As many of you knew, I was tentatively planning on heading out to Africa for a 14-day safari with a friend of the site, Dan of Grass Track Safaris, but the timing ended up not working out so I had to go it alone. Anyway, Dan got back safely from the continent and had some time to put together some footage of what I missed out on. (He’s also beaten me to the punch by at least a few weeks regarding an Africa travel video.)

This clip follows the group as they head from Victoria Falls, through Chobe, and into the Okavango Delta. As far as wildlife goes, I have to say I’m especially jealous of the fact that there’s not one but two shots of leopard (1:25 and 2:30) in the vid (I had zero on my safari).

Also, nice choice of Amadou & Mariam for the music in the background, by far my favorite blind duo musical act from Mali, and I don’t say that very often.

On safari in the Botswana bush in search of the elusive lion.

By Danielle Max

Modern hunters may shoot with cameras and not guns, but the adrenalin rush when the “prey” comes into view remains, as I discovered when I went in search of the elusive lion in Botswana. While elephants thrive in great numbers, I learned that spotting the big cats takes perseverance, endurance and, more than anything else, a whole lot of luck.

After nearly an hour of driving along rutted paths and seeing little more than a few birds and some wandering antelope — all of which I had nevertheless diligently ticked off in my safari guide: “Northern Botswana, Eastern Caprivi and Zambezi River” — Michael, my guide, finally saw what we’d been looking for. “Look, fresh lion tracks,” he said, leaning out of the side of our truck and pointing to the sandy road below. “Looks like they passed by here very recently.”

This was the final drive of my trip and it was exactly what I had come to Botswana to see. I rushed to the opposite side of the vehicle to study the footprints in the sand. While I, a mere novice, could barely make out the faded prints, an expert like Michael could read them as clearly as if following signs on a highway. After much patient gesticulating and pointing, we began to drive slowly forward and I followed the tracks as they made their way down the road. (more…)