December 1, 2018

Botswana’s Landscape "Strains Credulity"

By WT Adventurer Barb Chiarella

Africa Traveler Stories Wildlife & Natural History Safaris

A serene campsite at sunset with empty folding chairs arranged in a circle around a small campfire, near a body of water. Silhouettes of trees and a clear sky enhance the peaceful setting, embodying the tranquil beauty of Botswana's landscape.

Life in Botswana‘s bush is all about spontaneity. To successfully track elusive game requires experience, and our expert naturalist guides and custom-built 4WD safari vehicles give you the best gameviewing opportunities. At night, we retreat to our deluxe camps or the lagoon-side lodges in the Okavango. Recently, one of our adventurers came back with impressive photos of unique experiences—some that our guides have never witnessed before!

A group of people, some holding drinks, are standing in a dry grassy field next to two parked off-road vehicles under the clear Botswana sky. The scene blends seamlessly with the breathtaking landscape, creating an almost cinematic moment.

My Botswana: Okavango Explorer adventure went beyond my expectations. Each park presented its own unique experience. In Moremi, the sunrise every morning from our private camp in Xakanaxa started the day in awe. We set out by safari vehicle each day, witnessing various wildlife—lions rushing a herd of buffalo that first morning was an unexpected surprise.

A group of elephants, including a baby elephant in the center, stand closely together in a dry, grassy area with scattered bushes, forming part of Botswana's stunning landscape.

Two elephants interacting by touching trunks near a body of water in Botswana's natural landscape with sparse vegetation.

A hippo partially submerged in water with its mouth wide open, displaying its large teeth and tongue amid the stunning landscape of Botswana, with grassy land visible in the background.

And the river cruises along the Delta through papyrus that soared overhead captured a very different landscape of Botswana.

Three people are standing beside a large termite mound in a grassy landscape in Botswana, with the sun setting in the background. One person is gesturing while the others are observing the mound, as if its size strains credulity.

A colorful bird with blue and green wings flying through branches, creating a striking landscape that strains credulity.

The variety of birds was astounding, like the beautiful lilac breasted roller that I captured in flight.

A lioness and her cub are lying on a dirt path in the rich landscape of Botswana, both attentively looking into the distance.

Two elephants engage in a tussle, interlocking trunks while partially submerged in a body of water against the lush background of Botswana's vibrant landscape. The sheer power on display strains credulity, as they wrestle amidst the verdant scenery.

Chobe was a real highlight. With elephants swimming in the Chobe River (my personal favorite) followed by the sight of a lifetime – seeing a leopard 60 feet up perched on a fish eagle’s nest. Our Trip Leader said he never witnessed anything quite like this in all his years of guiding. Wow!

A leopard perched on a large nest made of branches in a tree, holding prey in its mouth against the clear sky background, creates a scene that strains credulity—a surreal landscape one might witness in Botswana.

This quote by author Edward Abby neatly summarizes my experience: “This is a landscape that has to be seen to be believed, and then…it strains credulity.”

Botswana’s Landscape "Strains Credulity"

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