Day 24 Saturday 2 May Savuti

We were awoken at 5.00 by one of the crew bringing hot water for a morning wash. Dressed and breakfasted by 6.00 and on the road soon afterwards as the camp was demolished in preparation for a move to Khwai.

For the first few hours we went on a game viewing drive in the Savuti area. Again had a great start to the day as we sighted 5 sleepy lionesses. Moved on and learned that 3 cheetahs were close by and we managed to get a good look at them before they disappeared into the undergrowth.

Next, as we entered some grasslands, we saw huge herds of zebras. Also sighted elephants and giraffe.

Aftera stop for coffee, we began our move southwards towards Khwai. A very bumpy road, which was either very sandy or scattered with water-filled dips that we either avoided with side roads or attacked in low gear. Very slow progress.

Stopped for a picnic lunch in the Mababe Depression grasslands under a large camel thorn acacia. A couple of hornbills watched us closely hoping for food.

Our drive afterwards took us passed swamps and huge colonies of water birds
Also occasional giraffe, lechwe, wildebeest, and elephants.

By late afternoon, we had reached the boundary of the Chobe National Park and we entered the Khwai Community concession. Turning north-east, and driving alongside the flooded Khwai River, we reached our camp-site in the early evening It was a new destination (Mogotho Khwai community concession) because the flooded Moremi National Park had been closed to us. A large bull elephant came close to our camp-site and shook the fruit from a tree 20 metres from our tent, before wandering off.

It had been a hot, bumpy,but interesting, drive so a hot shower was most welcome. A G&T (or two) around the campfire was relaxing and a late dinner followed. Kevin has been an excellent chef, cooking his meals over an open fire.

By 10.00 everyone was in bed and the camp quiet, apart from the occasional call of an owlet. Slept soundly..Read more