Our first day is already becoming a memorable experience.Our group are happy to be at the Chobe Bush Lodge in Botswana to start our African Safari.
Everyone were happy with our wonderful accommodations at the Chobe Bush Lodge. Beautiful rooms with a large outdoor patio. Charmaine Baboons and Springbok Deer freely roamed the grounds of the Chobe Bush Lodge. What a treat.
Our group took a private afternoon river cruise on the Chobe river to start our African Safari adventure. Everyone were attentive as our Collette guide, Samantha went over some details on our overall Safari journey.
A 3.5 meter Nile Crocodile resting alongside our river cruise boat.
A male African Elephant walking alongside the river was an awesome sight to see on our first afternoon in the bush.
Amazing encounter between an African Buffalo and an African Elephant alongside our river cruise boat. Another amazing sight on our first afternoon. We already saw two of the big five making this an already amazing experience.
Sunday was another amazing day at Chobe National Park. Our group saw some lions and a leopard which made it 4 of the big 5 in the first 24 hours at the park.
A lion walked right next to our truck during the morning land game drive in Chobe National Park.
Her cubs close behind
This is an awesome shot of a leopard that walked just 5 feet from our truck. Both of our game drivers mentioned that we were very fortunate to see this beautiful leopard on our first game drive as they haven’t had a leopard sighting in over 2 months.
Close shot of an African Buffalo
Some Hippos cooling off in the Chobe river
A family of African Elephants coming to join us at the Chobe river to cool of and quench their thirst
Getting close to Beverly
More elephants playing in the Chobe river close to our group
Thomas and Carol enjoying the frolicking elephants
Amazing African sunset on the Chobe river to close out another awesome day.
Monday morning safari drive and Chobe River drive was enjoyed by our whole tour group.
A couple of large Hippos were also making their way to the water.
Non-Stop Group with tour staff on our Monday morning Chobe river cruise where we got up close to many of the African wildlife. We will be headed back for a hearty breakfast buffet when we get back to the Chobe Lodge.
Our boat captain pulled this flowers with its stem from the Chobe river and made a flower necklace for Sharon Ikeda. A happy moment.
Some of our tour members standing in front of the entrance sign for the Chobe Bush Lodge before stopping by a wonderful gift shop a few feet away.
Our Non-Stop group with our afternoon game drive crew taking a refreshment break before heading out to see more.
These Elephants were blocking us from passing on this roadway and stood their ground so our game drive driver had to backup and choose another route. This was a really up close encounter.
Following along side another lion
Our tour group had a wonderful experience at Iganyana tented camp. The facilities is a great place to enjoy nature and the outdoors in a natural setting but still have many of the comforts you expect while on vacation. The staff were outstanding and helped to make this stay memorable. After dinner each evening we needed an escort to our rooms as the animals are free to roam everywhere and they tend to visit at night. Here is one of our escorts ready for any unexpected encounters.
Our group enjoying breakfast at the main lodge with a beautiful view
Our amazing view we enjoyed at each meal
Our tented cabin was spacious, clean and very comfortable.
Very nice interior for a tented cabin.
Some of our group enjoying coffee etc before breakfast in the very spacious main lodge area.
A group picture with the African plains backdrop
We had a tour of the Iganyana Tented Camp and this is the kitchen area where they cook. They collect wood from the area and burn the wood under a steel plate top where they place all their pots to cook. This fire also heats up the side area that is used to bake.
The food was great.
Our boat cruise on the Kariba Lake was peaceful and relaxing. Our boat’s name was the Sovereign and the crew was excellent. First sign we saw before heading down to our tender boat that would take us to our cruise boat.
Boats dining and lounge.
Bar area on the second floor.
Sunrise on the African Kariba river
We visited an African village on the Kariba lake and met the whole village.
They were a fishing village that used wooded cutout canoes. They lived very simple lives all helped each other.
Very moving experience to be among villagers.
We passed by a little island with a family of hippos as we left the house boat to head to Victoria falls. Another farewell surprise
Our group enjoyed the relaxing stay at Victoria Falls area. Our tour members enjoying lunch at the Ilala lodge upon our arrival to Victoria Falls.
Our group is is ready to experience Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe
Our tour group enjoyed the amazing, powerful and beautiful Victoria Falls.
With many rainbows and mist that fell like raindrops.
Victoria Falls
Victoria Falls
Our group enjoyed a sunset cruise on the Zambezi river and saw more Crocodiles, Hippos and a few Elephants along the river.
Zambezi river sunset
Getting close to the elephants at Victoria Falls Wildlife Sanctuary in Zimbabwe.
Victoria Falls Wildlife Sanctuary
Victoria Falls Wildlife Sanctuary
Our farewell dinner on the banks of the Zambezi River with African music and dance was an awesome aloha dinner for our tour group.
This was a private special event for 13 of us in the Collette tour.
Aloha from Africa!