28^th Fly to Kasane then to The Caprivi Strip, Namibia

We had a nice relaxed morning where we went to the café with free wi-fi to post a few pictures. Then remembered we had almost run out of Botswani Pula (money).  The word Pula means rain – and as rain is their most important thing, they named the money after it. 

We scratched up all of the Pula (850) we had and worked out we could afford two egg and bacon breakfasts and a coffee (as Sarah is still trying to find a decent cup). When the bill came it was about 320 pula – about $4.50.  We had food and change.

The flight to Kasane was nice and uneventful. They did give bag of BilTong as their snacks. We arrived in Kasane to be met and collected by our pick-up.  As we were driving from the airport we saw baboons walking into town and where struck by how much the area looked like the Africa we had expected.

We went to Botswana Immigration to leave the country and head over to Namibia.  The office was a tiny building where we did our paper work. It was then walking out through the wire gate, down a dirt track to a jetty and into a speedboat, to meet Anton, our guide. The boat took us about a kilometer down river where we jumped out, with our passports, and were pointed up a rocky bush track. “Up the hill and turn left at the Baobab tree.” It was about a kilometre inland and was a tiny tiny building. So we were officially in Namibia. Back to the speedboat and further down stream on the mighty Chobe River. 

The river narrowed to a thin rocky section above the rapids as we pulled into the Ichingo River Lodge. This was one of the places where we were roughing it. Sleeping in a tent. And you should have seen the tent!!!

About 4 meters by 10 meters – double skin, on a timber platform with a large front deck, full bathroom, electricity (when the generator was on) beds and wardrobes, bed lamps, etc. We ran around our room oh-ing and ahhh-ing, then went down for lunch.  The main common areas were built around the edge of the bank, and the rocky, fast flowing section just up from the rapids. The sound was fantastic. After a lovely lunch it was “what would you like to do now?” time.

We opted to go on a game drive – in a speedboat. Sensational. We went back up river into the Chobe National Park.  Boarded by the Chobe river and the massive floodplains. Three hours later our heads were nearly exploding.

Elephants – in their hundreds – marching along in their lines; standing out grazing. Some in herds of 40; some in two’s and threes.

Hippos – in the water eating; in the shallows sleeping. On the banks grazing; way back in the flat areas grazing.

Puku, Red (lychee-something-we-cant remember quite yet), Impala,

Fish Eagles catching fish, Kingfishers catching fish

Crocs, Water monitors, and more.

The day before we arrived some of the people from our lodge were out watching a group of five young lions. The lions came across a (stupid) lone Buffalo on the shore and decided to catch it. They stalked it and attacked. Of course they were not skilled enough to bring it down, being only young.  After a while with two lions hanging off each side and chewing, the 5^th lion ran away and got Mum.  Mum and a pride mates raced down and make the kill.

We went up to the kill site to see if any lions were around. We could see three that were sleeping. After a while one got up and went down to feed. The stomach of the Buffalo was ripped out and she (the lion) crawled inside, up to her ribs, and fed. We sat watching in total awe. How amazing to watch a lion feed.  The trees were covered in Vultures waiting their turn. A few brave ones came down to try their luck when the lion had had enough, but were hastily moved on.

Suddenly more lions arrived. We sat there watching nine lions feeding!!!!!!!! The male didn’t come down but the girls did. They were so magnificent. Healthy and fat looking, with shinning coats. 

And this was only Day 0ne in the Caprivi Strip, Namibia.

It was then back to the lodge of nibbles and drinks, then a three-course dinner and a few more drinks.  Ralph, the owner came to join us for dinner and entertained us well.

Sarah especially enjoyed a few drink and was then very entertaining ridding the tent (if we can call it that) of mossies by bouncing around on the bed, clapping them.