We load into our trucks for the final day in Chobe. We jokingly refer to our wish list, but we have been blessed to see an incredible number of animals and so close. I knew we would see them, but I envisioned they would be in the distance like the first day. Never did I think they would be right next to us. I thank God for this opportunity to see his creation!
As we head out of the camp, the shout goes up, “Hyena”! We all strain forward and along the road trots a spotted hyena. These are scavengers, and this one is searching the road in the early morning for road kill. Brilliant! Their scat is normally filled with fur, and turns white in the sun from the calcium of bones they have eaten.
Hyenas have powerful shoulders and jaws and are one of the Ugly Five. Yea, we’ve see all of the “uglies” - vultures, Maribou stocks, wildebeast, warthogs, and hyenas!
Our guides are amazing trackers and often point out animal prints in the road. He believes lions are nearby, and as we round a curve, there is a pride of tawny colored top predators lying in and on each side of the road. Six female and young males, but wait, up ahead in the road is a shaggy headed adult male lion in all his glory!
We cannot believe our morning....hyena, and now male lion. Our truck is stopped, and the engine is off, and I think, “I hope we don’t have to make a fast escape”! I stand up in the second row to get a better look and quietly but firmly told to “Sit down”. The lions were calm but watching us guardedly. I am told that anyone standing or making a sudden movement will be seen as a threat to them, and they might attack. You can’t help but admire their huge paws and subtle strength
We watch these magnificent beasts sun themselves in the warm road. We are especially fascinated by the male as he blinks and preens and shows his profile. We are so close I can see the flies around the lions’ noses and the swollen ticks around their eyes.
After 20-30 minutes, the lions tire of our stares, and walk into the bush. The male stretches, marks his territory as king, gives us a final look while licking his chops, and struts after his harem. We are so excited!
The game drive continues with more warthogs which are finally calm enough for me to take pictures of their tusks and faces.
Giraffes, kudus, and impalas with oxpeckers so close I watch them clean ears and faces. Birds, monkeys, and in a pile of elephant poop, we spot dung beetles! We add them to our Small Five list.
We stop by a pond to watch a pod of hippos. Finally, we see some out of the water and closer for photos.
A large bull elephant wanders out of the bush heading to the river. It glances our way but is more interested in a long drink. Slowly, he lowers himself into the water and rolls! As we watch him, more elephants emerge which may be the ones we watched yesterday since there are multiple ages. The bull, finished with his bath, powders himself by throwing dirt on his back.
We are thoroughly entertained as this memorial of pachyderms enjoy an afternoon mud bath! The babies are rolling in the mud and youngsters are splashing reminding me of human children. The adults sling mud up into the air and coat their skin to deal with the heat and insects. I take dozens of pictures hoping to capture some of the joy these elephants seem to express and are certainly giving us!
We look behind and here comes another large bull getting closer with each mighty step. Our guide moves the truck forward to give him plenty of space to pass and join the other elephants. He lumbers by swinging his trunk ignoring us as if we are part of the landscape. We, however, are glued to our seats since he could certainly change his mind and perceive us as a threat.
The elephants finish their mud baths and blend back into the bush grazing and shaking tree limbs as they go. Our game drive isn’t over, but we agree the day couldn’t be better - hyena, male lion, and elephants playing in the mud. But wait, where is that leopard? One member of our group quips that “You can let the leopard out of his cage anytime!”
We see another leopard tortoise, hippos, and giraffes. In a field, impalas and zebras are grazing together and a sable antelope joins them.
We return to camp ready for another Cultural Night with staff. I am sad to leave, but a final kudo joins us in the valley below. I say goodbye to my favorite “loo with a view” with a stunning sunset.
Another day in Africa!
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