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Mon, Jul 16th, 2012

Our 2011 African Adventure

Our African Adventure this year was truly spectacular. Our small group had a wonderful time and we bonded as good friends by the time our journey had ended.From the tip of Africa ,through the Kalahari Desert and Okavango Delta , all the way to Victoria Falls ,we had an amazingly smooth, worry free trip. Thanks to the humor of Ellen Burleigh, the wit of Marketta Brown and the good nature of the rest of the group, we were never bored and always ready for more adventure. Although we never stopped to rest , we were usually  moving toward another unique experience,and so were never tired.  Sorry it took so long to post these photos but life has been sorta crazy lately. I'll finish the captions as we get time since the folks who we shared Africa with will remember each moment personally. WE are doing a similar adventure in November 2013 and can't wait to visit all our old friends (human and animal) in Africa again.

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The tip of Africa
The tip of Africa
WE began our adventure visiting Cape Point and going out to see the huge seal colonies off the rugged coast. WE visited the lighthouse and explored the park at the tip of the Cape .
The tip of Africa
Sunset over False Bay
Sunset over False Bay
While in Capetown, we visited the famous Two Oceans Aquarium, Hiked around the top of Table Mountain with it's spectacular views, had brunch at our hotel overlooking the old harbor and did a beautiful sunset cruise .
Sunset over False Bay
The Cheetah Outreach center
The Cheetah Outreach center
After visiting the wineries of the Cape and having a gourmet lunch ,we visited the Cheetahs at Spier winery. WE enjoyed a close up visit with the Cheetah cubs and learned about a new program that uses trained Anatolian Shepard dogs to protect livestock.
The Cheetah Outreach center
Sleeping cubs.
Sleeping cubs.
Through Anne's friends at the Cheetah Outreach Center we were allowed a behind-the-scenes tour and got to touch and learn about several of Africa's most endangered species.
Sleeping cubs.
Beautiful Anatolian Guard Dogs
Beautiful Anatolian Guard Dogs
These huge dogs have been bred to protect livestock for over 6000 years and allow ranchers to live side by side with predators.This program saves hundreds of cheetahs each year .
Beautiful Anatolian Guard Dogs
Lunch in wine country
Lunch in wine country
WE were treated to a wonderful gourmet lunch at one of South Africa's most prestigious wineries
Lunch in wine country
The San Bushmen of the Kalahari
The San Bushmen of the Kalahari
WE then journeyed up to Botswana to learn about the oldest civilization on the planet-the San Bushmen.They live today as they have for thousands of years,dependent on the dry desert for life's necessities.
The San Bushmen of the Kalahari
The Hunting Ritual Dance
The Hunting Ritual Dance
At night ,they visited our camp and demonstrated their ancient dances and, through an interpreter,explained their way of life.
The Hunting Ritual Dance
Amazed by their own images
Amazed by their own images
The se people still prefer sleeping under the stars every night and were delighted to see a video recording of their tribal dance.
Amazed by their own images
Lions of the Kalahari
Lions of the Kalahari
Anne spent hours in a huge pen of Lions. These lions had been caught before they were killed for eating cattle. Here they are fed wild game and cattle ,but the cattle meat is drugged to make them sick. Later, they can be released back into the wild safely
Lions of the Kalahari
Dinner with the San
Dinner with the San
WE spent a day with these fascinating folks. They had killed a Kudu with bow and arrow and invited us to have dinner with them. They started a fire, cleaned the meat and cooked it for us -it was delicious!They live very simply but happily in the desert.
Dinner with the San
Up close with the lions
Up close with the lions
Upon release, these lions will teach their offspring that cattle are not on the menu. We really enjoyed being so close to well over 20 lions. WE took photos while Anne did sketches for later work.
Up close with the lions
Close up on Wild Dogs
Close up on Wild Dogs
