Yellow glowing sunrise at Third bridge, Moremi National Park, Okavango Delta, Botswana
I left Camp before sunrise. With so many swamps, lagoons and rivers around, there is bound to be another fabulous sunrise on the horizon. Just outside off ‘Third Bridge’ campsite is a large lake.
Lechwe Antilope reflections, Moremi National Park, Okavango Delta, Botswana
I drove to the western side and waited for the sun to come up. An Antilope grazed the shallow waters, perfect reflections.
Nature’s spotlight, Moremi National Park, Okavango Delta, Botswana
A couple off geese waded through the swampy grass,
Red glowing sunrise at Third Bridge, Moremi National Park, Okavango Delta, Botswana
right into the sun’s reflecting rays.
Returning from the nights shift, Moremi National Park, Okavango Delta, Botswana
A hippo returned from the night shift, gently gliding in the lagoon, as a herd off wildebeast enjoyed breakfast.
Track repairs, Moremi National Park, Okavango Delta, Moremi National Park
Pumba completed some road maintenance before running to the lake. A great start to the day. There was a smaller lagoon not too far off.
Guinea fowl, Moremi National Park, Okavango Delta, Botswana
A flock of Guinea Fowls doing their morning routine, running around and chasing each other.
Rooster on the hill?, Moremi National Park, Okavango Delta, Botswana
Who is king of the hill? With the sun behind, they looked striking.
A spoonbill scouts the shallow waters, Moremi National Park, Okavango Delta, Botswana
Meanwhile, a spoonbill was wading by. Setting his spoon-shaped beak in the waters, and turning the head right to left and back again whilst moving forward. As soon as a fish or frog touches the beak, a reflex closes the beak and breakfast is served.
Stop and wait, Moremi National Park, Okavango Delta, Botswana
Sometimes it’s best to stand and wait. I drove long the 20 km dry loop road, that leads around ‘Mboma’ island. Most of this dry season Peninsula is covered with reed grass, which will turn in to swamps when the flood waters arrive. The eastern side was a little higher on elevation and permanent forrest and waterholes appeared.
Zebra close up, Moremi National Park, Okavango Delta, Botswana
A herd of zebras returned from a small waterhole. They prefer the smaller sized ones, as it is less likely for crocodiles encounters. It turned out to be an amazing day to photograph grazers.
Watching each other’s back, Moremi National Park, Okavango Delta, Botswana
Zebras were plentiful and I will add those photos in a zebra blog. As I Iwill with elephants and, more surprisingly, giraffes.
Giraffe threesome, Moremi National Park, Okavango Delta, Botswana
I saw giraffes at 4 different locations. Being used to human traffic, these giraffes didn’t run off on any occasion.
Single giraffe, Moremi National Park, Okavango Delta, Botswana
Instead, posing happily in front of my lens. I took some really cool photos.
Interesting shot, the body of one, head of another, Moremi National Park, Okavango Delta, Botswana
Kudus were just as plentiful. A herd of females stalked the nearby bushes.
Still looking, Moremi National Park, Okavango Delta, Botswana
Interestingly enough, females always stare longer than males.
Just another look, Moremi National Park, Okavango Delta, Botswana
It seems they can’t work out what’s going on.
Still looking, Moremi National Park, Okavango Delta, Botswana
Looking rather cute with a smile on the dial.
A Male kudu herd, Moremi National Park, Okavango Delta, Botswana
Male Kudu on the other side, generally take one look, before they disappear ghostly.
Kudu nipping carefully on bushes, Moremi National Park, Okavango Delta, Botswana
This herd of bulls were quite the opposite.
Young Kudu bull, Moremi National Park, Okavango Delta, Botswana
Nipping on the bushes without a care in the world.
Kudu double antlers, Moremi National Park, Okavango Delta, Botswana
Only now and then, having an updated look at what’s going on, before slowly moving.
Male ostrich in the savanna, Moremi National Park, Okavango Delta, Botswana
A single male ostrich joined my photo gallery later. I haven’t seen any since South Africa.Great photo though. It was hot again and I needed a snooze.
High grass elephant parade, Moremi National Park, Okavango Delta, Botswana
Getting up early every day takes its toll on this holiday. I found a shady tree and snoozed off for half an hour or so. Literally, just when I turned the engine key, a herd of elephants walked a little trail through the bush, right behind Zimba. My heart stopped for a few seconds, as I had no escape route. Gentle and placid as the elephants are around here, they just had a quick look and disappeared in the high grass. A few minutes earlier and I would have had a few perfect photos of an elephant parade. Bummer.
I called this one dopy smurf, Moremi National Park, Okavango Delta, Botswana
On the sand track to the southern gate entrance/exit of Moremi National Park, towards Maun, I came across another small waterhole. 4 elephant bulls were entertaining themselves in the muddy waters. Zebras and Kudu joined them. These photos will appear in my elephant special as well.
There was more vehicle trouble when I got to Maun. Two cars couldn’t travel from ‘Third bridge’ and will stay another night. One car’s ventilator slammed a hole into the radiator, the others axle suspension broke. But emergency repairs and spare parts have already been organised. Italian efficiency.
Travels with Ben 
The Kudu females aren’t that different to human females; with those long stares the thoughts are plentiful and complex! And what a turnaround for the usual stereotypes – Italian efficiency!
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