Zambia Safari 1 : Botswana first

After a few days in Joburg, we were back at the farm, packing and sorting the caravan for Zambia 2019.

Luckily, we had a fun weekend at the farm too, a farewell for Tommy and Mandy.

leaving Maizefield

Tuesday 9 April 

After meeting Danie and John in Modimolle, we head to Matamba Bush Camp. It's a lovely place for the start of any trip heading through Botswana, a night to get everything sorted.

Wednesday 10 April

Drive to the Platjan border. Easy, peasy through this border. We head to Molema Bush Camp in Tuli Block. The private campsites on the Limpopo river are really great and they do also have some bungalows.

Thursday 11 April

You can self drive, it's strictly 4 x4 though, but we opt for an organised game drive with a guide the next morning. We had almost given up tracking the lions and stopped next to the river at Eagle Rock. I asked if I could jump out of the vehicle for a wee. Just as I was about to climb down, KB, our guide decided to check first. Next thing he comes running around the bush, white as a sheet,  "There's Lions! " Two big males behind the bush I was going wee behind! That was a close shave and I suddenly didn't need to go so urgently. It's a stunning place and we will be back.

Friday 12 April

It's quite a bit of driving to Elephant Sands, outside Nata, another favourite overnight stop when heading north.

Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 April

The campsite at Chobe River Lodge, just outside Kasane, is also on a river and some sites are nicer than others, so it's the luck of the draw. The great thing here is that you can use all the hotel facilities and the pool deck has awesome sunset views over the river. Order you GnTs from the bar and it's easy to stay from lunch till dinner.

The other highlight is a cruise on the Chobe River for game viewing and birdwatching. The lodge had some bigger booze cruise boats. The upside is the comfort and bar service, the downside can be the noisy co-passengers. Stay a few nights and switch it up with a private boat cruise and a game drive into the Chobe National Park.