We were to leave for Botswana on our 3rd day. Our transfer picked us up at the lodge at 10:30AM, and took us straight to the ferry crossing to the Botswana/Zambia border. I was sad to leave Zambia because I fell in love with the people there. Everyone was so nice and friendly, words that fail to truly describe the Zambians. They are so much more. Joe described them as ‘gentle’, which is an interesting way of describing a group of people, but they were. All of them. I cannot recall another group of people whom I’ve encountered in my life who are as genuinely pleasant to be with as the Zambians. On our way to the border, we asked our driver, Raphael, why Zambians are such nice people, and he told us that Zambia is made up of 73 different tribes, and the only way to achieve a peaceful coexistence is to be kind to each other. Wow! If only the rest of us were to think that way, imagine how different the world would be!
With that said, I was eager to get to Botswana because that’s where all the excitement is.
Raphael explained that the only way to cross the Zambezi river/border is by ferry, and as a result, trucks sometimes have to wait 2 weeks at each end of the border to get across to the other side. Luckily, they are currently building a bridge between Zambia and Botswana to help ease the back up.
After crossing the river by boat, it took only 20 minutes for us to reach Sanctuary Chobe Chilwero. This place is 3 minutes from Chobe National Park, and tucked away that you’d never know there was a 5-star lodge in the area. The property is enclosed by electric fencing to prevent predators from entering. It had a Jurassic Park feel to it.
Our room wasn’t quite ready when we checked in, so we had lunch first. By the time we were done eating the room was ready to go.
Lion World Travel had booked us a complimentary 30-minute spa treatment, and the staff wasted no time. After dropping off our bags, we headed over to the spa for a relaxing back massage.
Afterwards, we met up with our guide, Tony, who drove us to Chobe National Park for our evening game drive.
Along the way, we saw the usual suspects – impalas (or what Junior had called them, JABIs – just another bloody impala), and other antelopes.
We expected to see animals from a distance, but we certainly didn’t expect them to be in our face. At one point, we got so close to an elephant bull, that it started advancing toward our jeep forcing Tony to drive in reverse.
Never mess with a bull in musth…
“JABIs” alongside the road…
Crocs on the riverbank…
We were moving swimmingly, but then all of a sudden a female elephant herd appeared and blocked our way.
Baby elephants are the best…
We were at a standstill for 10-15 minutes, and ended up backing up as the herd stuck to the road. Eventually, they moved off to the side and we were able to go on our separate ways.
Next up were the giraffes…
and then more elephants…
By now, everyone had already told us about the lions causing “traffic jam” the day before, and I was ready to move on to the lions.
But not before our sundowner…
As the light started to fade, so did my hopes of seeing lions on my first day in Botswana.
All of a sudden Tony started driving very fast for unknown reason. When we got down to the riverbank, we caught a glimpse of this…
Three lionesses surrounded by 3-4 jeeps full of people and a boat full of people.
Next time, I’ll get to see their faces…
Travel Documents 
Stunning photos – thanks for sharing!
I was just in Africa not long ago and loved my experience! I didnt get to Zambia or Botswana sadly, but spent a lot of time in South Africa and Namibia.
I highly recommend Namibia, the people are lovely and there is plenty to see!!
I would hit up the dunes – absolutely stunning scenery there!
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Thank you. Southern Africa can become very addictive, and one can be very tempted to visit all the countries in that region.
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