In October 2009 Cassia and I flew up to Ichingo Chobe River Lodge, Impalila Island,  for Robin “Kempo” Kemps 70^th birthday bash, to be followed by a short trip to Victoria Falls (as Cassia had not seen them) and then a few days at “The Hide” in Hwange Game Reserve. Ichingo is a luxury tented camp Lodge on the Chobe River side of Impalila Island superbly run by Kempo’s lifelong mate and great guy Ralph Oxham.

What a place to have a 70th birthday bash!!

Then it was time to to take a cruise up the Chobe in the very upmarket Ichobezi Safariboats with an overnighter upriver. Each Safariboat has 4 well appointed en-suite cabins with picture windows and there is great entertainment deck with a lounge, bar & dining area where we obviously spent most of our time. What a wonderful cruise with tremendous game viewing and great company, wine & food!

Gameviewing on the cruise

Although we were there before many of the migrants returned, the birding was also great and a couple of “lifers” were picked up during the trip

Fortunately, I was still able to get in a couple of sessions of fly fishing for Tigerfish and was it great! We drifted in a boat  just above the rapids and Lodge on the Chobe river casting chartreuse &white, blue & white & orange and white Clousers. The trick was to let it sink for as long as possible before stripping. This was some of the best fly fishing for Tiger that I’ve ever experienced – see the results in my fishing gallery!