On Safari !!!

“Safari” is the Swahili word for “journey”, and what a journey we have had! We traveled from Thakadu in Ghanzi to Central Kalahari Game Reserve (CKGR), the second largest contiguous terrestrial reserve in the world. After being there for four nights, we went back to Maun for laundry and resupply, then headed to Khwai Community Trust campground. Khwai borders Moremi Game Reserve (MGR), with the largest difference being that MGR is run by the government whereas Khwai is run by the local community that was relocated to create the reserve. The Delta’s waters bring abundant wildlife, and many sightings of critters large and small were frequent. We’re now back in Maun finishing up lectures and other activities, but here are some examples of what we saw on our own Botswana Journey.

Typical open-air safari vehicle... and perfectly safe as animals perceive the vehicle as one large unit and, when approached with experience, and remaining relaxed. Our most frequent travails were on dirt tracks.

A Kalahari sunset in a valley near our campground; sunset provides panoramic vistas as well as a change from diurnal to nocturnal animals.

Checking out two young male springboks fighting in the distance.

The class TA’s favorite antelope species, the gemsbok (also known as oryx).

 Breakfast time in the mess tent at Khwai. That’s our supply truck driver, Phil, in the background.

 A very relaxed elephant in Khwai River. Botswana has the world’s largest elephant population.

 A commonly seen Nile crocodile sunning. We nicknamed him Elvis, and he is on the Moremi Game Reserve side of the river. The sign reads “Game Reserve Boundary-- No Entry, No Hunting.” We would suggest no swimming as well.

 Though leopard sightings are considered uncommon, we were extremely fortunate to have multiple, high-quality leopard sightings. Here, a male leopard rests nearby an impala kill. The carcass was partially buried in sand to hide it from other predators and scavengers. Later that evening we saw the kill taken away by a spotted hyena.

 A martial eagle we watched hunt a group of banded mongoose, albeit unsuccessfully.

 A baby elephant and various trees silhouetted by the setting African sun.