The same camp had a wonderful wild dog be=reeding program. Once there was 15 million in Africa-now they number only about 15 thousand and are a critically endangered species. WE got to experience them feeding on a carcass from a few feet away.
Close up on Wild Dogs
A regal Family portrait
A regal Family portrait
Needless to say, these lions will be the focus of a piece of art someday. They were beautiful and quite used to us by the time we left..
A regal Family portrait
Our bushmen family
Our bushmen family
Although given housing ,they still prefer to live with only what they carry on their backs and sleep under the beautiful starry night sky.
Our bushmen family
Bushman children
Bushman children
The kids were so interesting and beautiful.
Bushman children
Lioness of the Kalahari
Lioness of the Kalahari
We loved hearing the lions at night- roaring to define their territory.
Lioness of the Kalahari
Bushmen Art
Bushmen Art
This woman's mother was an internationally famous artist in the "Bushman style", She was featured in this book. When Anne is around ,artists spring up out of nowhere. It's fun to see them share ideas with her.
Bushmen Art
More cute kids
More cute kids
The kids loved the Kazoos we shared with them.
More cute kids
Zebras at sunset
Zebras at sunset
Oh yes... we saw loads of other animals.
Zebras at sunset
Night falls over the desert
Night falls over the desert
Anne and Ellen must have had a bit to much wine at dinner this night
Night falls over the desert
Banoka Camp
Banoka Camp
Our cabins overlooked this Hippo watering hole. Loads of wildlife just outside our porch was wonderful to watch into the night
Banoka Camp
An old Male Hippo
An old Male Hippo
This old male hippo tried to invade our hippo pool and the ensuing hippo fight was startling in it's ferocity and outcome!
An old Male Hippo
Off to find another place to soak
Off to find another place to soak
The old male got run off and ambles toward our cabin in search of another water hole.
Off to find another place to soak
Warrior Queen
Warrior Queen
WE watched in awe for an hour as this incredible predator hunted it's dinner . Antelope was on the menu that night!
Warrior Queen
Boogie at the Banoka Boma
Boogie at the Banoka Boma
At this camp the locals put on a wonderful native dance and invited us to dance with them..
Boogie at the Banoka Boma
Another local artist
Another local artist
Another budding artist comparing notes with Anne.
Another local artist
Wild Dogs napping
Wild Dogs napping
Sleeping in the shadows of a tree ,we realized how the coloration of a Dog pack makes them invisible from a short distance.
Wild Dogs napping
Watching the Wild Dogs watch us.
Watching the Wild Dogs watch us.
What a unique animal, they will hunt down an animal and then stand aside and let the youngsters and injured eat first.
Watching the Wild Dogs watch us.
Waiting for our plane
Waiting for our plane
WE flew from Camp to Camp to enable us to see as much of Africa as possible in 2 weeks. WE always booked 2 extra seats so we could bring all the luggage we needed.
Waiting for our plane
Elephant walk
Elephant walk
At Duma Tau our pool and deck was right on the elephant trail through the Okavango Delta.
Elephant walk
Sunset on a lone Wild Dog
Sunset on a lone Wild Dog
Sunset on a lone Wild Dog
An old friend
An old friend
WE followed this lioness as she caught up with her pride after a night of mating. Later we watch the same lion try to cross a river safely.
An old friend
Eye to Eye with a maneater!
Eye to Eye with a maneater!
I froze as the lion slowly and menacingly walked up to within 3 feet of me! And then calmly walked around the back of our Rover.
Eye to Eye with a maneater!
Anne sketching
Anne sketching
As we watched and photographed the dramas unfold ,Anne was busy with her pad and Pencil.
Anne sketching
Lions swimming?
Lions swimming?
This beautiful shot was of our lion friend finally crossing the river ,wary of Crocs and hippos...
Lions swimming?
Off to join the Pride
Off to join the Pride
Off to join the Pride
Warthogs everywhere
Warthogs everywhere
Funny looking and comical in their actions sometimes
Warthogs everywhere
Elephants in the parking Lot!
Elephants in the parking Lot!
WE saw many ,many elephants . This herd was feeding on the trees in the Duma Tau parking area blocking us from lunch while we photographed their family life.
