Botswana
Chobe NP
Chobe NP stretches for many kilometers from the Okavango/Khwai area towards Kasane town near the Zambia and Zimbabwe border. For most of the year it is a land of draught with only a few scattered waterholes in the Savuti marshland and the only perennial Linyanti/Chobe river along the namibian border in the north. In 2010 for the first time after more than a decade the Savuti channel was in flow and braught water from Linyanti to the Savuti marsh, attracting large herds of elefants from as far away as Zimbabwe. It is the vast grassy Savuti plain, which offers outstanding possibilities to observe all of Africa's predators. Also the Chobe river floodplains at Ihaha (known as riverfront area) usually attract large herds of elefant and buffalo, followed by their permanent lion enemies.
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In September 2010 the only road from Khwai to Savuti was crossing a rather delicately looking wooden bridge.
The usually dry Savuti marsh was partly flooded.
In 2010 the savuti channel was in full flow for the first time after decades. A small herd of elefants was conveniently drinking from the channel.
giraffes and impala in front of one of the hills bordering Savuti marsh.
a group of impressive roan antelope near Mababe
lioness in golden light just before sunset
A lone wild dog was seemingly looking for his pack members. It was wearing a radio collar.
A very relaxed elefant bull paid a visit to our camp.
Lions are the only cats living in prides, they show distinctive social behaviour and hunt communally.
Still they never seem to be happy sharing food.
From a distance we had seen this cheetah running at full speed. Shortly after it had killed a warthog and was already eating.
classic view of a leopard comfortably resting on a horizontal branch of an acacia tree
The road to Linyanti through deep, deep sand turned out to be a challenge for our heavily loaded truck. It did not get any better on the onward drive to Ihaha.
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elefants in the Chobe river near Ihaha
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Puku antelopes are specialized grazers on the Chobe floodplains
A group of banded mongoose was sunbathing at a termite mount.
Just before sunset an african wild cat was looking for rodents.
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Sable antelope are not a common sight. Chobe riverfront is a good place to look for them.
Today sable are a desired breeding animal in south african game ranches and bulls like this fetch astronomical prices at auctions.