At 0630 we joined Charl and Shar for our final session on the Chobe River. We did a number of repeat encounters including photographing lilac rollers and small green bee-eater birds.
The conditions were near perfect for photographing reflections so we spent some time trying various techniques to capture the best shots of cormorants and darters whose reflections were vivid.
Reflections on Chobe River
We then spent an extended period sitting in the boat whilst stationary on the riverbank near a large pod of hippopotamuses. The location was intended for rest and coffees but that changed when three pairs of skimmers put on an aerial exhibition for us lasting nearly half an hour. They circled our boat and flew frantically around us for this time obviously going through some form of mating ritual. We photographed them and despite the fact that they were a constantly moving target we did manage to get some good shots of this extremely rare African bird.
Pod of hippopotamus
Skimmers
Skimmers
Skimmers
African Jakana (Jesus bird)
Water lilies
After brunch we checked out of our Chobe Bush Lodge Hotel and joined our new driver who transported us through to the border with Zimbabwe.
Staff at Chobe Bush Lodge
The border crossing went very smoothly and we then changed vehicles and driver and drove for an hour to Victoria Falls township where we met our guide from Pioneers Lodge.
He organised our permits to enter the Zambezi National Park and we headed off on an hour’s drive down a very rough and corrugated road to Pioneers. This is an eco-resort perched on the banks of the Zambezi River about 20km upstream from the Victoria Falls.
On arrival we were shown to our tents and after settling in we did a 5km paddle down the Zambezi River. This entailed us paddling in an inflated two-person rubber canoe. The dangers were minimal apart from the need to avoid hippos and crocodiles that apparently don’t take too kindly to people who invade their territory. The canoe ride downstream was great fun and involved some areas where the rapids generated half metre high waves which caused a bumpy ride and much merriment.
Our tent at Pioneers Camp
Canoeing down the Zambesi River
Corinne & Jak canoeing down Zambezie River (photo by Malcolm Wells)
After the hour and a half canoe trip we were met by another member of the Pioneer Lodge team who offered us refreshments (G&Ts & snacks) as they loaded the canoes onto the truck.
Malcolm, Jak, Corinne & Rae having sundowners by the Zambezie River
They then brought us home to camp for pre-dinner drinks which we had around a lovely campfire. A thoroughly enjoyable meal was then served in the open tent dining area and we then headed for bed.
As our safari tent is about 200m from the main camp we need to have an escort at night because of the likelihood of encounters with hippos, lions or elephants in the dark between there and our tent. We are located right on the riverbank, a mere 10m from the mighty Zambezi River. Hippos are close by as the grunts and other peculiar noises are quite audible.