2018 Botswana Overland Expedition
- Thread starter smlobx
- Start date
longhorn1
Ouch, that stings!
Wow. This is awesome. You have peaked my attention. Looking forward to more. jd
WOW thanks for the photo posting.
What incredible animal shots.
Thia has to be a journey of a lifetime.
Thanks for taking the time to post your trip.
Frank
What incredible animal shots.
Thia has to be a journey of a lifetime.
Thanks for taking the time to post your trip.
Frank
Advmoto18
Senior Member
Thanks for sharing Eddie!
Great read and even better images!
Great read and even better images!
smlobx
Lost again
We spent the next two days exploring The Pans. The remoteness and absolute quietness, particularly in the morning was awe inspiring.
The second night it was our (Terri's ) turn to make dinner and she made Pasta Putanesca, a very aromatic and tasty dish. Nicolas joked (I thought) that .."the lions will come tonight". Well about 4:00 in the morning while we were all sleeping in our RTT's we were awoken by a deep and persistently loud growling that was about 50 to 100 feet behind us (we are the middle truck in the picture below). Terri grabbed my arm and asked me if that was what she thought it was...my response..a very quiet "sisshhh"! The lion circled our site for a while and about 5 am Nicolas said to remain in the tent until he gave the OK...no problem Nico! He finally gave the all clear about 7 am but I waited until everyone else got out of their tent first!
Here's a lion footprint we found the next morning as well..
The second night it was our (Terri's ) turn to make dinner and she made Pasta Putanesca, a very aromatic and tasty dish. Nicolas joked (I thought) that .."the lions will come tonight". Well about 4:00 in the morning while we were all sleeping in our RTT's we were awoken by a deep and persistently loud growling that was about 50 to 100 feet behind us (we are the middle truck in the picture below). Terri grabbed my arm and asked me if that was what she thought it was...my response..a very quiet "sisshhh"! The lion circled our site for a while and about 5 am Nicolas said to remain in the tent until he gave the OK...no problem Nico! He finally gave the all clear about 7 am but I waited until everyone else got out of their tent first!
Here's a lion footprint we found the next morning as well..
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smlobx
Lost again
With the recent "almost encounter" fresh in our minds we set off the following morning in search of more wildlife. As we approached a particularly large flat area that contained hundreds of various species of antelope one of our friends called me on the radio to let me know that my rear tire was going flat...Keep in mind that it was still dark..but we had to change the tire before we could go any further.
In the true spirit of adventure all the guys jumped out and proceeded to start the process while the two women stood guard making sure we wouldn't become breakfast for some carnivore...
Onward!
In the true spirit of adventure all the guys jumped out and proceeded to start the process while the two women stood guard making sure we wouldn't become breakfast for some carnivore...
Onward!
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smlobx
Lost again
Bridges and ferries..
Due to the river flooding we encountered we had to make several detours in order to get to our intended destinations. Many times we had to cross a wooden bridge that looked pretty sketchy. That's why we only had one vehicle on the bridge at a time.
We also had to take a bush ferry across a small river that in normal times we could have forded. Notice the small outboard on the side. There was one on each end of the barge depending upon which way it was going. The ferry cost us 150 Pula ( ~$15) each which was steep but there wasn't another option...
Due to the river flooding we encountered we had to make several detours in order to get to our intended destinations. Many times we had to cross a wooden bridge that looked pretty sketchy. That's why we only had one vehicle on the bridge at a time.
We also had to take a bush ferry across a small river that in normal times we could have forded. Notice the small outboard on the side. There was one on each end of the barge depending upon which way it was going. The ferry cost us 150 Pula ( ~$15) each which was steep but there wasn't another option...
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smlobx
Lost again
Okavango Delta..
On our second week we took a side trip into the Okavango Delta. The Botswanan government has given concessions to the local villages to manage and use as a source of income various regions of the Delta. We booked a trip into the Delta for an overnight trip.
We met our guides at the waters edge where we got into dug out canoes and our guides poled us for about 2 hours to reach the island we're we would be spending the next day or so.
The water was crystal clear and of course the locals drink it even though there was a lot of wildlife from elephants to hippos to crocodiles in the water. We also saw evidence of several fires and we never could get a straight answer as to why they were happening. They said that it was because of tourists who smoked but after a discussion we thought it was to keep the larger animals away from the villages and to promote fresh vegetation growth if that makes sense.
The next morning we went on an 8 mile walk around the island and were able to see a tremendous variety of wildlife. An interesting note, the animals were much more wary of us when we were walking around then when we were in the Land Cruisers..
On our second week we took a side trip into the Okavango Delta. The Botswanan government has given concessions to the local villages to manage and use as a source of income various regions of the Delta. We booked a trip into the Delta for an overnight trip.
