Giraffes Rule OK! Chobe River Runs

Wow..just you wait..here comes something you did not expect. I have been on a few safaris recently (? of course) and many many times have I been along the Chobe River section of the Chobe National Park. In this month, with our guests, we have seen more giraffes than I have ever encountered along this stretch of the Park.
Giraffes? They have always been there. Yes of course. But in such numbers that when you drive from the entrance at Sedudu Gate, once you start to encounter them, you do not stop seeing more and more.
"There's a giraffe", goes the shout in the vehicle. But oh no, each time we stopped or drove slowly past, we counted 3 then 5 then 7 and more - up to 14 a time. I honestly reckon that we saw from 240 individuals upwards.
The buffaloes were also getting into full swing - herds and herds and herds. Many scattered individual and small groups, marvelous bulls and plenty of young calves.
Amongst all this 'big' game, we cannot forget that one of the most impervious, dominating and influential characters along the river-front, is the Impala. They never cease..to be there, to glow, to shine and prance, to jump in their magnificent display - high prancing and happy!Survivors and one of our most attractive symbols in the region. So too the Kudu - wow, are they doing well along this section of the Park! Wesaw so many young, so many females in herds and some wonderful mature bulls.
Then there are the elephants. They will never cease to be there and to entertain us. And to teach us. I have a story which I will tell later..about the most fantastic "whispering" experience one could have with these wonderful creatures. I am going to wait for the comments on my Facebook page, my own writings there and those of the people who shared that experience with me.
Believe me..I don't care who is the 'expert' on this..that expert and I have more than something in common then. I believe in what I know and have experienced and that particular encounter merely cemented what is fact and what I have learnt from past experience.
Check out Facebook toff hill and ultimate africa safaris. If you care.
When we give our hearts, our mind and our feelings to nature and are prepared to share that with nature, we are the ones who learn something new. We are NEVER learned.
Hoping to hear your views and experiences too....

Zambezi River, Mambova Rapids.

Islands in Africa - Impalila and Ntwala in the Zambezi, situated at the tip of the Caprivi Strip of Namibia. Tranquil settings and an amazing birdlife. Tiger fishing is good at the moment, too.
Have been at the lodges here assisting with management for two months. Mid December, a safari starts, going to the Central Kalahari and Chobe National Parks. Visit Savuti - you have been there already? - ok, BUT have you been back since the Savuti Channel is flowing? It'sariver, not a stream and the marsh is already flooding. I expect that we will have more and more game remaining there throughout the year, with that the hope that lions, wilddogs, cheetah will also extend their stays in Savuti. It is a beautiful area to visit now, to see the change. Remember, its the first time since 1981 that the river is flowing again.

Who is who?

Who of you have been on a safari? Ok, that's a lot of hands up. A trip to the park or even the zoo? Well, I don't know about the zoo, but I sure can tell you that I would not be surprised if I went there to see the leopard in its cage...and, wait for this..it wasn't there.
Darned cats! They are superb at hiding. Yet also superb at being totally visible when they want to be seen. Yet another typical cat trait. There is a ginger cat that owns our house - totally. Occupies it, owns it, (forget the landlord) uses it, abuses it, makes a mess, leaves hair wherever for the housekeeper to clean.. Well the list is endless. That Darned Cat. And that applies to the elusive little ones each time we go on safari. Love them. I think, I hope. No, I am sure I do.
So who is the "boss" out there? Of course we do know the answer. Not us. All the cliches are right - we are merely visitors, passer's through. Animals will dictate at times, what we will or won't see. I have tried, mostly, to be honest enough about that. Yes, it takes a good guide to get you there at the right time but it also takes that element which belongs totally to the animal we are hoping to see.
I am not one for the glitz and glamour of turning each corner and finding a 'big one' or a 'special'. Did we miss the ants crossing? Did we miss the dung beetle trying to cross? Did we miss the leaves falling? We need time to savour the world around us and on our safaris we do try and remember that. Not always. But nearly! And remember that every minute that I am out there looking at nothing, I am looking for the cats,and the specials. But I remember what else is around us.
Our last safari had a lovely surprise lion at sunset, a day of seeking out the 'girls' whom we did not see, and a lovely leopard sighting near the end of the tour. Add to that some of the most beautiful impalas; close up, calm and stunning elephants; kudu, sable and roan, warthogs and baboons, birds and birds, buffaloes falling (?) out of the trees (that's surely a cliche) and excellent human company with lovely food in camp to boot. Well, what more is there? Luxury? A, exscuse me for saying this, hair dryer? Yes if you insist..but that is second to the experience of finding out Who is Who on safari.
Enjoy. It's worth it.

What weather

Sunset from my boat, off Sedudu Island, Chobe River, Kasane, Botswana

Boating on the Chobe? Here's the perfect sundowner plan...

Elephants enjoying a mud bath at Savuti, Chobe NationalPark

Marty, (Martini Hill), Jack Russell Springboksupporter. (Or is is just good against the cold?)

It seems strange to us here, since last month,that we should have such extreme weather occurring in our "dry" season, our winter. I was on safari with Tim and Jan Dang, out from the States on their honeymoon, when we experienced two solid days and nights of rain in Savuti. This rain was widespread and heavy - we had recorded 61mm in Savuti by the time we left and on arrival at Moremi Game Reserve the following day, found that they had received 91 millimetres. Unheard of for that month of the year!
And now, a really cold spell with winds at least a month to six weeks early.
I have visited Johannesburg as well, and there it is cold But that's normal for them..it's winter at a higher altitude and Jo'burg is always colder than I can ever be prepared for!
Marty-I would say the greatest Jack Russell boy in the world, but then there will be a million other Jack Russell owners who would vote theirs first (that's going to be one thing, if you got a Jack Russell, you will never have consensus of whose is the best!), well, Marty has his jackets for winter. Since the South African Springbok Rugby team has done honours and won the test series against the British and Irish Lions, there's a pic of Marty at the top of the page in his Springbok jersey.
You know,at the end of each day we reflect on many things..I believe that this is the time when we deserve the solitude, the peace, the tranquility..that moment alone when you can say to yourself what you want to; when you can wish for what you want; when you can come to terms with what will or might be; and when you can close the chapter of today and know that you, and only you, can do more, can be better, can be happier, can make more changes in your life, than what you had today.
Enoy it. Live it.

Welcome!!

Interested in camping safaris? Interested in seeing the Victoria Falls, wildlife and scenery in the Southern African Region? This is what I do.. I am priviledged to have a most wonderful 'office' in which to work, and to be accompanied on my safaris by some really interesting people,all keen on sharing the outdoors and nature. Over and above this, my hobbies and free time, allow me to enjoy time with friends, my domestic animals and the Chobe and Zambezi Rivers.

I will send through photos and news and invite you to check outmy website at www.ultimatebotswana.com