the Okavango River.
We had a relatively short drive to Mahango, on 4th August, crossing the border at Mohembo without any difficulty. We even got two months entry which was brilliant!
The nice little bar, right on the river.
Our camp.
Delana's protection from Hippos & Ellies
during the night!
The Mahango Safari Lodge proved to be a pleasant surprise. It is old, but in a brilliant location right on the river Kavango (Okavango) looking into Babaweta National Park. We set up camp then enjoyed drinks in the bar, which was quite something. Birding was terrific with Slaty Egret flying by, Dickinson's Kestrel flying over the river & brief views of Racquet tailed Roller. Didn't have my camera with me, so no photos. Will be ready tomorrow night though! Lions & Elephants kept us awake for a while!
Ostrich were common.
Spotted Dikkop
Crimson breasted Boubou
Little Bee-eater
Acacia Pied Barbet
Kalahari Scrub Robin
Melba Finch
The next morning we were up before dawn & entered Mahango National Park. We did the river plain drive but the light was bad so we made a detour into he interior of the park into the dry woodland before once more coming back to the river where we put up the scope & enjoyed the scene. We were back at our camp around 1pm & enjoyed the lovely lazy afternoon watching birds & animals across the river & in our camp.
Best birds:
African Spoonbill 8; Glossy Ibis 2; Slaty Egret 1; Yellow billed Stork 14; White backed Vulture 50; Hooded Vulture 1; Garbar Goshawk; Dickinson’s Kestrel 1; Wattled Crane 4; Red winged Pratincole 20; Rock Pratincole 3; Long toed Lapwing 10; African Skimmer 2; Mourning Dove; Meyer’s Parrot; White browed Coucal; Raquet tailed Roller; Hartlaub’s Babbler; Southern Pied Babbler; Kalahari Scrub Robin; Swamp Boubou; Meeve’s Starling; Yellow billed Oxpecker; Red billed Oxpecker; Southern Brown throated Weaver & Brown Firefinch 4.
Mammals:
Elephant; Giraffe; Hippo; Warthog; Chacma Baboon; Vervet Monkey; Zebra; Kudu; Roan, Sable; Cape Buffalo; Waterbuck; Tsessbe 14; Chobe Bushbuck; Red Lechwe 250; Impala; Common Reedbuck 15; Common Duiker; Steenbok; Slender Mongoose.
Another lazy morning on 6th before packing up & driving to Riverdance Lodge.
The flood plain at dawn
Red Lechwe
Female
Female Common Reedbuck
The Giant Baobab Lookout Point.
Light is better for viewing in the afternoon.
Hippos in the channel
Red Lechwe
Common on the flood plain.
Wattled Crane
Yellow billed Stork
Purple Heron
White crowned Lapwing
Swamp Boubou
We drove into the woodland, away from the river.
White backed Vulture
Dark Chanting Goshawk
Cape Buffalo
Yellow billed Oxpeckers
Burchell's Zebra
Roan
Kudu at a salt lick
Baby Roan.
Black Crake
This individual liked pasta!
White browed Coucal
Meeves's Starling
Southern Brown throated Weaver
Best birds:
African Spoonbill 8; Glossy Ibis 2; Slaty Egret 1; Yellow billed Stork 14; White backed Vulture 50; Hooded Vulture 1; Garbar Goshawk; Dickinson’s Kestrel 1; Wattled Crane 4; Red winged Pratincole 20; Rock Pratincole 3; Long toed Lapwing 10; African Skimmer 2; Mourning Dove; Meyer’s Parrot; White browed Coucal; Raquet tailed Roller; Hartlaub’s Babbler; Southern Pied Babbler; Kalahari Scrub Robin; Swamp Boubou; Meeve’s Starling; Yellow billed Oxpecker; Red billed Oxpecker; Southern Brown throated Weaver & Brown Firefinch 4.
Sable drinking at the river at dusk.
Mammals:
Elephant; Giraffe; Hippo; Warthog; Chacma Baboon; Vervet Monkey; Zebra; Kudu; Roan, Sable; Cape Buffalo; Waterbuck; Tsessbe 14; Chobe Bushbuck; Red Lechwe 250; Impala; Common Reedbuck 15; Common Duiker; Steenbok; Slender Mongoose.
Another lazy morning on 6th before packing up & driving to Riverdance Lodge.
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