11/5/2015

This is the next installment of my posts on my Namibian perambulations aimed at woodworking troglodytes (which I am one of to be honest). During the first days of May we usually head up to the mystical and magical land of the Kavango. It is nestled in the north east of the country in a cosy “little” corner south of Angola and west of Botswana. It forms the placenta to which the Caprivi strip is attached.

The reason for our annual safari is the waters of the ancient Okavango River. It originates on the eastern escarpment of the Angolan highlands before bisecting Namibia and Angola. A few kilometers from our camp it switches across the implantation of the Caprivian umbilical cord into Botswana to quench the eternal thirst of the Okavango Delta.

Get the picture? OK, let’s go.

This is a picture of a modern ossewa. The boat behind it is a new addition to our trekking equipment.

A few of the hooligans in action.

The first night we sayed at Taranga Safari Lodge. It belongs to a friend and is highly recommended.

An Okavango Moon.

Dinner under an African sky.

Same dinner, just later under the stars.

The view across the river the next morning with Angola in the distance.

Breakfast under an African sky.

Trying to drown my Cruiser in order to launch the boat. After carrying a massive amount of gear to the boat through the water of this side channel, a local came to warm us that there is a massive croc lurking around there for quite a while. Gee thanks mate!

One of the best things to do on this planet (in my humble experience) is to find a sandbank on the Okavango, light a fire for a braai and swim while being somewhat vigilant for the ever present hippos and crocs.

This is the famous Jacana Junction, our camp on the Okavango.

One of the most celebrated inhabitants of the river, the Tiger fish.

At the nearby Mahango Park we saw this interesting interaction. A few Letchwe with front row seats to the biggest rumble in the jungle since Ali-Foreman. I think these fighters are called water monitors in English (but not sure).

A giant Baobab.

Of course the boys needed to climb it …

… and the ant hill next to it.

Nothing beats a braai in a game reserve without the constraints of a fence.

My usual highlight is without a doubt, a visit to the local shebeen. We drink Windhoek Lager (the best in Africa) with the locals while the children try to settle the outcome of the Pan-African Soccer Cup of Nations.

These hippos live less than 300 meters from our camp.

My friend Siegmund Mengersson and I built this bar in an area we call the Sunset Beach.

The so called Jacana Jakutz were also erected on the mentioned beach. A warm bath under the stars or at sunset can’t be beat.

Dr Livingstone and compatriots fishing the great river.

A local fisherman.

I hope you’ve enjoyed this installment of “The Land of …”