Elephants in the parking Lot!
Four for Lunch?
Four for Lunch?
As we ate lunch one day, a huge bull elephant decided it wanted to join our group for lunch.
Four for Lunch?
Hey ! Stop eating my cabin!
Hey ! Stop eating my cabin!
I guess this guy like the taste of tourist cabin!
Hey ! Stop eating my cabin!
CRUNCH!
CRUNCH!
CRUNCH!
Our rooms at Duma Tau
Our rooms at Duma Tau
The rooms were wonderful! Private showers inside and out and hand carved wood everywhere.
Our rooms at Duma Tau
Our Bathroom.
Our Bathroom.
Besides a beautiful en suite bath, our porch overlooked herds of Elephant, Antelope, Giraffe,and Cape Buffalo!
Our Bathroom.
Elephants feeding just outside our porch
Elephants feeding just outside our porch
This family of elephants bathed and played in the river in front of our cabin.
Elephants feeding just outside our porch
Our River boat
Our River boat
WE took a wonderful river cruise. WE happened to be at the right spot at the right time to see two large herds of elephant crossing . Watching the mothers help their little ones across was touching. Trunks make great snorkels!s!
Our River boat
Elephants finally across !
Elephants finally across !
One of the herds we watched slowly swim across a lake in the Okavango Delta
Elephants finally across !
A Rock Star Bird
A Rock Star Bird
Yellow, Red, with Black and white spots and a blue crown!
A Rock Star Bird
Stealing crumbs !
Stealing crumbs !
The bird life was amazing- these guys were everywhere!
Stealing crumbs !
Waiting to hunt
Waiting to hunt
This beautiful leopard was waiting for dusk so that she could begin her hunt
Waiting to hunt
The eyes of the Hunter
The eyes of the Hunter
We followed this leopard into the night as she stalked her prey.
The eyes of the Hunter
Breakfast over the Okavango Delta
Breakfast over the Okavango Delta
Watching the animals feed as we feed.
Breakfast over the Okavango Delta
Dinner under the stars
Dinner under the stars
Dinner under the stars
Two of our friendly and incredibly knowledgeable guides
Two of our friendly and incredibly knowledgeable guides
Two of our friendly and incredibly knowledgeable guides
Sunset overlooking Victoria Falls from our hotel
Sunset overlooking Victoria Falls from our hotel
Sunset overlooking Victoria Falls from our hotel
The Victoria Falls Hotel
The Victoria Falls Hotel
Where the Queen stays when she comes to visit Africa
The Victoria Falls Hotel
I love elephants
I love elephants
I love elephants
Jim arm wrestling an elephant- he lost.
Jim arm wrestling an elephant- he lost.
Jim arm wrestling an elephant- he lost.
They sure are “nosy”.
They sure are “nosy”.
They sure are “nosy”.
An elephant sized kiss
An elephant sized kiss
An elephant sized kiss
Our elephant back Safari was one of the highlights of the trip
Our elephant back Safari was one of the highlights of the trip
Our elephant back Safari was one of the highlights of the trip
A beautiful cheetah
A beautiful cheetah
A beautiful cheetah
An orphaned cheetah kiss
An orphaned cheetah kiss
An orphaned cheetah kiss
Soaking in the Zambezi
Soaking in the Zambezi
While Jim and the others fished for tiger fish, we found a comfortable pool and soaked the day away.
Soaking in the Zambezi
A black rhino family
A black rhino family
The baby rhino here with his parents was only about 2 months old, but Weighed about 500 pounds
A black rhino family
Our team at Victoria Falls
Our team at Victoria Falls
Our team at Victoria Falls
Lots to shop for at Victoria Falls
Lots to shop for at Victoria Falls
Lots to shop for at Victoria Falls
One Of the wonders of the world
One Of the wonders of the world
Victoria Falls is one of the most beautiful spots on the planet. The thunder and roar of the water is hard to describe.
One Of the wonders of the world
Rainbows everywhere in the mist
Rainbows everywhere in the mist
Rainbows everywhere in the mist
one of my favorite shots of the falls
one of my favorite shots of the falls
one of my favorite shots of the falls
A Matabele warrior we met on our Zambezi river cruise
A Matabele warrior we met on our Zambezi river cruise
A Matabele warrior we met on our Zambezi river cruise
Elephants on the Zambezi–the future art piece
Elephants on the Zambezi–the future art piece
Elephants on the Zambezi–the future art piece

