new to us animals were Black-backed Jackals, Giraffe and Zebra.

We returned to the lodge for lunch at 11.30am, then had down time till 3pm. But it was pouring with rain at 3pm, so the trip was called off around half way to the park. Geoff and l were keen to return despite the rain, so at 4pm it had eased off and our guide agreed to take us. The Italians bailed, so we got a private drive. 

We saw heaps of elephants; one took a shine to Geoff and mock-charged the 4wd (a little frightening!). More new beasts were seen including Banded Mongoose, Puku antelope, Vervet Monkeys and Baboons, then at the end, more lions.

Lions.....

Add caption

Spotted Hyena (used to be called the Laughing Hyena)

The lions were watching the Hyena come down to the
water, but were too far away to try for a kill

Large herds of Impala everywhere 

Little Bee-eater 

Male Impala 

Martial Eagle

Chacma Baboons

Southern Carmine bee-eater

Southern Red-billed Hornbill

Female Kudu

Geoff's "friendly" charging Elephant 

Millipede 

Our room at Bakwena Lodge 

Bakwena Lodge deck overlooking the Chobe River

Lounge and bar area at Bakwena Lodge 

Warthogs 

Giraffe

African Golden Oriole

Morning Tea stop with Archie 

Cape Starling

Kori Bustard

Lilac-breasted Roller 

Black-backed Jackals 

Hammerkop

Aren't I cute...

Banded Mongoose 

Tree Squirrel 

Puku Antelope 

HE SAID:

Well I had a bit of a fright this arvo. Never having been charged by a trumpeting elephant before I was unsure what would happen. There were quite a few elephants near us, and we had been told that when they are getting narky they stare at you and spread their ears wide. So this staring, spread-eared, tusked beast started running at the truck, but it felt like he was looking right at me. The driver was a bit concerned too, as he restarted the engine and shoved it into gear in a hurry!

Luckily this elephant stopped several metres short, glared at us, then ran off to rejoin several others frolicking and splashing about the nearby river. The driver said later that it appeared he was one of a bunch of juvenile males, and was showing off. Whew!