Okavango River Delta

We got up early as usual and went on a short game drive. It truely amazes us how many animals we can see in just one or two hours! One field held elephants, zebra and Sessebes (aka topi). Six Impala wre running around in another field biding for dominance. We spotted a Kudu near a Mopani tree and Mr Fish point out a Marula tree that produces berries from which Amarila liquore is made. 

Then we spent quite a long time watching a large troop of baboons feeding on a Mopani tree. The other Jeep encountered a bull elephant in the road who trumpeted them and then charged!

At mid-morning we boarded a boat for a six hour ride up the Okavango River Delta. This river begins in Angola then runs to the Botswana border where a faultline spreads it out into five fingers. The water continues south until it hits another faultline where it just disappears.

Lunch on the river & our daily history lesson from Stanley.

Most of the trip all we could see were the papyrus, bullrushes, reeds, bamboo and cattails that lines both sides of the channel along with the waterlilies. But there were areas where the channel widened into a lake and we saw hippos, a kudu and an elephant swimming across the river! They are excellent swimmers! Lots of birds hanging out like the Malachite Kingfisher, Hadeda Ibis, and bee eaters.

We received a rousing musical welcome to the Xagana (prouncd ka-ga-na) Lodge along with cold wash clothes, juice and a warm welcome from all the staff and the manager. We had barely gotten settled when they whisked us off for a boat ride and an evening canoe ride. Except they are called Mokoros which used to be carved from a tree trunk but are now made of fiberglass and propelled by a man and pole. This is where we were introduced to the Angola tree frog and long reed frog and both would fit on my thumbnail! Followed by cocktails at sunset.

The cottages at the lodge are so pretty with wood floors, thatched roofs and bamboo stick walls. The most important thing is they have hot showers and flush toilets! Our patios look out over the lake. We have to be escorted at night since the wild animals roam freely through the area.

Before dinner we were entertained with song and dance by the staff. It was a lovely dinner on the deck under the stars. Beautiful night.