Wild Life Encounters in Africa

 

Cheetah in Namibia ©Solange Hando

Did you know? Namibia was the first country to include conservation in its Constitution and in this big but sparsely populated country, wild life always has the right of way.

There are 200 mammal species on land and you will see them all over the country but top attraction is the Ethiopia National Park in the north where I came across this beautiful cheetah in the nearby AfriCat Foundation reserve.

                                                                     Elephants in Botswana ©Solange Hando

This is in the Chobe National Park by the namesake river, a wonderful place to see the wild life, especially in the dry season. 

Lions, giraffes, buffaloes, gazelles and more, it's amazing but my favourites were the elephants, such as this mother and babe who just swam across the river to spend the night on Sedudu island, the safest place for the young.

                                                             Gelada Baboons in Ethiopia ©Solange Hando

What's special about them? They're only found in the Ethiopian Highlands with the largest population in the Simien Mountains.

Notice the young one on the left clinging to his mum and to the right the father, displaying the red patch on his chest. The larger the patch, the more attractive he will be to the other sex.

                                                               Penguins in South Africa ©Solange Hando

This is Boulder Beach, not far from Cape Town and part of the Table Mountain National Park Marine Area. Stay on the trail, keep quiet and enjoy the display as they wobble across the white sand and you might even spot a baby's head popping out of a nest. 

Others venture up on the granite rocks, sharing the space with cormorants drying their wings in the hot African sun.

                                                                         Rhino in Zambia ©Solange Hando

How close is that on a walking safari? Pretty close as we trekked in single file, two of us with six armed guards to keep away poachers, not rhinos... Not far from the Victoria Falls, so if you go there, check it out.

Black rhinos are a true success story in Zambia though you do find white ones too. Both similar colour but the difference between black and white simply refers to the length of the horns and shape of the lips.

                                                                     Lemur in Madagascar ©Solange Hando

What an island this is, so rich in flora and fauna, best known of course, the incredible lemurs living undisturbed in their natural habitats.

There are over 100 species of lemurs -and probably more yet to be discovered-, though my favourites were the playful ring-tailed, the black and white indri, the largest we know, and this lovely silky sifaka and babe, often called the dancing lemur, hopping along with the grace of a ballerina.

                                                                Sunset with the Wild Life, Namibia ©Solange Hando

 

Southern Africa my Favourite Spots

 

South Africa Drakensberg ©Solange Hando

The Zulus call it 'Barrier of Spears' and this is the highest mountain range in the country. A place for stunning views, rare species and spectacular sunsets.

Drive all the way up to the Sani pass if you dare, 2784 metres, enjoy a meal in the pub and if time allows, spend the night in a traditional rondavel or pop over the border into Lesotho.

                                                               Namib Desert ©Solange Hando

This is the 'sea of sand' spreading all along the coast of Namibia, across the borders and inland for up to 120 km. They say it is the oldest desert in the world and claims some of the highest dunes.

This is an amazing place with dried up oases and skeleton trees but at times some unexpected greenery benefitting from moisture from the nearby Atlantic. Look out for wild life, including the oryx gazelle, Namibia's national animal.

                                                            Victoria Falls in Zambia ©Solange Hando

Plunging down to 108 metres, the Victoria Falls spread 17 km across Zambia and Zimbabwe- the quieter side-, protected by Unesco and national parks on both sides.

On the Zambian side, you can walk along the 'knife's edge' bridge but only the brave should bathe in the Devil's Pool on Livingstone Island. 

                                                     Chobe National Park in Botswana ©Solange Hando

Easily accessed from neighbouring Zambia, this is a great wilderness of wetlands and riverine forest meandering along the blue Chobe river.

It's a haven for wild life on land and water, elephants, giraffes, hippos, crocs, buffaloes and more, and 460 species of birds. One of the best safaris in Africa.

                                                       Madagascar Land of Lemurs ©Solange Hando

Off the east coast of Africa in the Indian Ocean, this is a big island but two national parks are relatively close to Antananarivo, the capital, most popular Andasibe, a four hour drive or so.

Andasibe's easy trails give you to chance to see a range of lemurs in the wild, including the indri, the largest- and the beautiful 'dancing lemur', as seen on the picture. 

                                                                  Reunion Island ©Solange Hando

Just east of Madagascar, Reunion is a volcanic hotspot, all ravines, gorges and peaks, very green except for the Furnace Peak which erupts every few months.

But in this far away French department, there's plenty to do and see from forlorn villages and mountain treks to tropical beaches and seaside resorts with few crowds.

                                                                 Mauritius ©Solange Hando

          Then if you need to relax, just check out the paradise island of Mauritius in the Indian Ocean.

Travels on my Birthday

Taiwan ©Solange Hando

Which birthday? Well, let us say somewhere on the wiser side of middle-age.

Lovely celebration with the Tsou tribe up in the hills... See the tiny peach in my right hand? Straight from the garden and a special present from the family.

Rio de Janeiro ©Solange Hando

Well, I could show you the clocktower near the beach confirming the date but this is a much more exciting picture.

