June 1, 2016

Today I got picked up in an open air Landcruiser at 545 a.m. for the 6 a.m. game drive in Chobe National Park. Chobe is Botswana’s 1^st national park and is also one of the most biologically diverse. It boasts one of the most highly concentrated elephant populations in Africa, with some reports estimating 50,000 (thanks smart Australian lady). Lions, giraffes, baboons, and hippos also call this area home. Needless to say, this place has been high on my list .

There is something so magical and peaceful when the world begins to wake up for the day. This could not be more true than in Chobe at sunrise. Literally within 10 minutes of entering the park, our driver stops and points, “There!” “Where?” I say. “There!” he says again pointing out the left side of the vehicle. It was like the first time you saw Star Wars as a kid. I looked over and there was a lion.  I was mesmerized. She sauntered her way past the vehicle within 10 feet while making an “Err” grunt. The entire encounter happened so fast and the light was still dim that I barely had time to get my camera. The memory and sound will be etched in my brain.

We spent the next 3 hours plowing through the sandy paths looking for other local residents. Before the morning was thru, we had come across 4 giraffes, dozens of baboons, hippos, several jackals, and literally hundreds of impalas (but NO elephants). One of the giraffes was darker in color, skinnier, and was alone. We were told that their skin darkens with age and they wander along alone when they get older. Sad…