Call of Africa - Cape Town, Babylonstoren and Okavango

[amaroo]

Just caught up - spectacular!

 

[Flying mermaid]

We had said goodbye to our new found acquaintances the night before - they were flying to Vic Falls so it as back on our own again. Goms asked us what we wanted to see and we said Leopard!

There are a lot of Leopards in the Linyanti area, but it is a huge concession, with 4 wilderness camps, so not always easy to find a particular animal.

There were some fresh tracks not far from our camp so we went looking there, but not finding anything. Then Goms heard on the radio that a leopard had been sighted at the Linyanti Camp at the far end of the property. Goms went like a bat out of hell along the main track (still took nearly an hour) and the Leopard was there! Kill was up a tree but the young male wasn't happy and did its best to lose the 2 vehicles following it. Eventually after going up and down the tree it sat down and called for Mum. We went off to the river to have morning tea and give him a break.

 

[Flying mermaid]

Mum arrived and settled down for a sleep in the thickets -that seemed to calm her son down

 

[Flying mermaid]

Then we heard on the radio that baby sister had been seen in a tree only a short distance away so we had a look at her too - just loved her little kitten face.

 

[Flying mermaid]

We spent around 3 hours watching the Leopards and then Goms took us back the slow way via the river. Having left at 6:30am, we didn't get back until nearly 2 - they said they were about to send a search party out for us

Goms joined us for dinner that night and told us heaps about Botswana and its recent history (independence on). It seems a terrific country and not at all corrupt, which is rare. We thoroughly enjoyed the time we spent with him - a lovely young man and very generous with his time.

The next day on the way to the airport we saw some ostriches. No Cheetah though, although they do have them - the savannahs of East Africa are much more suited to Cheetah.

 

[Flying mermaid]

Smooth trip back to Maun and then Joburg. Have to say I am glad we overnighted in Joburg. We had a late checkout the next day, so could arrive at the airport very fresh.

I have had a terrible run with Qantas this year, but this time everything worked perfectly. Had another terrific crew. J was packed - we were sitting in the nose again and no fewer than 5 very young ankle biters in that section, but they behaved very well (given their age). So the crew did have a lot of work to do but made it look easy. In the morning when I woke up I went to put in my contact lenses and by the time I got back, my bed had been tidied up and I had breakfast very soon after that.

We have had a big year travelling this year and our travel budget is looking a bit threadbare, so next year might be more sedate. However that gives me plenty of time to plan a visit to the Gorillas.

We do want to go back to Botswana though - just such a lovely place and people.

 

[drron]

Loved the TR.In total agreement with your thoughts on Botswana.Researched Africa a lot and concluded Botswana was the place to go.It didn't let us down.The people are easy to talk to-and not just the guides or lodge staff.Even on a couple of hours stroll around Kasane by ourselves.Also great was to run into an Anti Poaching patrol in Chobe NP-they are passionate about their job.

 

[Flying mermaid]

Loved the TR.In total agreement with your thoughts on Botswana.Researched Africa a lot and concluded Botswana was the place to go.It didn't let us down.The people are easy to talk to-and not just the guides or lodge staff.Even on a couple of hours stroll around Kasane by ourselves.Also great was to run into an Anti Poaching patrol in Chobe NP-they are passionate about their job.

There was an anti-poaching post set up in the concession to monitor the Caprivi strip. I gathered it was "official" rather than run by Wilderness and so off limits, but It was good to see it being taken seriously. No-one seemed to feel poaching was much of an issue in Botswana - easier targets elsewhere I suppose, but they still were putting money into monitoring.

 

[garyjohn951]

We fly out on Tuesday to Joburg and then the following day into Maun and onto Little Tutu and also Kings Pool and then onto Victoria Falls. Our second trip to the Delta, having been to Pom Pom Camp 3 years ago. Your photos were great, hopwfully we can take ones just as good.

 

[Flying mermaid]

We fly out on Tuesday to Joburg and then the following day into Maun and onto Little Tutu and also Kings Pool and then onto Victoria Falls. Our second trip to the Delta, having been to Pom Pom Camp 3 years ago. Your photos were great, hopwfully we can take ones just as good.

Most if the people we spoke to said Vic Falls was quite dry - Zimbabwe side is not too bad, so if you are staying on the Zambian side make sure you walk across. When we were at Vic Falls in March they said the rains had not been as good as normal, although we thought it looked spectacular.