Loved this view from Corcovado and in the afternoon, went up the Sugar loaf  (front right) up two cable cars. Fabulous.

Namibia ©Solange Hando

I loved Namibia and I still dream about this beautiful cheetah out in the wild, just posing for my birthday, it seemed, in the heat of the day.

Did you know Namibia was the first country in the world to include conservation in its Constitution?

Wildlife always has the right of way and it certainly works, can't beat it.

Peru ©Solange Hando

Hold on, don't let me drift!

This is me on Lake Titicaca with the Uros Indians who build their homes on reed islands. Up there, on the roof of the world, this was indeed an amazing day.

Madagascar ©Solange Hando

My birthday wish? There it was, a real lemur in the wild, hard work for me clambering through the forest but so easy for them swinging from branch to branch...

Watched many different species in different areas, guides knew exactly where to go.

Reunion Island ©Solange Hando

Something I'd never done before, flying on a microflight over a volcanic island...on the other side of the world.

Scenery wise, never seen any island as dramatic as this one, canyons, craters and peaks everywhere and, would you believe it, this is a French department...

Costa Rica ©Solange Hando

Celebrating with Local Farmer

Remembering lots of  happy times

and planning many more
Blogged on my birhday
at home
Lockdown 2020

Chobe Safari Lodge, Botswana

Sunset on the River from Chobe Safari Lodge ©Solange Hando

The Chobe Safari Lodge is located on the bank of the river by the same name, on the edge of Botswana's oldest national park.

This sunset view was taken from the hotel Sedudu Bar, set on stilts at the water's edge, hopefully far enough from hippos and crocodiles.

Guest Room at the Chobe Safari Lodge, Botswana ©Solange Hando

The Chobe Safari Lodge has 8 rondavels, or thatched circular huts, and 68 rooms with balcony or raised patio. Rooms have air conditioning, mosquito nets and repellent, tea and coffee facilities and TV.

WiFi is available in public places and free of charge. Other amenities include a swimming pool, beauty salon, a craft shop, two bars and an open-sided restaurant.

Grounds are spacious with trees and lawns where you are sure to spot banded mongooses, monkeys and warthogs. There is also a camp site at the far end of the compound.

Colour in Rest Room ©Solange Hando

The lodge is tastefully furnished in African style with amazing wooden ceilings in public areas and lovely details here and there reflecting the skill of local craftsmen and artists, such as painted birds in in the rest room washbasins.

Dawn Safari, Expect the Unexpected ©Solange Hando

The Chobe lodge offers a range of activities from day trips to the Victoria Falls and visits to Zimbabwe or to the nearest Namibian village but top attraction is bird and game viewing either on water or land.

There are 560 species of birds in the park and all the big game you would expect except rhinos. Sightings can't be guaranteed but guides do their utmost to please their guests, even if it means getting stuck in the sand.

Watching us Watching them ©Solange Hando

No problem, they'd eaten well...

Botswana Chobe National Park, Wildlife Sightings

Chobe National Park from the Light Aircraft, Water and Land ©Solange Hando

Rich in wetlands, savannah and forest, the Chobe National Park lies in Botswana, a haven for wildlife, close to the border with Namibia, Zimbabwe and Zambia.

This is the only place in the world where four countries meet and it happens in the middle of the Chobe river, at the Kazungula crossing.

 Fun in Chobe ©Solange Hando

In the dry season, wildlife migrates from across the borders, attracted by the river and surrounding wetlands.

Elephants come top of the list, with up to 160,000 recorded at that time, the world's highest concentration. You find them in the forest and along the banks of the Chobe where in the late afternoon, some swim across to Sedudu island for the night.

Having a Snooze on Sedudu Island ©Solange Hando

Sedudu means the 'hippo pod' and there are plenty of these massive and seemingly placid creatures both in the water and on land. This mother and her 6 months old young took no notice of us but the ranger was as excited as we were. This was the first baby hippo he had spotted in 10 years.

The island was once disputed territory with Namibia but when the channel on the Botswana side was measured and proved shallower, it was granted to the latter.

Giraffes by the Chobe River ©Solange Hando

Theses giraffes were also spotted by the river, the young one splaying its legs, as giraffes do, to drink or nibble short wet grass.

The iconic entwining of necks often seen at mating time is not romantic at all but indicates rivalry between two males.

Too Close for Comfort? ©Solange Hando

Rather more awesome are the myriad crocodiles swimming in the river or sunning themselves on the banks, mouth wide open to cool down.

The picture was taken from the relative safety of a small boat but these crocs have been known to snatch humans who strayed too close to the water. This is no place for riverside picnics, or even a stroll.

Prowling in the Sunset  ©Solange Hando

The park supports large numbers of birds, impala, buffaloes, baboons and other creatures, large and small, but for many visitors, the greatest thrill is seeing a lion, or lioness as above.

After a kill, scores of vultures gather in the tree tops, waiting for their turn to feed, and on any game drive, looking up, not down, is probably the best way to find the king or queen of the Chobe jungle.