July 15, 2013 Chobe

Monday, July 15, 2013 – Chobe National Park

We had a wonderful game drive in the morning. We saw many baboons and impalas. Impalas are known as the McDonald’s of Africa since they have M’s on their rumps and are the primary meat source for many of Africa’s predators. We also saw herds of zebras and kudus, along with cattle being raised by the neighboring Namibians. We also saw gorgeous birds and a huge crocodile.

morning game drive, Chobe National Park, Botswana: Laura Westray, Winston Padgett, Ken Westray, Arthur Luehrmann, Martha Luehrmann, Janet Shi in our Land Rover

Abi Nyomi takes a picture of the group in the other Land Rover: Judith Blecha, Arthur Kay, June Kay, Marian Moran, Marilyn Herel, Monica Shephard, Scott Shephard

kudu

baboon

herd of zebras and kudus

the Chobe River

impalas, — the McDonald's of the bush

zebras

what bird?

what bird?

what bird?

what birds?

what bird?

what bird?

zebra

crocodile

darters and what birds?

saddle-billed stork

crocodile

darters drying their wings?

fish eagle

Namibian herder who is doing some fishing

baobab tree

kudus

kudus

giraffe tree at the end of the road

baboons

what bird?

baboons

During a tea break, Abi showed us how to recognize the different types of dung. After the tea break we saw many more herds of kudus, impalas, and gnus, as well as the ubiquitous guinea fowl and a solitary warthog.

fish eagle

the group has a tea break

Scott and Monica Shephard, and Polly Anna Randol and Winston Padgett

vulture

giraffe

sable

warthog

sable

After “brunch”, some ladies from the Mandela township came to show us their baskets and teach us basket weaving. Arthur bought two lovely baskets, plus a necklace and a bracelet from Ednah.

Ednah with her baskets

June Kay tries her hand at basket weaving

That afternoon we went on another game drive where we saw elephants, giraffes, kudus, impalas, zebras, Sable antelope, etc. We also saw the brilliantly colored lilac-breasted roller. Towards dusk we saw a leopard!