Elephants in Chobe Botswana

Safari in Chobe National Park, Botswana

Having done walking safari, boat safari, I was ready for the jeep safari at Chobe.  As with the other mornings, I was dressed in layers, slathered in sunscreen and bug repellent with my backpack full of supplies, excited and ready to go.  I quickly consumed a power bar for breakfast and met […]

Chobe Safari Lodge view of lake

Chobe Safari Lodge, Botswana

A quick drive from the Kasane airport, the Chobe Safari Lodge was well situated on the water for the safari boat ride and close to the entrance to the Chobe National Park for which the game drives would take place. Arriving at the lodge, you notice there are no doors […]

Chobe National Park safari cruise

Chobe National Park, Botswana (boat cruise)

Within five minutes on the safari cruise on the Chobe River, I saw the elephants on the river bank. Having walked in the Okavanago for three days prior in search of elephants, I had been happy seeing one up close.  Here in Chobe, they were everywhere – on the banks of the river, […]

Okavango Delta Botswana

Bush Plane Flights in Botswana

The small bush plane in the Okavango Delta is the only way in/out of camp for guests and villagers.  When I arrived with the other two couples, I thought the small plane was enough of a thrill for the short flight and I was happy to be on the ground.  […]

Okavango Delta skeleton

Zebras on Day Three in the Okavanago Delta of Botswana

Waking up in my tent at 5:30 am was easy (this from someone who utilizes the snooze button to barely make it out of bed by 7am!) on my third day in camp – I was exhausted the night before from my full day in camp – the morning trek, the shower in the […]

Okavango Delta landscape

Okavango Delta Morning Safari Walk at Oddballs’ Camp

Day 2 on my Okavango Delta Walking Safari at Oddballs’ Camp begins at 5:30 (wake up call/visit to tent) with a light snack/coffee before heading out at 7am to start the first of two walks today.  My breakfast of champions this early is a power bar that I brought with me. […]

South African Flag

Safari Tip: Shipping Luggage from Johannesburg to Capetown

Checking into the Intercontinental Johannesburg, I arrived with two bags and a backpack.  Upon checkout, I would needed to be one bag lighter and make the weight (I bought a small travel scale just in case as backup) by shipping luggage ahead to Capetown.   The hotel was the perfect spot […]

Leopard paw

South Africa Safari Award Ticket – Flying SAA from IAD to JNB

So while it sounds great to say “I’m going on safari in Africa with an award ticket”, the reality is that I needed to reposition myself to Washington, DC from Philadelphia via Amtrak for the SAA flight from IAD to JNB (Johannesburg, South Africa).  The South African Airways (SAA) flight […]

Oddballs' Camp Safari Tent

Packing for Safari – Which Duffel Bag is Best? How Many Bags to Bring?

When it comes to packing, over the years, I have gotten much better learning to travel with less.  So while I was told one bag on the bush plane, I didn’t really understand in practical terms how I would be packing for safari.  I think I knew but buried it deep down […]