The rare African Wild Dog is found in good numbers in the Okavango Delta. This pack is a resident of the King’s Pool region. Wild dogs are the most successful hunters in Africa, as their large pack numbers (up to 20) and intelligence make them an unstoppable force.
I am still processing images and memories from an incredible journey through the Okavango Delta of Botswana that my wife and I took this past January. I posted some of the many images that I like, and the full image gallery at the end. As you guys look through this, just imagine that we were only there for 8 days, during the slow rainy season, when thick vegetation and plentiful water make the wildlife dispersed and hidden. The Delta is such an incredibly productive place. We actually loved this time of year, because we saw lots of baby animals, were the only ones at many of the camps, had our own private guides most of the time, and the landscape was so lush and vividly green.
Large, charismatic mega-fauna
We stopped to stretch our legs one evening near Little Vumburu Camp, when this hyena appeared in the grass to investigate.
This hyena pup approached our vehicle and started to chew on the tire when we visited the den. The guide said even a pup can puncture the huge tires of a land rover, as they have extremely powerful jaws. A hyena has a bite force of 1100 pounds per square inch, while a human only has 150!
This is one of my favorite images from the trip, as I always like to have something interesting blurred out in the background. This was near Chitabe Ledibe Camp.
This massive bull near Little Vumburu Camp was the first elephant we saw. Encountering wild African elephants is a humbling experience.
large matriarch female elephant, nursing her calf.
Many of the elephant herds had 2 week old calves. Summer is the birthing season.
This battle scarred female lion, blind in one eye, cares for her two newborn baby cubs.
Giraffe near King’s Pool.
We traveled to the Delta during the hot, rainy season, but we were blessed with many sightings of baby animals, such as this warthog.
Hippo at sunset near King’s Pool. Hippos are integral in the maintenance of the Delta habitat, as they create channels in the reeds to keep water flowing.
Female impala. I love the lush green backgrounds that were present during the rainy season.
Male red lechwe, a water loving deer common in the wetter areas of the Delta, such as near Kwetsani Camp in the Jao Concession, .
Our opportunities to view and photograph leopards were utterly outrageous. CLICK HERE to see my past post that was dedicated to our leopard encounters.
Birds, Bugs, Amphibians and Reptiles
The birds of the Delta are truly mind blowing. This is a colorful lilac breasted roller.
Slow exposure image of white backed vulture landing at a dead kudu
African fish eagle in flight, Little Vumburu Camp
A pair of white fronted bee eaters, on the banks of the Zambezi, near Victoria Falls.
Magnificent and endangered ground hornbill at sunrise.
chameleon crossing the road. Check out his eyes- one is checking me out, and the other is looking forward.
Skink on the boardwalk at Victoria Falls.
a pair of vultures in backlight
Green vine snake on the deck of Little Vumburu Camp.
A tiny, but very colorful Angolan reed frog landed on my toe at Jao Camp.
Praying mantis on a chair at King’s Pool Camp
A Nile crocodile on the banks of the Zambezi River. Swimming in the Zambezi is off-limits as these guys will not hesitate.
A leopard tortoise, one of Africa’s “Little 5” crosses an airstrip in the Delta.
Scenic shots
Our journey finished at one of the 7th wonders of the world- Victoria Falls near Livingstone, Zambia. Shot with canon 7D, 16-35mm wide angle lens.
My wife and I at Victoria Falls, Zambia.
The amazing Okavango from the air.
Walking through the downpour of mist across from Victoria Falls, Zambia
Victoria Falls in all her majesty, AND a DOUBLE RAINBOW! Oh wow!
Elephant herd near Chobe, from the air.
Darkness swallows the buzzing delta.
Adventure and Accommodations-
Our pilot is one of the main characters in the new documentary called “Bush Pilots” which is aired only in the UK so far, but should be available in the future on American TV.
A Cessna leaves after dropping us on a dirt strip in the Botswana Bush, after all of the elephants, storks and warthogs cleared off. We visited 7 different camps, 6 of which are reachable only by small aircraft.
Our amazing guide Flo is there with a huge smile and huge plans when she picks us up at the airstrip in the Jao Concession. We loved her! She was a master of the bush.
Relaxing with a beer after a hard day of wildlife viewing. The crocodile and hippo filled Zambezi River roars past in the background. Beer never tasted this good. Toka Leya Camp.
Our guide, Flo, navigates hippo channels in the swamps of the Jao Concession.
A cold pool, and a colder gin and tonic. The best ways to beat the heat, and the tonic helps keep the malaria away! This is Toka Leya Camp, on the banks of the Zambezi near Victoria Falls.
Taking a sunset cruise on the Linyanti River from Duma Tau Camp. There is nothing like an African sunset.
Typical, and stunning sleeping area in one of the Botswana camps. The tents are open air, and raised safely off of the ground. You can sleep to the sounds of hippos, lions, and all of the creatures of the Delta. It is paradise.
“Premiere camps” are more luxurious than “classic camps.” This was our private pool at our tent at King’s Pool, a “premiere camp.”
Hippo at sunset from our private porch at King’s Pool camp on the Linyanti River. WOW.
I highly recommend Botswana. In my mind it is one of the Earth’s greatest wildlife destinations. Check out some of Natural Habitat’s amazing adventures to this awesome place- CLICK HERE. Or, you can customize your own safari with Natural Habitat’s Safari Planner. If you haven’t seen enough, click the “more” tab below to see all my images from Botswana.
Click on any image to start the image browser for closer looks. These thumbnail images dont show complete image.
7 Comments
Magnificent photos. Good job, Brad!
I really enjoyed your photos. It is a lifelong dream of mine to go on an African photo safari. Long ago, I was a Travel Agent and later, a Tour Director. Now I am beginning to write articles on eco-tourism for the Chicago Examiner. I am a Naturalist at heart, and I dream of working in the tourism industry again.
Great pictures! Africa is breath-taking isn’t it? You made it look as wonderful as I felt it was when I was there.
Amazing trip and pictures Brad. Thanks for passing them along. Charlie Butcher
If you could only see my smile, it’s huge. Brad you are an amazing naturalist and leader. I am pleased that you were able to share this amazing experience with your wife. Sara and I will be heading to Botswana in 26 days, not that i am counting. Keep it up and come visit the Tetons and Yellowstone anytime. -Jared
Hi Brad, just home from our Northern Lights, Follow the wolves trip (the latter with NatHab) and have looked at your photos of Botswana, confirming how amazing that great country is, we are about to plan our third trip to Afirca for next year. Great to see your photos and that you have such an wonderful trip with your good wife. Speak soon Jan & Don Wilkinson.
Hi brad
Great to meet you in Botswana, I hope you enjoyed your final days in livingstone. I am watching your show on the bbc and I must say it is fantastic! Well done.
Next time you are in London- let me know
Ted