I don't get this experience every day. I feel like my drone is only slightly smaller than this helicopter. It was an amazing view. As we flew I could see the arid, desert environment around Maun, give way to the lush green seasonal swamps and rivers of the Okavango Delta.
Today our safari across Africa, has culminated into a trip to one of Africa's great wilderness locations. We started the day in the buzzing metropolis of Johannesburg, but left the city life behind after a short one-hour flight to Maun, Botswana. This is the typical jumping off point to get into the famed Okavango Delta. However, we were not going to do the normal bush plane ride. Today I had something special set up. We were led out to two small helicopters, loaded up with our bags, and set out on a scenic flight into the wild.
Arriving by helicopter, we watched the landscape turn from arid sandy desert, into lush ribbons of water. Herds of elephants weaved their way through palm covered islands, and wilderness stretched out to the horizon in every direction. I wouldn't say that Greg and Sue's student pilot nailed the landing, but we all arrived safely. Our guide, Rich, sped over to meet us, and whisked us back to our home in the Delta, the Sandibe Okavango Safari Lodge. The entire crew came out to welcome us with a song, a scented wet towel, and a very refreshing drink.
Sandibe is pure magic- elegant, yet earthy, and seamlessly woven into the nature around it. The main lodge represents one of my favorite animals, the pangolin, with the overlapping shingles and rounded top. Our rooms opened up to private plunge pools overlooking endless flood plains. I'm excited to see what animals I could see while in the plunge pool over the next few days!
The Okavango Delta is known by some as the 'safari of safaris.' It is an oasis, surrounded by harsh, arid, desert. Water travels down from the highlands of Angola, through Namibia, finally spreading out into the largest inland delta in the world. Its winding waterways form a cradle of life for all kinds of wildlife. Our first game drive sets the tone for the entire experience. In the soft, golden light of the late afternoon, we had herds of elephants, flapping their huge ears to stay cool. Then to our surprise, they flush out two resting male lions, who just happened to have laid down in the elephants path. Size trumps claws this time, and the male lions calmly stand up and move our direction. One pauses to scope out the newcomers (us!), before moving off for a different resting place.
Not too far away from here we come across the rest of the pride of lions. They are all laying on top of each other in a cozy 'cuddle puddle' of mothers and cubs. One cub stood up, stretched, gave us a big yawn, then rejoined the cuddle puddle again. We awed at our first Okavango sunset, before heading back to the lodge for a wonderful feast, compliments of the amazing chef Theo.
After three weeks on safari, one would wonder how things could keep getting better... yet each day does. I can only described it so well with words. This is something that just has to be experienced.
The adventure continues. Our great African safari now takes us deep into the Okavango Delta in Botswana. How will we get there...by private helicopter of course.
This is what this part of Botswana would look like if it didn't get seasonal flood waters from the highlands of Angola, creating the biggest inland delta in the world. You can just see the lush green starting at the very top of the horizon.
Ok, which buttons am I not allowed to push?
I see why we need two helicopters for the three of us. This one only fits me, the pilot, and our bags.
So this just happened. After flying from Johannesburg to Maun, we loaded up two of these tiny helicopters, and flew deep into the Okavango Delta for the last leg of the wildlife portion of our Great African Safari.
Let's go for a ride! Scenic helicopter flight into the fabled Okavango Delta.
What a view! I even had room to stretch out my legs, as long as I didn't hit any of the controls....which was hard not to do.
Greg and Sue, flying above the Okavango Delta in their private helicopter transfer to the amazing Sandibe Safari Lodge.
The crew of Sandibe Safari Lodge were quite excited to see us. They sang and danced as we arrived and had a wonderful harmony. Later we found out that they often place first in singing competitions with other lodges. They have our vote!
No drones allowed, but who needs them when you have a scenic helicopter flight.
Elephants walking along the trails, holding hands by holding tails. Sue casually mentioned that she saw elephants out of her helicopter this afternoon.
A western barn owl peeks out through a hole in a massive baobob tree in the Okavango Delta.
Shortly after seeing the barn owl, we spotted this huge Verreaux's Eagle Owl.
One of our first sightings after flying into the Okavango was this massive male lion being chased out of his resting place by a family of much bigger elephants.
The powerful gaze of a male lion. They usually treat you and the safari vehicle like you are not even there. They don't even seem to notice you, or care at all. But every once in a while, one will lock their gaze on you and you start to understand the constant terror that life for prey must be like in the wilds of Africa.
These two male lions must have had their fair share of scuffles. The bright red wound on the face of this lion reminded us that it is also tough for the predators out here in the plains.
The Okavango Delta is a great place for elephant encounters. This young female was keeping warm, flapping her giant ears as she walked through the golden grass.
The sunsets here in the Delta are like something out of a movie. A bit of dust in the air makes for some of the most magical sunsets ever.
Not far from the male brother lions, we find the rest of their pride. All of the cubs are in a cuddle puddle near their moms. This little one thought about getting up, had a big yawn, then rejoined the sleeping cat pile.
It is hard getting a picture of a giant ball of light, and very dark elephants in the same photo, but here is my attempt. Some things you just have to see and experience in person.
Our tracker, LK, giving us a lesson on spoors, or tracks.
We have been on safari for nearly a month, and I don't think this smile has left my face yet!
Successfully on the ground, in the Delta, in time for a wonderful afternoon game drive with our guide, Rich, and tracker, LK, from Sandibe Okavango Delta Safari Lodge.
As we fell asleep to the sounds of the African night, we knew we were in for something truly special.
As always, keep traveling and keep sharing!
