April 13 Okavango Swamp Botswana

Up at 5:45 AM for a quick snack, and off on the early morning game walk.This was way better than the Kruger game walk. We saw giraffes fairly close, a herd of wildebeest up as close as they would let us, baboons again in the trees and lots of zebra. So many birds were around, and interesting varieties.We noticed fresh hippo dung around our camp. The highlight was a lone male elephant, quite close up. You have to be very cautious around them of course, and we backed off but it paid no attention to us. The walk was 3 and a quarter hours long, and good exercise!! We noticed many aardvark holes ( anteater ) but you don't see them, as I believe they dig at night. The grasses still amaze me. Lunch was served on our return. The afternoon was free. Some of the campers tried the poling experience on the makoros, but I didn't. Then a group went swimming. I was suffering from heat exhaustion and went with them. It was marvellous. The swamp water was shallow and lovely and fresh. Kalahari sand underneath. I found shade from the reeds. I went right under the water. We watched for hippos, as the entrance to our little swimming hole had a hippo path that was made by them. Right after that we got ready for the 5 pm swamp cruise on the makoros. It was hot to begin with, and of course we had sunscreen on, but it was an excellent experience, and we returned after dark. At one stage we stopped to examine an elephant skull. Apparently it had died many years ago. I took lots of pics, and again, it was an experience I will never forget. Supper of African maize meal and stew was served and it was great. After supper we had an African singing, dancing, theatre experience. They all sang in harmony, African style in Tswana. Ululating by one of the women ended each  song. Lots of acting out of the songs was great.....frog dances etc, the pregnant lady etc. Lots of audience participation, and they did a lovely job. We responded with various songs, but it paled by comparison. It went on quite a long time.....there was a huge fire of course and we all sat around. This was a day to remember. Thanks for checking in.