We met our guides at the waters edge where we got into dug out canoes and our guides poled us for about 2 hours to reach the island we're we would be spending the next day or so.
The water was crystal clear and of course the locals drink it even though there was a lot of wildlife from elephants to hippos to crocodiles in the water. We also saw evidence of several fires and we never could get a straight answer as to why they were happening. They said that it was because of tourists who smoked but after a discussion we thought it was to keep the larger animals away from the villages and to promote fresh vegetation growth if that makes sense.
The next morning we went on an 8 mile walk around the island and were able to see a tremendous variety of wildlife. An interesting note, the animals were much more wary of us when we were walking around then when we were in the Land Cruisers..
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smlobx
Lost again
Just a few more..I promise
One of Terri's bucket list items on this trip was to be able to see the big cats and up until the last day of the trip we had been skunked. Suddenly, three lions crossed in front of us and proceeded to take station at a termite mound about twenty five feet from us. I was a little concerned about opening the window but just had to do it...
The next day we arrived back where we started, the Chobe River Lodge and decided to take one of their late afternoon river cruises. We were not disappointed and were able to get very close or a jaguar who initially was not happy to see us but when he realized that we meant him no harm just laid back on the bank like the big dog he was!
One of Terri's bucket list items on this trip was to be able to see the big cats and up until the last day of the trip we had been skunked. Suddenly, three lions crossed in front of us and proceeded to take station at a termite mound about twenty five feet from us. I was a little concerned about opening the window but just had to do it...
The next day we arrived back where we started, the Chobe River Lodge and decided to take one of their late afternoon river cruises. We were not disappointed and were able to get very close or a jaguar who initially was not happy to see us but when he realized that we meant him no harm just laid back on the bank like the big dog he was!
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smlobx
Lost again
As an amateur photographer (with a new Nikon camera) I sometimes wish that I wasn't the driver as well. My love is actually landscape photography for the most part and the sunsets we experienced were unbelievable to put it mildly.
Here are a few of my favorites..
I'll be happy to answer any questions you may have..
Thanks for allowing me to post this trip.
Here are a few of my favorites..
I'll be happy to answer any questions you may have..
Thanks for allowing me to post this trip.
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pvstoy
Senior Member
Hey Eddie,
You did good and thank you so much for sharing your story and images. What a nice experience to be able to drive yourself and camp out. It looked like you had some freedom by not being in a safari vehicle with other tourist. Looks like a trip that we would enjoy doing but would frustrate others in the group when we would want to sit and watch/photograph a animal for hours at a time.
We like the Chobe River as we have been there three times and have booked 2 more times in the near future. Being a photographer in a custom boat on the Chobe is great. The Chobe is such a target rich environment that never disappoints with a variety of wildlife opportunities. Attached is a image of the boat we use. It has center swivel chairs with a gimble on wheels for our big lenses. The company even will supply Nikon camera and lenses that you can use. CNP is the company.
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You did good and thank you so much for sharing your story and images. What a nice experience to be able to drive yourself and camp out. It looked like you had some freedom by not being in a safari vehicle with other tourist. Looks like a trip that we would enjoy doing but would frustrate others in the group when we would want to sit and watch/photograph a animal for hours at a time.
We like the Chobe River as we have been there three times and have booked 2 more times in the near future. Being a photographer in a custom boat on the Chobe is great. The Chobe is such a target rich environment that never disappoints with a variety of wildlife opportunities. Attached is a image of the boat we use. It has center swivel chairs with a gimble on wheels for our big lenses. The company even will supply Nikon camera and lenses that you can use. CNP is the company.
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Thanks for taking the time to post your trip photos.
What a great experience.
Frank
What a great experience.
Frank
smlobx
Lost again
Patrick-
We saw those boats when we were on the river and commented to our friends that it was a great set up!
I was actually surprised how well the Nikon did when I turned on the VR switch to eliminate movement. I brought a tripod but due to the situation I didn't have a chance to use it. I hope to on our next trip, possibly to Namibia, and photograph the night sky...As I'm sure you know with virtually no pollution both light and other the night skies were amazing!
We saw those boats when we were on the river and commented to our friends that it was a great set up!
I was actually surprised how well the Nikon did when I turned on the VR switch to eliminate movement. I brought a tripod but due to the situation I didn't have a chance to use it. I hope to on our next trip, possibly to Namibia, and photograph the night sky...As I'm sure you know with virtually no pollution both light and other the night skies were amazing!
smlobx
Lost again
My pleasure Frank!Casa Escarlata Robles Too said:
I hope everyone has a great 4th! We're off to the mountains this am to escape this ridiculous heat wave...
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