Wildlife takes center stage at CHOBE NATIONAL PARK

by Debbie Stone

Iam both repelled and fascinated by crocodiles, as their fearsome reputation precedes them. No one wants to mess with a croc, but many people will seize the opportunity to view one up close, particularly within its natural habitat.

Prior to my trip to Botswana, I had only seen these primordial creatures in nature centers, where I felt removed from them. So, when the boat I was riding in started inching closer to the banks of the Chobe River, where a croc was sun bathing, the experience suddenly became a bit too close for comfort.

Despite the excitement from all the paparazzi onboard, the croc appeared to be comatose. But then, it opened one reptilian eye and appeared to train its gaze directly on me. I nervously chuckled, while moving further back into the boat. After a few minutes, I averted my eyes and graciously allowed the cold-blooded creature to win this uncomfortable staring contest.

Chobe River acts as the northern boundary of Chobe National Park and is a year-round, life-giving source of water. The park occupies a diverse landscape and the many habitats offer shelter for one of the greatest concentrations of game on the African continent.

Most visitors to the park do a game drive to spot the Big Five: lion, elephant, giraffe, buffalo and rhino. It’s not uncommon to see a herd of elephants crossing the road in front of your vehicle, on their way to the river. They move with a one-track mission and the ground shakes as they thunder past.

While in the park, I was only able to spot a few lions, as they were well-camouflaged, like their kin, the leopard. I felt fortunate though to see two of the latter. The first was draped over a branch; the other lay on the ground in all its photogenic glory.

I was also lucky to see a pack of African wild dogs. This creature is one of the world’s most endangered mammals. Though the pack was quiet, our guide told us not to be fooled, as these fierce hunters are always on high alert and can sprint up to forty-five mph in pursuit of prey.

Giraffes are obviously easy to locate, as are zebras and the ubiquitous antelope in the park.

Everyone who visits Chobe is intent on seeing the Big Five, but there’s also the Ugly Five: the vulture, hyena, warthog, baboon and marabou.

Baboons roam in troops and there are warnings posted everywhere about their combative behavior, while vultures and hyenas greedily scavenge off the carcasses of other creatures.

The prize for most homely, however, goes to the marabou, a ginormous stork with a massive conical bill and a large reddish pouch hanging from its neck.

As the sun began to set on the river, my focus changed from wildlife to the sublime colors of the landscape. Streaks of brilliant hues flashed against the darkening sky, spreading like an African bushfire with a Midas touch.