2nd May Morning Drive at Sanctuary Chobe then flight to Sanctuary Bain Lodge, Stanley, Botswana

We received the wake up call at 6.00am and Ken wanted to do the morning drive, but Jeanette decided to stay in bed then pack later.  At breakfast everyone was concerned as to Jeanette but I assured all that everything was fine. 

Chaka departed the lodge for what was planned to be 3 1/2 hours.  We drove out of the lodge through the gate to Chobe National Park and the drove on a side road, and surprise We then find two female lions just walking up the side of the road, obviously planning a hunt for either Impala or. Water buffalo, who are about a mile away, but up wind. We decide to wait and  track one female lion along the edge of the bushland, but lose sight of the second, who is obviously seeking to out flank the approaching water buffalo heard of about 200 animals. The impala are awake to the impending danger and move roughly 400 metres away on higher open ground, where the outrider males can see anything approaching.

One lion is closing the gap and creeping closer and suddenly stops and almost hides, no more than 10 metres from the water buffalo , but not prepared to risk a fight with a full male bull or a female.  So she waits her time.  The herd now slows with many wallowing in the mud, then several begin to move on and the lion lets perhaps 120 move past before identifying a young female.  She leaps out and roars loudly and charges at a small calf, the other lion remains hidden.  But inside 10 seconds, despite the initial panic amongst the water buffalo, the male bulls have circled the young and females and set up a wall, so the first lion cannot sustain her attack, then all of. Sudden 4 males charge the lion.  They then chase her away into the bushes and up a hill.  At this very moment the second line breaks from dense undergrowth and charges a small female, but is also driven off by about 6 male bull water buffalo.  The whole event takes 1 hour 40 minutes but the actual attempt to select and kill is over unsuccessfully in less than a minute.  Simply amazing how the water buffalo responded, how the lions despite the stalking over an hour were not up for the fight.

After this exhilarating time we see many animals including elephants, rhino, hippo, giraffe, but we fail to see a leopard. 

Just as we are about to drive back we come across a line of vehicles watching 4 lions hidden in bushes skirt and aim for Impala.  It is again exciting to watch and sense these beautiful animals.  We come along the Chobe River edge and also see more hippo and crocodiles. 

Back by 11.10am, with time for Ken to pack and then shower, before we Lunch and depart for the Kisane Airport and our flight to Stanley. Lunch is superb pizza. Then fruit and cake for dessert.  Time to pay our bill and make our way. China meet us ,our luggage is collected and loaded, we are farewelled by several staff and the manager.  It has been an excellent stay at a wonderful resort. 

Checkin can be described as haphazard, but we are eventually given our tickets and then go through the traditional screening process, having said farewell to Chika, then we sit for 10 minutes and are then walked out to our small aircraft.  The plane is very small seating 12 people and there are 10 passengers. First stop sees a family of Germans depart and then board a helicopter for another resort.

we have travelled for 50 minutes from Knsane to the first stop and we depart and fly over roads and fields totally flooded in this delta area.  So we understand it is wet, but that in no way prepares us for the landing at Stanley Airstrip, which is a dirt strip adjoined by flood levy. We arrive after another 20 minutes flying.  There is no terminal only a shed and steps and the guides have had to shoo wart hogs off the airstrip before our flight can land and subsequently before the flight from Maun can approach and land.  We are greeted by several guides and meet our, Fred a handsome big man who has a lively sense of humour and great knowledge.  We depart the airstrip and do a Game drive before heading back to Baines Camp.  The drive in through bumpy and flooded roads with water up to 4 foot deep and dome times flooding the guests seating area, and there is constant shifting up and gown gears.  

We eventually get to the Baines Camp and are greeted by a choir singing wonderful African rhythmic welcome dongs.  Then we go through to  the eating area where we are offered cakes and drinks, before being advised of tonight's schedule.  We are then walked down raised walkways above the extremely wet marshes and wet lands.

Jeanette unpacks, we have a large 4 poster bed with full mosquito netting. There is a separate outdoor viewing and observation deck, separate bathroom and a small indoor sitting area.  Very comfortable. 

Dinner is an outdoor BBQ in an area with fires and candles and lamps.  We eat crocodile tails, port spare ribs, chicken and chops and beef and a range of salads.  A separate beautifully set up bar was also nearby.  We enjoy the company of the other 3 couples.  We then have a wonderful choir presentation where they sing several African themed songs and dance for us.

Just a special evening of wonderful African food and musical entertainment. 

The drive to see Game today was totally different amongst the grasses the deep water.  The beauty of the Giraffes, the sheer size of the elephants, the many brilliantly coloured birds and the svelte Impala, the ugliness of the wart hogs.  All just amazing.  Here are photos of this lodge. 

Our bedroom with the. 4 poster sky bed and the double mosquito netting.