Fishing the Zambezi
Fishing the Zambezi
A good size Nile Perch, JIm hooked a 12 pound Tigerfish and released it.
Fishing the Zambezi
We sighted many elephants on our Zambezi sunset cruise
We sighted many elephants on our Zambezi sunset cruise
We sighted many elephants on our Zambezi sunset cruise
Sunset on the Zambezi–awesome!
Sunset on the Zambezi–awesome!
Sunset on the Zambezi–awesome!


Our friend dancing at the Boma later that night.
Our friend dancing at the Boma later that night.
Our friend dancing at the Boma later that night.
Facepainting By an African artist at dinner that night
Facepainting By an African artist at dinner that night
Facepainting By an African artist at dinner that night
Antelope on the grill, warthog, Eland, and steak. A true African feast. Even the Mopani worms were delicious.
Antelope on the grill, warthog, Eland, and steak. A true African feast. Even the Mopani worms were delicious.
Antelope on the grill, warthog, Eland, and steak. A true African feast. Even the Mopani worms were delicious.
Too much fun and too many drinks
Too much fun and too many drinks
Too much fun and too many drinks
Fishing the Zambezi
Fishing the Zambezi
We had a great time fishing on our Zambezi Canoe trip. We hooked a good size tiger fish. Quite a thrill!
Fishing the Zambezi
Baby black rhino
Baby black rhino
We were captivated by this black rhino family relaxing 5 feet from our vehicle
Baby black rhino
Victoria falls hotel
Victoria falls hotel
This place is classic. It's where the Queen stays when she visits the Falls.
Victoria falls hotel
Sharing kazoos at the orphanage
Sharing kazoos at the orphanage
One of our regular adventures takes us to the Victoria Falls orphanage.
Sharing kazoos at the orphanage
Kazoo diplomacy
Kazoo diplomacy
Kazoo diplomacy
Dancing to kazoo music
Dancing to kazoo music
Dancing to kazoo music
Dancing to kazoo music
Dancing to kazoo music
We had a blast dancing and singing with the kids
Dancing to kazoo music
Our group with our new family
Our group with our new family
Our group with our new family
A rewarding experience for everyone
A rewarding experience for everyone
A rewarding experience for everyone
Our treehouse in Tanzania
Our treehouse in Tanzania
After our adventures in South Africa, we journeyed to Tanzania to stay on an island in the Indian Ocean.
Our treehouse in Tanzania
Our treehouse bedroom
Our treehouse bedroom
CHOLE Minjini is an incredible resort made up of 8 treehouses on a small island that was once a Portuguese trading post. It was deserted in 1900, and overgrown with jungle for 100 years. a South African businessman bought the island .
Our treehouse bedroom
Loading our DHOW for snorkeling
Loading our DHOW for snorkeling
The entire island is run on solar power and to go fishing or diving you sail across the Indian Ocean.
Loading our DHOW for snorkeling
Snorkeling was incredible!
Snorkeling was incredible!
Snorkeling was incredible!

Watching the stars from our treehouse
Watching the stars from our treehouse
At night we watched thousands of fruit bats leaving the island to eat on the mainland. The stars were incredible
Watching the stars from our treehouse
The loft in our treehouse
The loft in our treehouse
The loft looked out over the Indian Ocean and was a great place to read. Each night dinner was served at a different location in the ruins. Very romantic!
The loft in our treehouse
Wonderful undersea life!
Wonderful undersea life!
Wonderful undersea life!








The old ruins
The old ruins
Over the past hundred years trees have taken over the remains of the trading post. Note the doorway in the overgrown wall behind me.
The old ruins
Sailing home!
Sailing home!
What a wonderful island and a romantic visit thanks to our friend Jean Paul and his wife. We can't wait to visit again!
Sailing home!

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