Have a lovely time - I am already ready for another African trip

 

[Imw]

Containing to love the post Pics outstanding as well!

 

[garyjohn951]

Most if the people we spoke to said Vic Falls was quite dry - Zimbabwe side is not too bad, so if you are staying on the Zambian side make sure you walk across. When we were at Vic Falls in March they said the rains had not been as good as normal, although we thought it looked spectacular.

Have a lovely time - I am already ready for another African trip

We were in Victoria Falls in July 2014 on a Rovas Cape to Zanzibar trip and loved the falls. We also loved the VF Hotel, just gorgerous. Mainly going back for the sunrise over the Falls as my wife is the Camera person and missed the early sunrise, so we will be up early this time.

 

[love_the_life]

Most if the people we spoke to said Vic Falls was quite dry - Zimbabwe side is not too bad, so if you are staying on the Zambian side make sure you walk across. When we were at Vic Falls in March they said the rains had not been as good as normal, although we thought it looked spectacular.

Have a lovely time - I am already ready for another African trip

When we were at VF at the end of August the Zambian side was very low. We walked across the bridge to the Zimbabwean side and it was better but certainly was not the total 'wow' factor that I had hoped for. I did know we would be there at reasonably low water though so did expect it to be less. They said that the rains had failed earlier in the year and this had affected the flow.

Hope you have a great return trip garyjohn.

 

[Toula92122]

I'll admit I have never been interested in going to Africa. However I recently read the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency book series and that got me thinking about Botswana. Now having reading this TR it really has me interested.

My biggest fear would have to be snakes. Did you encounter any on this trip?

 

[JohnM]

I'll admit I have never been interested in going to Africa. However I recently read the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency book series and that got me thinking about Botswana. Now having reading this TR it really has me interested.

My biggest fear would have to be snakes. Did you encounter any on this trip?

The least of your worries woud be snakes! If you get out of a vehicle in a game park where you shouldn't, a lion ready to make a snack of you is much more to fear than a snake that is much more interested in beating a retreat.

I've never seen a snake in the wild in Africa - but I have plenty of times in Australia!

Go to Africa once, and you won't be able to stop going!

 

[Cool Cat Phil]

Then we heard on the radio that baby sister had been seen in a tree only a short distance away so we had a look at her too - just loved her little kitten face.

Absolutely Amazing photos of leopards.

It took me three seperate visits to Southern Africa to come across a Leopard.

What an adventure you had!

 

[Flying mermaid]

I'll admit I have never been interested in going to Africa. However I recently read the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency book series and that got me thinking about Botswana. Now having reading this TR it really has me interested.

My biggest fear would have to be snakes. Did you encounter any on this trip?

No - didn't see any even when bush walking. They do exist, but Australia is worse

 

[Gem56]

OMG, thanks for the tip. I would probably be still standing there arguing with it!

 

[lovetravellingoz]

The least of your worries woud be snakes! If you get out of a vehicle in a game park where you shouldn't, a lion ready to make a snack of you is much more to fear than a snake that is much more interested in beating a retreat.

I've never seen a snake in the wild in Africa - but I have plenty of times in Australia!

Go to Africa once, and you won't be able to stop going!

While I agree that snakes are not much of an issue they are around. In particular many accommodation options, and particularly those in game areas, are set amongst bush, gardens etc and just as one can and does get hippos, elephants etc wandering through you also certainly do see snakes. However most snakes are wary of people and tend to slither off before they are seen. Ceratainly the electric fence which is often the only barrier to keep wildlife out is going to do nothing to keep snakes out!

While staying on the shroes of Lake Malawi when walking to the water sports hut the water sports guide pointed out a large Green Mamba snake in the tree next to the entance and above us. I did not realise how poisonous they were until I looked it up afterwards.

 

[Flying mermaid]

HCeratainly the electric fence which is often the only barrier to keep wildlife out is going to do nothing to keep snakes out!

While staying on the shroes of Lake Malawi when walking to the water sports hut the water sports guide pointed out a large Green Mamba snake in the tree next to the entance and above us. I did not realise how poisonous they were until I looked it up afterwards.

Electric fences? Never saw one! They used to have guards/rangers at night escort you to and from the room to the dining area because the wild life could just wander through. It was actually nice to find leopard prints around the room in the mornings (and other things as well!). Mambas are quite dangerous - we had one in our garden once