Zam had us fishing with a chunk of beef on a large hook under a small bobber. Fish were jumping all around us, but our bait or technique was not attracting a bite. Both Mark and I had some nibbles from small fish, but neither of us had any serious bites. After about an hour we gave up and returned to our tents.
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| Outdoor shower next to our tent |
I showered in the tent’s outdoor shower rather than the adjacent indoor shower. The shower was very brisk in the midwinter morning here in the southern hemisphere. After a shower and change of clothes, I felt much better.
We gathered our bags and placed them outside our tent. We walked around the property while we waited to join our guide, Joe, for the boat ride back to the airport at 9:30. While we sat, we chatted with Zambo and enjoyed the morning.
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| Flying from Okavango to Savute |
We loaded into the boat making our way to the airstrip, which was about a 20 minute ride for us. We took the last four seats on the 12 seat Cessna airplane. Everyone onboard exited at the Savute stop which was less than an hour flight. Like our previous bush flights, the aircraft are older but seem to be well maintained and the bush pilots appear to be well trained and knowledgeable.
We were picked up by our guide, Conrad, for the short trip to camp. Our travel mates for the next four days will be John and Joan from near Manchester, England. When we arrived at the camp we were greeted by the staff and shown around the property. Since all three camps where we have stayed so far are managed by Desert and Delta Safaris, they are much the same as Xakanaxa and Xugana.
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| Kudu at the waterhole behind Savute Safari Lodge |
Since a large group had just departed, we waited in the common areas while our rooms were cleaned and prepared. The lodge has a large viewing area with a view of a large water hole that attracts impalas, giraffes, Cape buffalo and other animals. Like the other camps there is an open bar and dining area.
Lunch was chicken pot pie, curried ground beef casserole called bobotie and a vegetable quiche. Sliced apricot bread was the dessert. There was the usual assortment of cheeses, fresh fruit and beverages. As we ate, we watched a variety of local wildlife at the nearby water hole. We watched wildebeest, kudu, impala, elephants and a Cape buffalo.
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| Steve relaxing at our tent in Savuti Safari Lodge |
This lodge is definitely the highest accommodation that we have encountered on this trip. The tents are very nice with a sitting area, bed with mosquito netting, bathroom, indoor and outdoor showers as well as a shady porch overlooking the savanna. We read and relaxed until time for our afternoon game drive at 3:30.
Chobe National Park, where Savute Safari Lodge is located, is Botswana’s oldest national park, established in 1967. At 4,500 square miles, it is the nation’s third largest national park after Central Kalahari Game Reserve and Gemsbok National Park. The area was originally inhabited by the Bushmen people. Although a national park was proposed in 1931, heavy tsetse fly infestations delaying the designation as a national park.
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| Adult male lion in Chobe National Park |
Neither of us were interested in high tea today, so we skipped it and went straight to the Land Cruiser. Our guide, Conrad, took us past elephants, zebras and many impalas and kudus. He had a radio message that there were lions nearby so he took us there but the male and female lions were both sleeping in the tall grass. We moved on to spot other wildlife including a few hippos and a huge male kudu. We stopped at a place to watch the sunset and have a happy hour beverage. A pair of jackals were nearby feeding on something in the grass.
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| Black backed jackal |
After a stretch break and a gin and tonic, we drove back to the lions. Shortly after we arrived, the lioness awoke and woke the male. They started walking into the savanna away from the roads. We took some snapshots of them walking away as additional trucks of tourists arrived. This is an everyday event for the lions. The poor cats can’t get rest for the photographers like us looking for a picture.
Conrad drove us back to camp where we had about 45 minutes before dinner. Mary showered, and I tuned in the Wednesday horticulture webinar. The webinars are hosted by the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture and are held at 12:30 most Wednesday afternoons. That is 6:30 pm here in Central Africa. We had to set our VPN to a point in the US to be allowed to enter the webinar. We enjoyed the session on wreath making until we were called to dinner at 7:15. A guide escorted us to the lodge area since wild animals frequently can be found on the property.
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| Firepit overlooking the waterhole at Savute |
Before dinner, we sat around the fire with John and Joan, our travel mates from Manchester. We shared stories of prior trips and possible trips to come. The appetizer was mushroom risotto. Dinner was lamb with mint jelly, fried fish, couscous, creamed polenta and broccoli with cheese. Dessert was apple tort with whipped cream. Everything was delicious.
After dinner, we asked Conrad to escort us to our rooms where we went to bed at 9:30 to be ready for tomorrow’s morning game drive.
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