Tom's African adventure: part II

Day 4:  Chobe Mobile Tented Camp (overnight)

Today we had a small lie in - we didn’t have to be ready to depart until 10:00 for our mobile tented safari camp in the Chobe reserve. As this was a combined game drive and transfer we didn’t arrive in camp until 13:00.

We were greeted by the most amazing campsite, huge tents, a dining area and a camp fire which was used to cook lunch. This was not a fenced area and we really were at one with nature.

We were due to go out again for an evening game drive, but unfortunately we got caught in the most horrific rain storm I have ever encountered. This continued for 2 hours, so we all huddled in the dining area with a cup of tea and cake. Eventually when the skies cleared we all agreed that we should still go out on a game drive and see what we could find.

When we pulled into camp at about 19:00, it had almost completely changed. The rangers had lit the fire, set the table for dinner and we all had lamps hanging from our tents. We then had a sublime freshly cooked meal before sitting around the warm camp fire to reflect on our day’s adventures.

Eventually, after we had all finished our stories we went to our tents, to spend the night among the big five. We were told in the morning that the tracks showed hyenas had pass through camp, but nothing else. A little disappointing not to be visited by lions, but probably a lot safer!

Favourite moment of the day: Sitting round a roaring camp fire in the middle of the Chobe game reserve listening to all the different animals settle in for the night.

Day 5:  Kasane - Chobe Safari Lodge

Once we had all woken up at 05:30, after a very reasonable night’s sleep we sat down for breakfast and headed off for one final game drive on our way out of the reserve. We again stopped in a designated area for refreshments. This is where we all surprised and told that we wouldn’t be heading straight to our hotel, but back to the airport for a safari by flight. I thought I had dealt with my smallest mode of transport on the flight into Kasane!

We arrived at the airport and were shown to our plane, a six seater Airvan propeller aircraft - possibly the same size as my car. After an issue or two with my seatbelt we were heading for the runway, there was no escape now!

We went up in two groups of six, and due my nerves I asked if I could be in the first group. This experience was one I was not looking forward to, but am so glad I plucked up the nerve to do it. The views were absolutely astonishing, a glance over the place that had been our home the previous night from a completely different viewpoint.

Our next destination for the day was the Chobe Safari Lodge where we would be staying for the night. Another surprise was then shared - half the group would do another river safari and the rest would do a final game drive, both with professional photography equipment. We returned with an SD card full of memories and amazingly high quality safari images. This optional excursion is most definitely a must and will make a photographer out of anybody.

.African adventuresFind out more about our