A Wandering Sole

Montage Monday: Hippos Sunbathing in Botswana

// April 11th, 2011 // 3 Comments » // Botswana, Photo of the Week

I learned on my first safari in Kenya a few years back that, while hippos may peep their head out of the water, they usually only get out of the water at night to look for food. It’s rare to see a hippo out of the water during the day. So when I saw this family of hippos sunbathing on a little island in the Chobe River in Botswana, I knew I was witnessing a rare site.

Check out more photos from my safari in Chobe National Park.

RTW Trip: Five Months In

// August 8th, 2010 // 7 Comments » // Botswana, Cambodia, Namibia, South Africa, Travel Review

Cape of Good Hope, South Africa

Five months. That means I’m over halfway through my trip now (sad!). It was another absolutely spectacular month of travel. No time for small talk, let’s cut straight to the adventures. (more…)

A Mokoro Trip Through Botswana’s Okavango Delta

// July 30th, 2010 // 6 Comments » // Botswana

The Okavango Delta is a 16,000 sq. km. wetland comprised of lagoons, channels, and islands and is the world’s largest inland delta. It is formed where the Okavango River empties into a swamp in the Kalahari Desert, with water flowing down from the rainfall in Angola. My plans to visit Botswana revolved around visiting this enchanting place. (more…)

Chobe River Cruise: A Photo Essay

// July 29th, 2010 // 13 Comments » // Botswana

The number one place to safari in Botswana is at Chobe National Park.  Having been on a safari in Kenya two years ago, and heading on another safari when I got to Namibia, I had planned on skipping a visit to Chobe. But I met quite a few travellers who said the river cruise through Chobe was an absolute must. Everyone I met spoke with such conviction that I knew it was something I had to do. For my third night in Kasane, I was going to be camping at the swanky Chobe Safari Lodge. It’s really expensive for my shoestring budget but luckily I bought a tent back in Zambia and was prepared to camp for a tenth of the price. This lodge is where most people book their river cruise- you go out on a boat with maybe 30 other people. However, the tour company who made a new license plate for us had a cheaper tour and only 8 other people booked on it.  We departed at 3:00pm for our three hour cruise. The journalist I was traveling with had done this cruise five times and said this one was the best. And you’ll soon see why. We saw hippos laying out of the water (normally they only come out at night), there was a family of elephants crossing the water, and there were magnificent views as the sun was beginning to set. Enjoy the photos! (more…)

Snapshots from Botswana Bush Camping

// July 28th, 2010 // 2 Comments » // Botswana

While in Zambia I travelled with a girl who happened to meet a couple of NY Times Journalists who were cutting through Botswana to get to Namibia. They offered her a ride, and since I was heading to Botswana as well, I decided to tag along. The guys came to pick us up at our hostel around noon. That’s when I realized we would be sitting in the back of a covered pickup truck on top of their stuff. Always up for a new adventure, I climbed aboard. When the other girl got in, however, she accidentally stepped on the valve for the spare tire and broke it. Without their spare tire, the guys weren’t about to head into Namibia, so they were going to have to stay the night in Kasane, Botswana. On our adventures together over the next few days, I took a series of snapshots. So, I’ve decided to share them for a little bit of bush camping storytelling! (more…)

Montage Monday: The Magical Okavango Delta

// July 26th, 2010 // 2 Comments » // Botswana, Photo of the Week

I know last week’s Montage Monday was a sunset photo. But what can I say… I’m a sucker for a good sunset. I spent two days on a mokoro trip in the Okavango Delta in Botswana, and it was magical. That’s the best word I can use to describe it. Of course, I think the picture speaks for itself.