Muchenje Safari Lodge

From the Zambezi Queen we went back into Botswana and drove a couple of hours to the Muchenje Safari Lodge in the Chobe National Park. It has the most concentration of elephants in Africa.

Our Chalet was terrific although getting there was a bit hairy at times. Elephants regularly stationed themselves across the pathway to our Chalet. There was a Murola Tree with fruit at the side of the path. This is the elephants favorite food. We had to get the guards to move them on which was quite difficult at times. Two mornings we were woken by baboons playing on our thatched roof. They were very noisy and took delight in jumpimg across from side to side. Fortunately they cannot undo locks yet.

We had mosquito netting around our bed as Malaria is quite common there.

We went out on Safari every day and some nights. Yesterday I did a dawn Safari but Darren failed to rise as he had had a huge night with the manager.

On the all day Safari - 1/2 day in 4 x 4 and 1/2 day on a tender we saw lions twice. Very unusal.

The first time Lips our Guide followed fresh paw prints and found 2 young lions by the river. We parked so close. Lips assured us that all was ok because the lions think we are one big animal. We had to sit really still and not make any sudden movements. It was amazing.

In the afternoon we found a lioness with her 2 cubs just after she had made a kill. She brought down an Impala. This time we were in the small boat. We pulled into the bank. She and the cubs were about 5 meters away under some trees. About 1/2 an hour later she picked up a cub and want to the rivers edge to drink. The other cub followed. She and the cubs were only about 3 meters away. Breath taking. No one was allowed to move. I have photos. A 22yo Spanish kid decided to stand to take some better photos. He was quickly pulled down and told to sit still and shut up. I still can't believe that we saw lions twice and got so close.

A great day!!