UNE Zoology Overseas Study Tour 2017

Our last nights spent camping, finishing in the spectacular Chobe National Park. Second in size only to the Zambezi, this area is home to the largest elephant herds in the world, and certainly did not disappoint. We were also fortunate enough to see Honey Badgers,  Baboons, Nile Crocodiles, Lions stalking Impalas and a Leopard in full view . We camped in a Teak forested dune that overlooks this beautiful river, a permanent water source that attracts many species to the area. The tour then crossed the Zambezi River by boat at Kazungula, an area where the borders of Zambia, Namibia, Zimbabwe and Botswana all meet. After checking into our hotel,  the tour group finished our trip by visiting the incredible Victoria Falls . A truly spectacular way to end the tour. Tonight we have spent our last night of the trip eating dinner by the mighty Zambezi River, before we pack and head to the airport tomorrow morning to start the long flights home. The group will be bringing

The group has spent the last two nights camping on the northern bank of the Khwai River, entering Chobe National Park. The camp site is located close to the flowing Savuti Channel, meaning game are in high numbers nearby offering lots of opportunity to see new species. We have been rewarded by seeing Dwarf Mongoose, leopards on the drive and calling in the camp .On our last day here we were also able to climb one of the hills to see San Bushman wall paintings that date back hundreds of years, a special moment for all.

Two nights camping in one of the best wildlife areas of Botswana, Moremi Game Reserve. This area sits on the edge of the famous Okavango Delta, and the group was lucky enough to take a day cruise around the waterways of the Delta, getting to see first hand the importance of this water resource and how the wildlife differs from the dry surrounds. Moremi is characterised by small areas of dry land rising between vast wetlands with crystal clear water channels on the edges of Mopane and Apple-Leaf woodlands. Highlights over the past few days have included a herd of 60 plus breeding Elephants of all different ages, Zebras and Hippos. 

This region is perhaps one of the most diverse in the whole of Botswana, a fact that saw this region made a conservation area back in 1964. The group is now well and truly in to the routine of an early start before dawn before we take in our first game drive, then a siesta, shower and washing in the hotter parts of the day before heading out in the cooler hours for a second game drive. This timetable maximizes our chances of seeing interesting wildlife, and we've certainly been able to do that with highlights thus far including lions with cubs, wild dogs in camp and hunting impala and eagle-owls.  Packing up today and heading to another section of Moremi to continue our tour.