“It’s hot,” they said.
“You won’t see much,” they said.
And boy were they wrong!
It’s October and yes, it was hot – almost 40 degrees C every day.
But within our first 24 hours, we had seen SO much wildlife, it really was amazing!
The camp we were staying at was Wilderness Qorokwe which is in a really productive wildlife area in Botswana.
But just on one afternoon game drive, a game drive the following morning, and a mokoro trip (all within 24 hours), we had seen the following:
- Spotted hyena (and the cutest cubs)
- Elephant (and so many babies)
- Buffalo
- Cheetah
- Lions
- Wildebeest
- Giraffe
- Zebra
- Impala
- Red lechwe
- Tsessebe
- Impala
- Kudu
- Vervet monkeys
- Baboons
- Warthogs
- Genets
- Hippos
- Serval
- Ostrich
- Kori Bustard
- Franklin
- Southern Ground Hornbill
- Fish Eagles
- Tawny Eagles
- Pied Lapwings
- Lilac Breasted Rollers
- … and what seemed like a million other birds!
So even though it was hot, the sightings were amazing.
If you are looking for good overall game viewing, I really do suggest that you consider Botswana, especially if it’s your first ever safari.
And another point is, if you’re not currently a birder, be open to it.
That doesn’t mean you have to become a full on twitcher and run out and buy the most powerful lens your camera can handle.
But when your guide starts telling you about the various birds and how they live, and eat, and breed, and just do what birds do, I’m sure you will end up being pretty amazed.
Top tip: Don’t forget your binoculars, and your room might have a bird book and a mammal book you can take out on the game drives, otherwise take your own.
One thing that I personally like, probably because I’m a bit of a planner and I like things to be organised neatly in their boxes, is that you get a species checklist in your room, and you can tick off the various animals and birds that you see in the area.
