Baboons drinking from your pool and jumping on the roof is one way to start the day! Imagine our surprise to peek out the window and see a dozen baboons wandering around our patio.
We were able to sleep in a little that day because we were driving into a nearby village in place of our other morning activities. This cultural excursion was part of our package at the lodge. After a quick buffet breakfast, we met our guide Sue and another passenger, a pilot, at the 4×4 game truck.
Game Drive Leaving the Park
Sue drove us through the park to get to the highway, so we were still able to see some wildlife. Right outside the lodge there was a quick flash of neon green against the orange dirt – it was a chameleon!
Impala
We stopped to watch a herd of impala including a few adorable calves in the grass.
Lions
Then Sue heard from another guide that there had been a lion sighting nearby. We sped over to the area and Sue’s sharp eyes were on the lookout. We were in luck! A lion and lioness were lying down for a nap in the bush. We were able to get way closer than I thought since they were resting and not interested in us.
Kudu
After taking a ton of photos of the lions, we continued on our way to the village. Right before exiting the park, some kudu crossed the road in front of us and stopped on the other side to watch us.
Giraffes
Because we were in the open 4×4 safari vehicle on a major road, Sue drove slowly. We were able to spot some giraffes eating in the trees. One calf was so pale it was almost white.
Another calf was curled up on the ground close to the road. I rarely saw a giraffe not standing so it was a pleasant surprise and a great photo opportunity.
Cultural Excursion
Our cultural excursion was to the village of Mabele. We pulled into an art and cultural center in town and were welcomed with a dance and song. Two sweet kids walked over during the song and pulled me in to dance with them!
After that, there was an introduction song and dance. One by one someone would jump over a cross of logs and give their name, including us.
Weaving
Then we sat down to hear about the group and how weaving was their major means of supporting themselves.
Leonard walked us through the basics of how they prepare the palm leaves (fronds) for use in weaving. They use several materials to dye the fronds different colors: Gray from rusted tin, brown from tree bark, blue from used carbon paper, etc. Then he pulled out a newly started bowl and asked if we would all make one stitch.
We were invited to look over the goods in case we wanted to purchase something. There were dozens of bowls, baskets, earrings, and bracelets. I bought one medium bowl with a simple spiral pattern on it.
Bowl
2020 Price: $20
We stopped on the way back from the village to have a box lunch under a baobab tree.
There are many legends about baobab trees. Many stories center around the trees displeasing their creator so much that they were pulled up and replanted upside-down. That is why its branches look like roots, especially during the dry season when there are no leaves.
Afternoon Game Drive
After arriving back in the park, Sue took us on an afternoon game drive.
Kudu
We saw more kudu, this time with a young calf.
There were several herds grazing in the floodplains near the river. At one point I turned in the vehicle and was able to see four different species all together – a giraffe, an impala, kudu, and zebras!
Zebras
Then we drove higher into the hills and found a small dazzle of zebra.
Sable Antelope
Just beyond the zebra, we caught our first glimpse of sable antelope marching by baobab trees. It was a large group of about 20 including several calves. While both males and female sable grow horns, it is easy to tell the different by the coloring. Males have mostly black coats while females are reddish-brown.
Sables’ horns grow for their entire lives, one ring a year. These horns curve back toward their shoulders.
Down on the Chobe River, there was a Namibian fisherman in a boat. While it is a national park on the Botswanan side of the river, the Namibian side is not.
Lilac-Breasted Roller
In the trees I finally caught a good look at a lilac-breasted roller. They are gorgeous birds, known for their colorful feathers. I noticed them a few times on the trip but always as they flew away or in bad lighting.
Elephants
Sue drove the game truck down by the water again. There were two young bachelor elephants in a large pond. They were practice fighting – pushing one another under the water.
Giraffe
There was a lone giraffe nearby. Its pattern was darker than any other we’d seen. We watched as it slowly bent down to get a few sips of water. Due to their long legs, it takes giraffes a lot more effort than other creatures.
The safari vehicle died randomly along the riverbank. We had stopped to look for a snake we’d driven by and then the truck wouldn’t start back up. I was a little uneasy to be at a standstill so near where elephants and hippos were found. Thankfully Sue was able to fix it after a short wait and we didn’t have any other issues.
Lions!
Sue was tracking the lions again and we finally found some paw prints in the dirt.
Lions
First, we found the lioness relaxing on the road. We stopped for some photos before driving a few meters down the road to her mate.
He was watching her from his vantage point. There were scars on his face, but he was still a magnificent beast with a thick mane. He was calm for being surrounded by half a dozen game vehicles.
The lioness got up and slowly stalked toward him. After striking him on the nose with her paw, both continued down the road.
They found a new resting space and settled down again together. We ended up in a circle of 4×4 trucks around them.
After 20 minutes, they must have heard animals in the distance because they jogged past us, the lioness in the lead.
Female lions are the primary hunters for the pride. They typically stalk and dispatch prey together. Cubs are also raised collectively.
She was originally after some impala, but they ran before she had the chance to pounce. Then she spotted a wounded elephant calf crossing the road. Both lions settled on the road to watch while I anxiously hoped they would choose a different target. More elephants followed including several large females.
The male walked further down the road; I assume to flank the elephants from the other side. It was getting dark, so we had to leave the lions behind.
Just past the lions, we found an impala. He looked hesitantly between us and the bushes across the path. We whispered “Run!” to him and gestured to cross in front of the vehicle. Fortunately, he took our advice and got away from the lions – for a while at least.
Sunset
That night there was a beautiful sunset. Two zebras had a golden glow against a purple sky.
As the clouds started to fill with a golden hue, we caught sight of a giraffe walking across the road behind us.
Dinner that night was a buffet at the boma where we were all entertained with a live performance.
Another part of the Best of Chobe Game Package was laundry cleaning. It was super easy to use. All I had to do was put my clothes in the bag provided and leave it in the room during the day. Housekeeping took it in the morning and brought it back when they turned down the beds at night. Since Chobe was in the middle of our trip, it worked out great that I was able to have clean outfits.
Best of Chobe Game Lodge Package
2020 Price: R59,852 (approx. $4,144) for 4 nights
I think our favorite is the zebra with the purple sky beyond. The giraffe in shadow with sky colors of yellow, orange and lavender was a close second.
So much information and beautiful images. How exciting it must have been to dance with the children for a total cultural experience.
So glad you enjoyed it! The giraffe in front of the sunset is one of my favorite landscapes of the entire trip!
I doubled back to see what I missed. I had seen Chobe before but the overall account and pictures must have blown me away. I didn’t leave a post. Sorry. You do a great job and should know it’s appreciated. Now you know you are!
Thank you Liz – I appreciate you! I’m glad you’ve enjoyed the Chobe blogs and that I could bring you into my experience.