Unlimited fun with Unlimited Tours on a Mobile Safari - 4Rivers at Kwando plus Vic Falls excitement - Green season January 2024

[Hads]

Thanks @AKR1for your kind words.

Yes the kids had a wonderful time, this was a trip of a lifetime for us. 

[Hads]

Well the journey was long but I must admit I loved every kilometre we travelled, Joster (our guide) was fantastic driving in the difficult conditions and he was always alert for sightings even on the long travel day.

We continued along through the Savuti area (very wet and slippery roads) and into Mababe depression area where we had over 100 Eland cross the road well in front of us, they were very skittish and took off quickly into the Mopane.

I did get a quick photo but for some reason but for some reason I can not find it.

 

The rain did hinder our photo opportunities, our long day was getting shorter and shorter and at times wetter.......

Savuti area I think .......

One tired daughter  

Joster our Super guide.

Young Ele Bull in Savuti

Joster saw a large tusk on the side of the road, the boys had a go and lifted it to see how strong they were before putting it back in the bushes.

The ele probably lost it fighting.

 

 

Water everywhere

Edited April 17 by Hads

[Hads]

After a very long day, we finally reached Mababe gate.

We were all getting pretty tired, I hate to think how tired Joster was after his last 24 hours.

I was thinking after all the rain we had and more coming that maybe the green season is too risky as far as game viewing goes but as those negative thoughts were happening these guys popped across the watery track .

Once again we where not photo-ready but got a few reasonable shots.

By this stage it was about 6pm and we were rewarded for a very long day in difficult conditions.

Photo with the I-Phone

 

In total 9 dogs were running back and forth across the wet track, one even stopped in front of us and had a bath.

You can see on the track there was puddle after puddle.

Todays travel saw us cover nearly 350 km's and a lot of the roads were flooded - what an adventure  

The dogs were chasing this hyena

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We finally got to camp at our Magotho camp in Khwai around 7pm where the Unlimited camp staff, Oti the chef, Bart and Bali the other camp staff were waiting for us with our beautiful camp site and a lovely meal.

We slept very well that night.

Edited April 17 by Hads

[offshorebirder]

One word description:   WOW.

[wilddog]

What a wonderful adventure for you @Hads and your family. Great memories made and dogs to reward you after a tough day of travel. 

 

Great report so far and lovely photos too!

Looking foward to the rest.

[Towlersonsafari]

looking forward to this @Hads as we are thinking of a mobile trip to Botswana- but

Quote

Because the water was reasonably high and the flow quite fast , 2 guides held onto both legs as you got to experience hanging at the edge of the falls.

i don't know why i had the idea you were a sensible person!!!!!

[Hads]

Hi @Towlersonsafari, I also thought I was a responsible parent until I did the devils pool trip. I did go first just to show the family that their Dad is brave  and stupid.

[Hads]

We slept well overnight, the tents are very well set up, warm and dry and comfortable.

I did wake however at 4 am by heavy rain - yes our first full day in Khwai was going to be another wet day, I had to remind myself that I am in the Green season and it rains and sometimes alot........

Here are a few pictures of our campsite set up in Mogotho area in Khwai

Breakfast included cereals, rusks, tea and coffee and juices and porridge.

 

We had a later-than-normal start due to the very big day yesterday and the rains.

 

As you can see the countryside is very green.

 

 

 

Bart sorting out our showers  

 

The little buckets on stands are filled with warm water every morning around 5 am.

Edited April 19 by Hads

[Hads]

Basically, the routine for each day was (except for the first full day) was up at 5am for a wash and get changed, and breakfast by 5.30am.

Joster would have us in the Safari vehicle and departed camp by 6am, we would stop somewhere for a morning coffee and snack anywhere between 9 and 10 am.

We would arrive back at camp around 11:30 - 12 noon for lunch.

There would be a siesta time between 12.30 pm and 3.30pm and then back out on a game drive from about 3.30 pm to 7 - 7.30 pm.

Joster was very flexible with the hours and if you wanted longer he was more than happy to do what you wanted to do as we found out on our next day .

Anyhow a few photos of this morning's drive.

 

 

 

 

 

Banded mongoose family

 

Carmines would regularly follow us and catch insects

Ground hornbill

Verreaux Eagle owl - we saw 4 separate owls.

 

 

 

There was lots of alarm calling by the Wildebesst, we spent quite awhile looking for predators with no luck.

Elephant skeleton, Joster mentioned some elephants had died of a disease the past few months.

Edited April 19 by Hads

[Hads]

A few more from the morning.

 

 

Joster with some lovely big mushrooms for lunch.

 

 

 

 

Reedbuck

 

 

Home made buns for lunch

The bathroom

Edited April 19 by Hads

[Hads]

It poured down over the lunch break, my youngest boy got quite sad a shed a few tears, he thought the rain would never stop  

We didnt see any of the large predators on our first full day but we had a very pleasant afternoon drive.

I had my best hippo interaction which was nice and some lovely bird sightings, still it was fantastic to be on the Safari with my family.

 

Beautiful Tusker

This guy was not far from camp.

