Around the world on a whim and a prayer

Having spent the night at Johannesburg’s airport (I was advised not to venture into the city…) I caught an early morning flight to Maun in Botswana, where I transferred to a light aircraft for a 30 minute flight into the Okavango Delta.

: We flew at 500′ to get a closer view of this herd….

I was met at the airstrip by my guide for the week, Madela K. It turned out he was a legend amongst the Okivanga Delta guides, having worked there for nigh on 40 years. He was also a dead ringer for Morgan Freeman!

The hour and a half drive to the Little Vumbura camp, which was to become my home for the next few days, was simply incredible! We got up close and personal (well, almost), with elephants, impala, warthogs, giraffe, wildebeest, baboons and even a crocodile…..

: He seemed pleased to see me….!

Little Vumbura Camp is located on a small island in the Delta, and the only access was by boat. On arriving at the camp, I realised that this was not going to be the sort of camp site I’d envisaged….

: My ‘tent’….

: I spotted this Eland outside my room one morning

Early (5:30 am!) the next morning we set off on my first real safari, in search of a pride of lion cubs Madela K knew was somewhere in the area. After a couple of patient hours driving what seemed like round and round in circles, we finally found them – four females and seven cubs, all fast asleep. It had been well worth the wait!