What an even better two nights we had on the houseboat and I got to see my leopard which I've been dying to see. Was so excited when our guide spotted it although I did think he was pulling our leg.

Saturday morning after breakfast we went out on a short walk on the island with Raph. He took us to a local village which was built around this huge old baobab tree. As soon as the kids saw us, they bought out their curios for us to look at but we didn't have much cash with us. I asked if they would accept US$1 for a necklace and they said yes. I gave it to them and then they told Raph they would not accept it because it had a tear in it. They took 10 rand instead, which was a bit of a mark up on the exchange rate but what the heck. They're only young but they are already business minded!! We also saw the local clinic and school and walked past the 'God Knows' Shop (it was like a little corner store).

After a cold drink at the lodge, we were transferred to the houseboat, Ichobezi Moli. Our room had a huge picture window looking out and upstairs was an open area with couches, dining table, bar, plunge pool & deck chairs. Perfect. Turns out there was only going to be 4 of us on the boat, us plus George & Sally. We had our welcome drink and off we set. Our first overnight stop was going to be Elephant Bay which was 15kms down the river. We meandered down the river while we ate lunch. Nothing like eating, while watching hippos splash in the river, elephants eat on the banks & other animals grazing too.

Time for the deck chair and a book and also to try out the plunge pool but it was too cold for me, legs only to cool off. Once we arrived at Elephant Bay and tied up we were able to go out in the tender boats. Mum and George decided to go fishing while Sally & I were heading out for game viewing (I can never resist game viewing because I'm afraid of what I might miss if I don't go). As we got in the boat, we told Given (Boat Manager) we would like a leopard today and he said he would see what he could sort out. Our boat driver was Clet and off we headed. Some Bee Eater birds were sitting on this branch and we were able to take the boat right under the branch and I got some great photos, I couldn't believe they didn't fly off.

So many birds here and the guides are so knowledgeable. Continued heading up river but same old animals. On the way back, we were flying down the river and all of a sudden Clet turns the boat towards shore and says 'there's a leopard, not it's a lion, no it's a leopard'. Sally & I were like 'where, where' and he says 'it's on the bank' and I'm looking and I can't see it and I'm thinking he's pulling my leg because he knows how much we want to see one and then all of a sudden Sally says 'there it is' and there it was. He was just sitting there on the bank, next to a tree. He was beautiful and we were so excited. We called other boats over so they could also share in him but before long he wandered off. He was right next to a lodge - I wonder if the guests knew a leopard was so near.

We headed down to Sunset Bay to watch the sunset and again in the distance were the giraffes and then back to Elephant Bay where we sat and watched the elephants for a while before parking in front of the baboons to watch their show which is always good for a laugh. Back to the boat, only hoping that George & Mum had caught a huge fish to make up for the fact they didn't see the leopard. Mum had caught another 2kg fish and George had also caught a few so that was good. Once it got dark you couldn't see the river banks so anything could have been out there. After going to bed we were awoken about 1.30am thanks to the baboons having a party. They were so loud and it sounded like someone was constantly yelling out 'yahooo'.

I was surprised by the lack of animals out in the morning; they obviously don't go to the river until later in the day. Sally & George were heading home today so mum and I went out in the tender. Went to see if the leopard was there, but unfortunately not so we went fishing. On the way we watched one hippo chase another. Every few seconds, one would come out of the water and boy were they moving. We thought at first it was chasing us but one soon turned around. I took a book and some magazines and was quite happy reading and soaking up the sun while mum fished. She managed to catch a small one but they weren't really biting. Back to the boat about 1pm, the sun was getting seriously hot and Kathy & Lana had arrived at the boat.

The boat then set off for our next docking point, another 15kms down the river. More wildlife viewing and this time we saw giraffes up closer on the bank. I kept popping into the plunge pool to cool down. We saw a couple of elephant crossings where the herd crossed the river. Mum loves those. Once we arrived at our spot, we jumped into the tender and just went out for a short ride. We had already seen so much. Another great dinner and early to bed. The boat started heading back up river at 6am as we were both leaving the boat today. We motored quite a bit faster back then the way down but again not a lot of animals out early.

After we docked, we went and cleared Namibian immigration and then started the trek back towards Zambia. It has been an amazing 4 nights out here and it has definitely been a highlight of the trip. The staff were so friendly and helpful, the food was incredible and the animals were definitely out on show. What more could you ask for!!

Mum says:
Tanya saw the leopard and I was out fishing again so I missed the sighting but not too disappointed as I was enjoying the fishing & caught another 2kg fish. I had a good strike rate as I was catching 1 in 3 strikes. Seeing the elephants & hippos was amazing, especially the first group of 45. Hi-lights of the trip so far is the Giraffe Manor - having breakfast with the giraffes right next to you, the zebra mother with baby & the king of the jungle in the Masai Mara, the accommodation at Chobe River, both lodge & house boat & all the elephants.