Day 13 - 15

Kasane –Nata:

Nothing exciting about this part of the trip except that we saw elephant and giraffe crossing the main road just after leaving Kassane. Arrived in Nata and while looking for accommodation got a puncture in the middle of ‘town’ – right outside a tyre repair shop (Botswana style). Guys were really skilled with the equipment they had and actually took pride in doing a good job. Pula well spent! Found the Nata Lodge and treated ourselves to a lovely wooden cabin with outdoor shower. Interesting that they had their own security guards – looked like a small army – to prevent robberies. Creepy when you are out in the middle of nowhere! Too late for game drive on Sua Pan and it was VERY expensive.

Tyre repair shop (Botswana style)

Nata – Maun:

Uneventful driving but lots of truck, cows, horses, donkeys and goats on the road. Managed to find Baines Baobabs in Nxai Pan – not really worth two hours thick sand driving and the three gemsbok we saw! Then wondered into Makgadikgadi Pans (say that with a mouth full of cereal!). Had a fabulous game drive in the middle of the day and saw loads of elephant, huge groups of zebra (pyjama party), giraffe,wildebeest, hippo sleeping in the river,  loads of kudu and plenty McDonald’s (springbok and impala). Isolated and empty campsite on river bank – lovely setting but foul ablutions that were extremely off-putting – and really expensive (155Pula pp)!  Monkeys and ‘Zazoo birds’ (red and yellow hornbill) seem to have taken over the campsite.

Maun feels like one large township but even so, Standard Bank garage card was not accepted (having no credit card is the pits!!) The people seemed quite friendly but the bloody dogs never stop barking – allllll nights long!! Stayed at Audi Camp – believe Audi is a kind of fish. Locals say the rivers are very high – highest in 40 years. Loads of tourists in and out of Audi Camp and camping at only 42Pula pp. Mind you, had to endure a cold shower in the morning (solar power) – Simon calls that invigorating!

Baines Baobabs

Maun – Kang:

Stayed at the Kalahari Rest Camp outside of Kang where we treated ourselves to clean linen and a real bed. Note to self: ask whether the ‘donkey’ will be lit in the morning as well as the evening for hot water….. Now on the road to Sekoma and the border into S.A. Loads of horses, goats, cows and trucks to contend with.

Kalahari Rest Camp

Persuaded Si to grow his beard - 'out of Africa' look!