Tawanda one of our Zimbabwean guides got back from Botswana after having completed a BTa14 and his clients had such a great game experience that he thought he could share this... The BTa14 Wild Parks is one tour that never fails to provide a great game experience in vast numbers. Each day there is another chance to go out in search for different kind’s flora and fauna. As for the wild life, if you do not get to see any, it does not mean there in none. We need to always remember that these animals are wild and very good at camouflaging, which makes sightings very exciting.

The first day was so amazing because Mother Nature provided us with a gift, a privilege of viewing one of Africa’s endangered species, a member of the big five, the mighty armoured beast the white Rhino. The first game drive at Khama Rhino Sanctuary in our Red Elephant (our truck) was proving to be fruitful. The Oryx (Gemsbok) is a horse-like antelope with lance-shaped horns an amazing animal to see, with beautiful colours.

The Moremi Game Reserve presented us with spectacular game viewing and off road driving in our open 4WD vehicle (Toyota Land Cruiser). The moment we entered Moremi, we started to see a lot of Jumbos (elephants), single gigantic males and breeding herds with young ones. It’s always a marvellous sighting when you come across baby elephants, so little and vulnerable in comparison to the adult mothers and other family members. Very cute little trumpeters that will one day become a force to reckon with.
Due to resent large amounts of rain fall in Botswana, part of the Moremi game reserve is flooded. We had to drive through deep water pools that needed a good off road vehicle and we just had the right type with us. It was impressive moments as the Land Cruiser drove in and out of muddy water with easy, into narrow bushy tracks, as we navigated our way through Moremi.

The second day in the reserve had a different challenge for us, as we got stuck in a mud hole. Giving us an opportunity to showcase our experience in the bush, as we worked on getting our vehicle from the mud elephants were walking around us not far from the vehicle, doing their daily business. I remember one bull even came to close for our comfort, but he only wanted to shake the acacia tree that was close to us, so that he could get some pods off the tree and feed on them. We watched as the big boy used this technique to harvest the pods. We managed to free the vehicle within a few minutes. Thus the saying goes (you have never been on a game drive in Africa, if you do not get stuck at some point), which makes it an adventure.
On the third day on our way back to Hyena Pan Bush Lodge, we came across two male lions feeding on a stripped donkey (zebra) carcass. I estimated that the kill might have happened late midnight because the carcass didn’t produce any awful odour by mid afternoon the next day, which is the time we got to lions. We only got to see the hind leg portion of the zebra as the brothers had eaten up most of the animal. The lions ignored our presence and continued sleeping next to their meal and we drove away and called it a day.

We had an opportunity to view four of the big five on this tour, these being the Rhino, Lion, Elephant and Buffalo. We only didn’t manage to come across the illusive Leopard. I guess the leopard made sure that we have to go back to Moremi another day in future. So that he could play his game of hide and seek with us again. Great viewings that will always be remembered. Loved it and enjoyed it.