National Geographic Live
Botswana
Chobe River Front
September 30 - October 1, 2019
At the campsites in the National Parks of Botswana you sleep in the middle of the wild animals. The sites are not fenced. We are a guest at the wildlife. The host, for example an elephant, determines the rules. Like not pointing a big lamp at him in the dark. Then he is not responsible for himself.
Peppered
The campsites contain no more than 10 sites and are priced at a reasonable price for us. Only South Africans and locals pay a friend price. Botswana wants to stay away from mass tourism. The price is a nice threshold, they will have thought. Rightly so, the campsites are already fully booked a year in advance. At least, according to the reservation site. No proof of a camping site? Then no access to the park. Wild camping is forbidden. The first leg through the National Park Chobe River Front can be driven in one day. A day permit is sufficient. Halfway through the day we drive past the only campsite in this part. We test our happiness, perhaps a place has become available.
Sometimes it's okay
The receptionist of the campsite, with a cute little daughter, gives us a place to stay. In our mutual interest, she cannot give us a receipt for the payment of 100 US dollars. She does have some instructions. 'You have to go to the toilet by car at night, walking on the campsite is forbidden. Guards patrol and issue a fine if they find you. " We enjoy a beautiful sunset. Africa can be that beautiful. We are alone, left and right are still unoccupied sites. It takes some getting used to, knowing that suddenly a wild animal can stand in front of us. It stays quiet that evening. Just as we want to step into the tent, a car drives by. The rangers are really checking rounds, with a gun waiting in the cabin. Against the robbers who cross the river from Namibia to distribute the possessions of the tourists, in their eyes, more fairly. We ask about the game that we can expect tonight. "Have you no fire?" Is the question again. "No," we confess, "because no wood." Ten minutes later they are back with large branches. They refuse to accept money. We make a campfire with a sense of duty. Whether the fire has saved us, we do not know, at least we slept well.
Dombo
We are experiencing one of the most special days so far. Thanks to the extra day in the park, we can drive all the side roads along the river.
The wild animals walk on both sides of the river. A large elephant family decides to go across the street. The little ones bravely step into the water behind their grand parents. In the middle of the river, where the water is deepest, only their trunks can still be seen. Sticking out of the water like a snorkel. We are moved by this unique image.
We eat a sandwich at a vantage point. Eyes too short, so much to see; herds of zebras, hippos and giraffes. Below us, an elephant and a young baby stroll to the river to drink water. The little one likes to imitate his mom. With his uncontrolled flowing trunk, he drinks varying river water and breast milk. They go into a nearby mud pool for a wash. Until the mother finds it enough and walks away. The baby has too short legs for the step out of the bath. He always slides back. The big elephant turns her head and tenderly wraps her trunk around the baby buttocks. She gives him a butt and walk on together. So touching.
When we see two lazy lions lying under a tree, the day is perfect.
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What a beautiful adventure you experience, and what beautiful pictures!
Greetings M&M from the Algarve (no adventure but nice weather)
It is a great trip, we see a lot and enjoy it to the full. We now have 7500 km on it, with an average of 180 km / day. We are going a bit too fast, so the brake has to be applied a bit. It seems like the PMC with those day distances :). Enjoy the beautiful weather and the surroundings in the Algarves!
Greetings, Onno & Ingrid
What a great journey and adventures! So nice to travel with you in this way!
Love Karen
It is indeed a very nice experience, we enjoy it to the full. We also really enjoy receiving all these sweet messages from everyone. Would you still keep a little contact with the home front and nice that you travel!
Love, Ingrid
Beautiful stories, Ingrid and Onno! After 4 days in Moremi we are now on our way back to Windhoek. It's over… It was very nice to have met you and we wish you many more great adventures.
Warm greetings from Gert and Charmaine
Moremi was a beautiful park (we have to write a bit about it). Did you eventually drive through Khadoum? It is a pity that it is over for you, but there are probably more beautiful journeys coming for you. We also enjoyed meeting you. We went to look at birds more because of Gert's enthusiasm :).
Greetings, Ingrid and Onno
Oh how beautiful, they will never take this away from you.
Love Simon and Annemari