Arriving at the dirt strip serving the Linyanti Bush Camp https://africanbushcamps.com/camps/linyanti-bush-camp/, we were met by our guides, Eschee and Chris. They loaded us up in the ubiquitous LandCruisers and off we went on the 30 minute drive to our home for the next three days. Along the way we saw some zebras.
We were met at the camp by Cassie, our hostess, and her crew. Receiving our orientation, we were escorted to our rooms to unpack and rest before heading out on our first game drive in the Linyanti Swamp.
The entrance to the Linyanti camp
The lodge was quite nice and open. The ladies were enjoying a snack before heading out.
We saw a lot of wildlife at Nogatsaa, but it seemed on this first drive at Linyanti, there was more to see.
An impala (with the McDonald’s emblem on the rear;
A male kudu.
A carmine bee-eater.
Lilac breasted roller.
As long as we are looking at birds, here are some white-faced whistling ducks:
And a black-bellied starling taking a bath:
Warthogs were a regular sight, really attractive animals. Only a mother could love this face, mother warthog that is:
Breakfast at the Linyanti Bush Camp. We had a nice light breakfast before hitting the LandCruisers as the sun was coming up.
Sketch of an African Open-billed in the early morning light.
Verraeux’s Eagle Owl
The first afternoon, some of us went on a mokoro safari in the swamp. The mokoro is basically a dugout canoe, with a guide/poler on the back.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mokoro
Here we are loading up.
Kay and Lynne enjoying the ride.
The photographer at work in the mokoro.
While stopped watching the scenery in the mokoro, I saw a nice stick floating past me. I picked it up, and thought “what a nice walking stick” then realized I would never get it back on the plane with me, so I tossed it in a clump of grass next to me. From the back of the mokoro, I heard Gina say”that is the guides pole,”, he had lost hold of his pole. So I floated it back to him. Another exciting story from our trip.
A sparrow weaver’s nest. The male builds nests and female picks one she likes. (Sound familiar?) They are always built on the west side of trees, and were used for directions by natives in the delta.
A lechwe in the swamp. The lechwe use the swamp to escape predators, making use of knee deep water holes to hide. Knees have a protective covering which helps the lechwe run fast in the water.
African Fish eagle on mound.
Red-billed Spur Fowl.
Shelda and Leslie in the mokoro, obviously enjoying life.
A little bee-eater flying by.
Trees on the bank.
Sunset from the mokoro.
After the mokoro ride, the rest of the group joined us for a sundowner, our late afternoon wine and beer break. Soft drinks also available. The motley crew:
Our guides enjoying the sundowner.
On the way back to the lodge that evening, we saw honey badgers in their den, but it was too dark for a decent picture. After another fine dinner, we retired for a good nights sleep. Next morning back up and at it again. Impalas in the morning sun.
Vervet monkey.
Grey Heron and Little Egret.
African Fish Eagle.
Arnot’s Chat.
We were riding along one of the dirt tracks with Chris driving and looking side to side for game, when Gina hollered from behind Chris “Watch Out!” a large elephant was blocking the path just at a curve ahead of us. Chris said it shook him up a bit.
We were much too close to him. He would probably have come out on top in a collision. We waited patiently until he decided to walk on.
The last night in Linyanti, we were treated to dinner in the bush. Gina and I had taken the afternoon off, so we were ferried out to dinner along with the heartthrob of the camp, a young French helicopter pilot who was staying at the camp. The young man was four months into a three year contract to fly for the camps in the area. Some of our group took flights over the swamp with the young man. Not my cup of tea.
Our table in the bush. Cassie and her group went to a lot of effort to set up away from the camp, another example of the excellent hospitality we received at each and every camp.
The next morning we went on an abbreviated drive, then off to the Linyanti air strip for our next adventure.
A pretty landscape:
This is yours truly eagerly awaiting our next flight.
Here are Precious and Janet having fun before takeoff.
Next stop – Khwai Tented Camp.
