I had it all planned. Up early and a decent walk up the hill from the hotel to the main road that connects Kasane to Namibia.
I had barely covered 500m when a Dept of Wildlife bakkie stopped next to me. The official very politely asked if I had ever been here before. I replied I had. He then said it is very dangerous to walk where I was. I was about to tell him that I was from Cape Town, one of the murder capitals of the world, and was attuned to assessing unsafe situations. Lucky I did not.
He then told me that yesterday 9 lions were resting about another 500m from where I was and there were buffalo about as well. In addition elephants had crossed the road ahead some time ago. He told me to turn around and rather walk the road in Kasane village.
It was only then that I noticed the elephant dung, the waterbuck in the bush and the buck peeking from it's cover. Clearly I have some adjustment to do.
You may ask why I am holed up in relative luxury and not on the bush road in the wilds. The answer is that when planning the trip the Covid protocols were still in place and I would have had to get a PCR test in Kasane prior to heading north as the one I would have had in Cape Town would have expired. Things have changed with only the vax certificate needed, but I had already made the arrangements to stay in Kasane. Also after four days of solid travelling it is very pleasant to relax.
Chobe Safari Lodge is a lovely place on the river. The staff are wonderful, the food good and the rooms first class. Chantal and Conny fly in later today from Cape Town.
Tomorrow we have an early morning game drive in the Chobe National Park and in the afternoon a river cruise. So will report on those tomorrow.
What a beautiful evening view 😀