Elephants Swimming

Another splendid day in Africa.  The Fish Eagle has been calling since first light and you are heading out again onto the Chobe River.

It is mid-morning and the river is quiet compared to yesterday afternoon when there were boats of varying sizes cruising up and down the channels watching the large herd of buffalos on Sedudu Island.  This island is a small land mass in the Chobe channel which is subject to flooding during the rainy season and is a lush feeding ground at other times.

Our guide has positioned the boat on the river between the Chobe National Park and Sedudu so that we will have a front row seat to the daily routine of the elephants.  Around 11am most days you can see various elephant herds starting to come down to the water’s edge from the Chobe National Park.  The matriarch starts to walk into the water, stops, moves back and then forward once more and this goes on for some time.  It is as if she is waiting for the right moment. The rest of the herd is still on the sandy shores.  Then as if someone has given permission, the matriarch starts to cross the river and the herd follows.

It is spellbinding to watch as the herd swim the river and how they are assisting the little ones using their tails and trunks to guide and help them.  It is a privilege to be able to see this stunning sight.  You become so fascinated with watching this herd that you do not realise that more and more herds are going through the same motion.  Hundreds of elephants are crossing to Sedudu and our guide informs us they will stay for most of the day grazing on the rich grasses.  Later this afternoon the herds will swim back to Chobe where they will spend the evening.  What a fabulous morning!

Your late afternoon will be spent on a push bike exploring the small town of Kasane and getting to meet some of the people that call this town home.  You can visit some of the local industries and shops. Or you can also call in at the primary school near Bakwena Lodge and watch the children in class.  If you are lucky they may even sing some traditional songs for you.

The people of Botswana are called Batswana and the two official languages are English and Setswana (also called Tswana).  As you walk or ride in and around Kasane the locals will acknowledge you with the greeting of Dumêla rra (for men) or Dumêla mma (for women)