On March 25, 2014, Mom and I flew up to Livingston, Zambia and then took a small boat across the Zambezi River to Botswana. Pictured here are Gus and Becky Hoffman and Mom boarding the boat. Botswana is on the far river bank.

Immigration building in Kazungula, Botswana.

Sister Hoffman going through the mandatory disinfectant pool. Everyone coming into Botswana has to step into the disinfectant pool. We could have been carrying bugs.

The Fish Eagle is the national bird of Botswana. As you can see it's a relative of the American Bald Eagle.

Rather than take a ride to view the game, we took a small boat up the Chobe River. Lots of elephants getting their fill of water.  The Zambezi and Chobe Rivers are in flood right now.

You never want to get too close to the hippos if you're in a small boat. They have a reputation for being the meanest animals in the water. This small herd of hippos had both adults and newborns in it.  The adults were very watchful as our boat approached. The hippo on the right was just yawning. Our boat was the same size as the one you can see across the river.

This is the Chobe Safari Lodge where we stayed.

Where the Zambezi and Chobe Rivers meet (just up stream from Victoria Falls) four countries come together: Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana and, by way of the Caprivi Strip, Namibia.

When you're in a small boat, these guys look really big!

Plus you have the African Crocodiles looking for a little nibble.

Africa has some beautiful birds. I think this is a relative of the Kingfisher.

This big bull elephant was eating reeds that grow in the river.

Fortunately he was knee deep in the mud and water, eating to his heart's content. He didn't pay us much attention.

There are over 2 million Impalas in Southern Africa. This is a male Impala.You can tell because he has horns.

The Cape Buffalo is one of the Big 5.  Also known as "black death" and the "widow maker," the Cape Buffalo is one very dangerous animal. The horns of the Cape Buffalo are fused together at their base, presenting a bone shield to his head. Even a bullet would find it difficult to get through that horn. We passed this guy on the Chobe River bank. He gave me the stink eye as you can see.

This crocodile came into the river to get a closer look at our little boat.

This was close enough for me.

Some of the 2 million Impala in Southern Africa. These are all females. No horns!

Can you say Hakuna Matata?  Very ugly Wart Hogs.

A rather large hippo looking our direction.

These elephants heard and saw us coming so they slowly walked back into the bush. 

This guy stayed and even got a little aggressive.

Head down, ears out--he's thinking about charging.

I guess he was just thirsty.

Some locals from Namibia heading home up river.