Baobab 1 Camp, just outside Chobe National Park, Botswana

We went to Kenya and Tanzania at the same time of year seven years ago, during what they called the “little rains.” Back then it usually rained overnight, so it didn’t really affect our plans. Based on that experience, we didn’t think the rainy season would be much of an issue this time either.

Well… it is the rainy season here. The groups ahead of us were each delayed by a day getting to the next camps in the Okavango Delta because the planes couldn’t fly. We’re scheduled to go in two days, so fingers crossed.

As for the weather, it absolutely poured during our first game drive. One vehicle got stuck in the mud, so everyone piled into the remaining vehicle for the ride back. Today’s game drive was much drier, and we saw lots of birds and grazing animals. The OAT travelers still haven’t seen lions or leopards, so we’re very glad we saw lions earlier in the South African part of the trip, before joining the OAT tour.

The camp here is pretty rustic—not only no air conditioning, no fridge, but it is probably more like a two star hotel – comfortable and clean. But the view from the main lodge area is incredible. It looks out over the plains along the Chobe River between Botswana and Namibia. I took a series of panorama shots with my good camera but will have to stitch it together when I get home. This one is from my Samsung phone.

I suggest making the photo full size by clicking the square in the bottom right corner. Then you can scroll around with your mouse. Press “Esc” when you’re done. It’s only a 180-degree view, so it loops back to the beginning and keeps scrolling, which makes it look like a full 360.

It’s hard to see, but there are waterbuck, giraffes, and impala in the picture—and even some cows from Namibia that wander over to graze.

I’ll update this page with the rest of our visit to Change National park later. We’re here for another two nights.