Botswana Mobile April May 2010

[Ken Watkins]

This year we decided to go a little later to avoid the rain, nevertheless there was a major storm on our first night.

Our plan was to have 7 days in Moremi, 3 days up at Khwai then on to Savute for 4 days to see how far the water had got.

As per our other experience with Ewan Masson, this adventure was a genuine safari i.e. no unnecessary luxury and camping in the bush with animals in the camp, albeit in comfort. You get to experience the bush in a manner which could only be dreamt of by those who only ever stay in luxury lodges and hardly ever spend 80% of their waking hours out there looking.

Our normal day consisted of a wake up at 05.30 around 1 hour before sunrise, warm water was brought to the tent for early morning ablutions, off to the mess tent for tea (coffee) before venturing out at around 06.00. From then until around 11.00 we drive around roads permitting. The roads in Moremi and Khwai were in a very bad state of repair, seems that Botswana not only wants to charge you more but does not want to provide you with any service. On return from our morning exploration we had brunch and took a few hours off (backing up, cleaning cameras and sometimes a nap). More tea at 14.30 then out again until 18.30 around 1 hour after sunset.

Quite a long day in the saddle but trying to find watch and videowildlife is what we like to do, we can frankly find no point in getting up late eating, going out for a couple of hours, coming back having a 3 to 4 hour break, then going out again for a few more hours.

On return in the evening a welcome campfire and cold beer and wine, then a good honest meal cooked in cast-iron pots over an open fire. Everything was prepared in this way including fresh bread everyday. Food was marvelous far better than most lodges we have stayed in, we were able to specify what food we wished before our departure and were thankfully able to reject puddings!

We had a tent for ourselves and one for our camera equipment and luggage, Ewan our leader had his own tent and our two helpers each had there own tent so we formed a rather formidable camp. The sites used were private and only available to registered mobile operators. So to put it simply you get a private campsite, a private vehicle and your very own private guide in this case with over twenty years of experience!

The highlights were:-

The sighting of an Albino Red Lechwe

A female Cheetah (unfortunately collared) who had eaten so much Impala that she fell over when she stood up!

Thousands of Zebra in Savute (awkward to photograph)

A Giraffe making a noise a grunt, giraffes rarely make a sound.

A family of 4 Cheetahs.

A visitation to camp by a Male Lion who roared very loudly around 20 metres from our tent. at 02.00.

A return visit by the male Lion two days late,. whilst chasing Hyena he collided with Ewan’s tent.

Two Honey Badgers scuffling around the tent in the middle of the night.

Male Warthog fighting in a waterhole.

Great sighting of Elephants enjoying a plunge in the River Khwai

A fresh Zebra following our vehicle thinking we were its mother, happy outcome.

All in all another real safari.

Photos can be found at the following links, I have at last managed to label reasonably well and included EXIF info.
http://sniktawkwild.zenfolio.com/f535491606

Next Trip some time in Matusadona and then a mobile in Hwange.

[Alfred Forns]

Was a great trip Ken !!! Thanks for the report ... and the images are great !! My favorite is the eagle with up wings looking at you !! Really on sweet image !!!

[Don Hamilton Jr.]

Sounds like a Drean Trip, hope to do one of these one day!
Don

[Sabyasachi Patra]

Ken,
Lion colliding with tent. :D I guess it is not for the faint hearted.

Thanks for the report. It gives us a idea about the place. Seems you had a fantastic trip.

Cheers,
Sabyasachi

[Ken Watkins]

Sabyasachi,

Strangely Lion do not normally try to get into tents, same as they almost totally ignore vehicles if you do not move:D

[Tony Whitehead]

Great report and lovely images, Ken. Envious:D