Monthly Archives: June 2013

Puff Adder at Chobe National Park

We had just hopped out of the small boat and into a 4 Wheel Drive vehicle. Looking up the track we could see plenty of tracks in the sand. Just a short distance up the track we found the source of these tracks – a Puff Adder.

The Puff Adder (part of the Viper Family) is a venomous snake species found in Africa and is a thick robust heavily built snake. It has the distinctive triangular head and chevron markings down length of the snake. This species is responsible for more fatalities than any other African snake, including the Black Mamba.

Although the puff adder is classified as the most dangerous snake in Africa, it is neither the deadliest, nor the most venomous snake in Africa. Regardless – it is a good idea to stay away from them!!

Lions having a rest in the Midday Sun at Chobe

We came across a few female lions and a number of their cubs under some trees in the Chobe National Park. They did not seem fazed at all with the closeness of the 4 Wheel Drive that we were in – I guess they have seen quite a number of the vehicles. All the same, this young Lion Cub popped its head up and had a quick look around to see what was happening.

The females had obviously had tracking devices attached to them and this allows research to take place on their movement and migration.

Lionness with Tracking collar in Chobe National Park

Hippopotamus in the Chobe River

The hippopotamus (Hippopotamus amphibius), or hippo, from the ancient Greek for “river horse” (ἱπποπόταμος), is a large, mostly herbivorous mammal in sub-Saharan Africa. They are extremely large and can be very aggressive animals.

Whilst they were quite calm at Chobe River, we did see two Hippo’s fighting in a river in the Serengeti and they were causing considerable injuries and cuts on each other as they fought. Again, it is not a good idea to get close to these “River Horses”

Nile Crocodile alongside the Chobe River

The Nile crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus) is an African crocodile and the second largest living reptile in the world, after the saltwater crocodile. The Nile crocodile is quite widespread throughout sub-saharan Africa, occurring mostly in the central, eastern and southern parts of the continent and lives in different types of aquatic environments such as lakes, rivers and marshlands.

Nile Crocodile alongside the Chobe River

As we rode in a small boat along the Chobe River, we were given the opportunity to get up close (I think a little too close) to see these large reptiles. Just looking at the size of these creatures and the teeth which appeared to be very sharp means I definitely do not want to get anywhere near them – or in the water. There speed is incredible.

When you look across the water in places, you can see at times what looks likes eyes just moving down the river.

Elephant at Sundown alongside the Chobe River

The reflection of the sun off the River just caught me in the eye and looking over the flood plain of the Chobe River, the silhouette of an Elephant making its way looked so peaceful. The golden colour of the sky and the golden reflection off the water just gave that special experience as we enjoyed “Sundowners” at Chobe.