Chobe National Park, Botswana - Part 1

Chobe National Park is the third largest national park in Botswana and is located in the far north of the country, sharing a border with Namibia. The park has one of the highest concentrations of game in all of Africa and the highest concentration of elephants on the continent. Between 40,000 - 60,000 elephants can be found within Chobe National Park during the peak season.

Our tour company had set us up in a game lodge called Muchenje, situated on the western edge of the Chobe River section of the park. After our transfer back to the Kasane airport from Victoria Falls, we were picked up by a driver from Muchenje and driven about an hour through the park to the game lodge. Again, the amount of game that we saw just on our transfer through the park was pretty impressive.

Elephants cross wherever they want

Male Ostrich

 Somewhere along our drive we came across a sad sight. An elephant with no apparent wounds had evidently succumbed to some disease and died near the road. There were tons of vultures perched in trees nearby or hovering overhead but were unable to feast due to the elephant's thick skin. They would need to wait for a predator to open the belly before they would be able to get at it. Our guide pointed out that the eyes were likely already pecked out.

Not napping

We caught a brief glimpse of a Roan Antelope crossing the road in front of us. This is the rarest species of antelope in the park.

Very shy

 We also saw plenty of giraffe hanging out by the side of the road.

Male and two females

Muchenje game lodge itself is a gorgeous facility. The lodge is built on a bluff overlooking the Chobe River floodplain and the view is spectacular. The rooms were well appointed and very comfortable.

Our suite at Muchenje

The view from our porch

Safari-style Becky

We were taken on a short game drive that afternoon, shortly after we arrived. 

Entrance to the pit of despair

Fungus feeding on the keratin sheath of a Cape Buffalo's horns

After the fungus has eaten away most of the keratin

Red-Billed Hornbills attacking their reflections

Whatchoo lookin at?

Namibian fisherman in a mokoro

The number of animals that comes down to the river in the early evening to drink is just astounding. I have never seen anything like it. 

Young male Waterbuck 

"Not sure if taking picture or trying to kill me"

Female Waterbuck. Seems like too much hair for Africa

Big herd of Zebra

Snuggling Zebras 

Young Zebra

Havin' a quick dirt roll

Majestic Warthog 

Female and Male Sable Antelope 

Young female Sable Antelope (and zebra and guinea fowl)

Giraffe near the lodge

Sun setting over the Chobe

So many animals

Beat up old Giraffe

Chasing Giraffes

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Waterbuck males

Sun setting

Savannah Dry, a popular apple cider from South Africa

Sun finally sets

Surprise Night Giraffe!

Signing off, from Cleveland