We spent the afternoon (3:00-6:20) on another game drive in Chobe National Park. And what a game drive it was! We ran into a lion, lionesses, and their cubs. More than once. And the second time, we almost ran into her when we were on a break and out of the car! The driver said very quickly, “Get in the car right now!” She was on the other side of the trees. We followed this lioness for a while as she stalked her prey—an impala. She was intensely focused.
Side note—it’s the lioness that is really the “king” of the jungle. She has the babies, cares for them, and hunts. They live in prides and the lionesses and their girl cubs will stay together for life. When a boy cub is around 3, they get kicked out of the pride to go find their own pride (and avoid inbreeding). Lions live around 10 years and lionesses up to 15 years and can have up to 4 babies at a time! Speaking of babies—we watched 3 of them playing together. The definition of cute!🥰
Unfortunately, the day prior we saw a baby elephant that was sick. He had something wrong with his leg and walked with a limp and what appeared to be an abscess on his bum. Very sad as our guide said he won’t live out the week. He will be easy target for lions and other predators.
The Elephants🩶 — playing, bathing, caring for their calves, trumpeting. I could watch the elephants for hours, for days…they are fascinating. Their behaviors, their culture, their elegance while swimming, the way they bathe and protect themselves from the sun. They may be #1 of the Big 5 for me. In Chobe they are around every corner—every few feet in some cases!
But let’s not forget about the kudus—the males with their stately antlers and white stripes; the Impalas-the McDonald’s of the animal kingdom in Chobe as we saw hundreds!; the Zebras – not as dominant here but we may not have been in the right place at the right time; the Sables—another antelope with prominent antlers and more rare to see; a whole bunch of Guinea fowl; Giraffes —who seemed the most skittish around our vehicles; Hippos – lazily laying on the river front; Crocs—also being lazy on the river front; Baboons—what can I say, we descended from them and they are awesome!; Vervet monkeys-the cutest little faces but they bite; African Buffalo—one particular older male didn’t like it we drove by so we bolted!; Leopard—got the “tail” end; Fish Eagle—reminds me of the majestic American Eagle; and a whole lot of birds that I need to look up.
And then there’s the sunrises and sunsets. I am not sure which is prettier and it’s like a competition, with each one more stunning than the next. During our time in Kasane, Botswana, we saw two sunrises and 3 sunsets. I will never forget them.
Here’s the safari vehicles and how they stack up:
• In Zimbabwe – Land Cruiser – smooth and very comfortable
• In Botswana – Nissan Hard Body – not as smooth but still comfy
• Upcoming in Zambia – Land Rover
Tomorrow it’s on to a new country and another adventure as we start the last leg of our trip—Zambia! It involves a 40 minute drive (via bus) to the border, dipping our shoes/tires, and then a 40 minute flight from Livingstone International Airport in Livingstone, Zambia to Lusaka (the capitol). Another 40 minute flight from Lusaka to Mfuwe. Finally, a 40 minute drive to the Mfuwe Lodge located within the South Luangwa National Park.
Facebook Reel from this afternoon:
https://www.facebook.com/share/r/ahowq2HaZZjWAfJ1/?mibextid=WC7FNe
Christina’s Journey Journal 