Botswana & Zimbabwe SafariMuchenje Safari Lodge, Chobe2 - 15 July 2001 |
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Safari itinerary:
Hiking and wilderness trail diaries |
Muchenje Safari Lodge, Chobe
Given the enormous population of elephant (40000+), the Chobe is wall-to-wall jumbo, and consequently the riverine forest is in a rather sorry state. Besides outstanding sightings of kudu, we had our first ever view of a herd of roan antelope. And of course, there are the famous Chobe sunsets. Our morning game walk was memorable for learning about the signals emitted by mopane trees to warn trees downwind, how they form tannin to protect themselves against browsing game, and why kudu browse mopane in a line-abreast into the wind. The exact nature of the signals is not yet known. How amazing is Nature.... |
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Our ground transfer to Kasane was quite eventful. The microbus had a flat in the National Park, and then our driver discovered that there was no jack nor wheel spanner. So he hitched a ride back to the gate, ran to the lodge (a good few k's) and roared back to our rescue. Meanwhile we were marooned in the microbus for a good one-and-a-half hours, while our Danish companion contemplated the implications of missing his connecting flight. We made it though, and to everybody's credit, our connecting transfers (Kasane to Kazangula border post, border to Gorges Lodge turnoff, turnoff to Gorges Lodge) waited patiently and we eventually arrived at Gorges Lodge ahead of schedule, despite the surly performance of the Zimbawean border officials. Fortunately, their demeanour would not prove representative of that of the other Zimbaweans we would meet. Gorges Lodge, Victoria Falls... |
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Muchenje apparently means
"Jackalberry tree" in Lozi. The lodge, built in 1996, tops the ridge above the
Chobe River near Buffalo Ridge, commanding a panoramic view of the Chobe and Caprivi.
Located just south of the Chobe National Park in Chobe Forest Reserve, it is able to offer
game activities in the park and on the river.