 

My favourite WKF.

Lechwe

 

 

 

Iconic termite mound.

 

The hippo pool - these guys were very curious in us.

Edited April 19 by Hads

[Hads]

Hippo pools - plenty of photos coming.

I am sure they just wanted a dentist's check-up.

 

Junior

Let's sing for them..........

 

 

Please check my teeth first........

 

 

 

I am the boss of this pond  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited April 19 by Hads

[Hads]

Last posting for the day.

 

Check out these feet

 

My youngest boy Alex loves his bird photography.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our only predator for the day.

Waterbuck family

 

Green backed Heron I think?

 

 

 

 

Our first ever Black Heron

Ele family on our way back to camp to end a wonderful day in Khwai.

Edited April 19 by Hads

[michael-ibk]

What a wonderful family adventure! The Heron is a Squacco.

[Hads]

Thanks @michael-ibk. Thanks again for your advice in my trip planning about 12-18 months ago.

[Africalover]

I’m glad you seem to have had a fantastic trip with UTS. Joster is a fantastic guide and person. It doesn’t get much better. I am so much looking forward to the next installment….

 

[Hads]

Thanks @Africalover, thanks for following along, you were certainly correct about UTS and Joster, I am so glad I decided to go with them as a company.

Thanks for your advice on my trip planning as well.

[Hads]

Our last full day in Khwai - Magotho.

 

Over night we again heard lions close by roaring, but no such luck finding them.

This morning there was sunshine amongst the clouds, it was a beautiful morning.

After another delicious breakfast we were on our way.

First up following one of the local Bull ele's.

Curious mongoose family.

 

 

Malachite with Breakfast

 

Sunbathing cormorant

Past our friends at the Hippo pools

 

 

 Across the Khwai river we saw 3 wild dogs running very quickly, Joster took off in pursuit to where he thought they may come out at the river.

Unfortunately no such luck but it was exciting whilst it lasted.

Poor evidence photo only

 

 

 

Leguan shedding his skin

Juvenile WKF

Green backed Heron

WKF with breakfast

 

Getting close to camp we came across Vultures on an impala, I am not sure what killed the impala or if it was sick but there were no predators in the area or we didnt see any.

 

No manners at the lunch table

Do you think they will leave us any guys???

Mine mine mine .............

 

 

 

Edited April 22 by Hads

[Hads]

We passed another safari vehicle, they told us (very vaguely about a leopard they had seen) so off we went in search of it.

After about 30 minute's Joster found her, I am not sure how he did it but he sniffed her out under a bush.

It was a young female.

 

She was content in sleeping, Grooming and yawning.

 

 

So awesome to have such a close-up sighting of this stunning young cat.

We sat with her for about 30 minutes and then decided to go to lunch.

Joster said we could come back after lunch if we wished as we were only about 5-10 minutes from camp.

Off course she would stay there and wait for us to come back....................

Edited April 22 by Hads

[Hads]

The best thing about our Guide Joster he is very flexible and accommodating with the Safari drives.

Straight after lunch he got us boys together and off we went to find the leopard again.

We arrived at the spot where she was ............ she was gone  

 

No problem we have our super guide - he eventually found her, she was quite mobile.

We spent the next 2 hours with her as she was active.

We followed her down along the Khwai river where she was stalking and tried to catch a spur-winged goose.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At this point she had something in her sights.

Edited April 22 by Hads

[Hads]

The Spur-winged goose managed to evade the leopardess, the leopard is in the grass somewhere.

Out she comes from the dense bush, missed lunch this time.....

 

 

 

We kept following her until we lost her in dense bush and could not follow with the vehicle.

 

We thoroughly enjoyed our time with her  

 

   

 

 

 

Edited April 22 by Hads

[Hads]

We had a late start to the afternoon game drive.

We tried to find our leopardess again with no luck.

More rain came with beautiful rainbows.

 

 

A new type of roller for us........ Not sure what though??? Purple??

 

Bee-eater, maybe European?

 

 

Poncho's back on.....

Rainbow - where's the pot of gold?

 

We did get a heavy but brief shower of rain.

Edited April 22 by Hads

[Hads]

We spent the last part of the day down at the river with these big boys enjoying a sundowner.

Due to the rains and being in the middle of the green season the game is spread out alot but we have been blessed with very personal lovely sightings.

No scrambling in Vehicles to get a better position.

All of our sightings in Khwai were on our own  

On their way to the river...

 

 

 

 

 

I-Phone pictures......

 

Back at camp........

 

Edited April 22 by Hads

[Hads]

Khwai to Moremi - on our way to Xini lagoon.

It was sad to think we where half way through our mobile safari, time flies when you are in heaven having a ball.

More lions roaring overnight and tracks close to camp - once again they alluded us.

 

However, we had some nice sightings.

 

 

Past the elephant skeleton.

 

Hyena den on the outskirts of Khwai

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ground hornbills.

 

 

 

Edited April 22 by Hads

[Hads]

On our through Khwai village and into Moremi North Gate.

 

 

Edited April 22 by Hads