Botswana

The Okavango Delta in Botswana is magnificent…. the landscape, with wildlife tracks through the watery plains, illustrates.

The main reason for the helicopter expedition was actually to view the extent of one of the wildfires that was burning in the region….

Unlike the wildfires sweeping through some drought-ridden areas of the US, these are not a cause for alarm – just a natural phenomenon that helps keep the natural environment tidy.

Particularly fascinating is the role termites play in the maintenance and very existence of the Delta – each of the small islands in the photo above is or was a termite mound, many of them extending far below the level of the water. They are hubs of life, retaining the fresh water that inundates the Delta during the rainy season each year, and providing other nutrients that give rise to plants and therefore the abundant wildlife for which the area is known. (This is a very simplistic explanation of a complex environmental relationship – the point being that without the termite, the Okavango Delta would simply be another barren salt pan and not the amazing place that it is.)

Almost everywhere you go in Africa, there are local beers….. and gin!

It’s not really a safari if you don’t stop for sundowners with a cold gin and tonic!

As usual, we like to support the local artisans by purchasing some of their crafts…

Lesser-known parts of Botswana include the Linyanti concession to the east, which boasts flood plains and meandering waterways, an important migration point for elephant…. the video shows a breeding herd of about 14 elephants making their way across the river..

Tiger-fishing is very popular….. these guys are fighters, with some very sharp and prominent teeth. Not good to eat – you catch them for the fun of it, then release. Henry hooked a little one….

Southern Botswana boasts the Makgadikgadi Pans, a much drier place but also full of interesting wildlife and landscapes. Here we are along the Boteti River during the zebra migration…

The tent had a great view of the animal crossing….

The camps, while beautifully situated, are extremely cold at night (we are here during winter in the Southern Hemisphere)…. no heat source of any kind in the tent…. and the only fire pit is at the lodge, which you cannot access without an escort. One must sleep in one’s clothes while clutching a hot water bottle…

The pans are ancient ocean beds, now huge expanses of salt. In the rainy season, they might retain some moisture, but dry up very quickly….. providing a stunning backdrop.

Wildlife is relatively sparse, but may include some friendly meerkats…..

From Botswana, we move on to Zambia…. with a little reminder at the public airport that the coronavirus is still among us…..