Arrival in Okavango Delta

Yesterday, we took small Embraer jet from Johannesburg to a very small airport in Maun, Botswana. We then took an even smaller 12 seater prop plane to the airstrip that serves this 12 tent lodge in the Okavango delta. After 30 minute jeep ride, we arrived at the camp and enjoyed boisterous singing by the 15 or so staff to greet us. Camp is about 1/2 full with 7 ladies from Maine on a gals tour and a pleasant couple from Hamburg (who are our companions on safari vehicle).

After quick orientation, we hit the road looking for wildlife. Being an inland delta (floodplain), terrain is very flat - largely grasslands at this time of year with groves of trees scattered throughout. Grasslands are punctuated by many phallic-like termite mounds. 

Most of these mounds are 1-3m in height while some can top 4m in my estimation. Grass can be quite thick in spots (1m high) and this can make wildlife hard to spot. That said, we had a good outing yesterday afternoon. 

We were also treated to a dramatic thunderstorm which we don't often get at home.

Like the last place, vehicle is a modified Toyota Land Cruiser that will bulldoze through anything. 

That's our guide Comic driving sporting his lucky hat. Note hyena just beyond the hat. Birgit and Hans Peter from Hamburg up front. 

That's it for now and I'll close this post by thanking my golf buddy Art for suggesting that we visit this beautiful and unique area.