A river safari

The Chobe River is a long, it starts in Angola, wide, shallow river that forms much of the border between Botswana and Namibia. It actually loses more water through evaporation than it provides to the Zambezi River which it flows into. The fact that it formed the border between the two countries meant that every time we left the boat, we had to pass through immigration on the way coming and going, not a minor inconvenience especially since immigration in Namibia was up a forty foot sandy rise and the official was none too happy to have to stamp all of our passports while sitting in his small, hot office. More than once our guides had to find him, usually asleep under a shade tree.

Water is the staff of life in Africa and being the dry season the river attracts scores of wildlife. We were really excited as we boarded the boat to start our first water safari. One thing we knew for certain: there would be no more bouncing around in a Land Cruiser.

We got off to a fast start coming upon this herd of elephants enjoying the water.

Then we came upon a pod of hippos and our guide piloted the boat to within a few feet of them. Notice the baby in the center of the center picture.

If that wasn't cool enough, a crocodile decided to swim by. 

Right after the crocodile swam by, we spotted a crocodile monitor lizard. It's called that because it eats the eggs that the crocodiles lay on the shore. Even the largest and scariest get preyed upon.

There were birds aplenty as well. Here's a fish eagle in flight, some storks and a kingfisher.

It was really exciting and different to be getting as close as we where and to be watching from the boat. The animals were as unfazed by the approaching boat as they were by the vehicles. They just go about their daily activities as if you were not there. It is a totally delightful way to view them.

On our way back to the boat, we came across another herd of elephants enjoying the water and I was able to get some incredible pictures. ( At least I think so )

Then a lone hippo decided it was time for him to cross the river.

What a morning and we had a village visit in the afternoon! We were pretty happy campers as we returned for lunch.

An experiment, let's see if the video works. I can't tell in preview mode. 

This is the crocodile monitor lizard  going about it's business.

This one is a guy from New Jersey seriously asking our guide if it ok for the elephants to walk across the river. They are going to a different country after all.  Listen carefully, he starts about half way through.