For the next two days, we get to experience the 1,000th UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Okavango Delta.  The Okavango is a vast and varied ecosystem created as the Okavango River flows into the Kalahari desert in Botswana.  It receives 70% of its water from Angola and 30% from rainfall.

Generally flat, with a height variation of less than two meters across its area, dry land in the Okavango Delta is predominantly comprised of numerous small islands, such as Mokoro Island, formed when vegetation takes root on termite mounds.

To arrive at Guma Lagoon Lodge in the Okavango Delta, we stopped at a “garage” area where we had lunch, chatted with six young boys watching us (I gave them colored pencils I brought with me), and left the Red Elephant behind for a couple of days.  A driver from our lodge with a four-wheeled drive cab pulling a trailer with two long benches took us over sandy delta land to our lodge.  It was a bumpy hour-long ride!

Our ride to the lodge.

The kids with their pencils and food we gave them.  After we finish eating, our guides give our leftovers to locals.

This old man will keep an eye on the Red Elephant while we’re gone.  I learned that calling someone an “Old Man” or “Old Lady” is respectful as it acknowledges their years of experience and wisdom.

Houses along the way.

Very sandy.

Donkeys provide transportation for people and goods.

A monkey peeked out to check on us.  Monkeys tend to eat elephant dung since elephants have poor digestive systems and leave much of the food they consume unchanged.

My tent cabin for two nights.  Much more comfortable than the one in Kalahari!

Relaxing on my deck.

Another beautiful African sunset.