Zebula and Joburg

Friday 4 June to Tuesday 15 June

Lockdown Day 435 to 446

What a treat to end an epic 6 week camping Safari at Zebula. Tracey, Robyn, Denise and Steve joined us too. The chilly weather shocked us a bit after so many weeks of balmy sunshine and mild, clear evenings.

I did manage to sort out everything in the caravan and the cruiser and get the laundry done.

On Wednesday 9th, we returned to Johannesburg for a week with the family, vehicle services, banking and admin, shopping and planning and booking the next trip. Tracy and I painted rocks and Neil set up a Facebook page called "Tracy Travel Rocks." I am going leave them around on my travels and I hope those who find them will check in on the page.

Safari 2021:Elephant Sands and Molema Bush Camp, Tuli, Botswana

Tuesday 1 June to Thursday 3 June

Lockdown Day 432 to 434

It's a short trip from Kasane to Elephant Sands Lodge, which is 50kms North of Nata. We spent a lazy afternoon on the deck watching the elephants at the waterhole. I had hoped to get a bit of admin done but their WiFi wasn't working. It was a fairly early start for the long drive down to Selibwe Phikwe. We had our PCR tests at the mine hospital and got to Molema Bush Camp in Northern Tuli just before dark. Camp manager Lilian rushed us over to see a dead impala that had just been killed by a leopard in the campsite. The leopard had been scared off it's prey when the other guests had arrived a few minutes before us. Needless to say we made use of all our spotlights and stayed close to our fire all evening. Before our early morning game drive the next day we looked for the carcass but all that we saw was some blood and fur on the ground. We don't know if the leopard got his meal back or if the impala was finished off by hyeneas.

Game was pretty scarce on the drive too.

The shady treed campsites - only 4 and 5 are on the river - lend themselves to a good "kuier". We all chipped in to cook an epic four course meal and prepare jaffles for tomorrow's journey. The lodge managed to get out PCR reports printed. Heading for the border we decided to take the "scenic" short-cut ( not ) through the Tuli Block to the Groblersbrug Border Post.

Safari 2021: Chobe Safari Lodge, Botswana

Friday 28 May to Monday 31 May

Lockdown Day 428 to 431

Crossing the Ngoma Border into Botswana was easy. We had valid negative PCRs but were subjected to an extra rapid flow test at the border. Luckily Kasane is not too far and we were ensconced in campsite 12 before 2pm. There are only 2 sites with river views and 13 is a bit smaller.

Johan and Ronell had head off to Maun for 2 nights on business. We had sunset drinks at the bar on the deck. Camping guests have use of the lodge facilities.

We made Bobotie in enamel cups in the potjie pot on the fire. Saturday we enjoyed a lazy morning. In the afternoon we did a boat cruise on the Chobe River. We chose a private boat with guide Mandela whom we had flagged down and negotiated with from the deck the evening before. He turned out to be really good. Here's his number of you ever need a guide on the Chobe River. +267 75 817 000.

I recommend taking a boat for just your own group over the bigger boats at the lodges especially if you are keen on birdwatching or photography and bringing your own wine.

Chobe NP by boat is still one of my all time favourite things to do. The birdlife is so plentiful and watching the ellies and hippos is just delightful. Not to mention the gorgeous sunsets.

On Sunday morning we did a game drive in Chobe NP. 

The game is plentiful. Ronell and Johan returned and Neil and I accompanied them on an even more beautiful sunset cruise with Mandela. Monday we took another trip into Chobe NP.

I'll let the photos tell the rest of the story; it's too beautiful for words! Credit to Johan and Hanli for a few of the pics.

Safari 2021: Namwi Island, Katima Mulilo, Caprivi, Namibia

Wednesday 26 May to Thursday 27 May

Lockdown Day 426 to 427

We only had a couple of hours driving East to Katima Mulilo. After setting up camp at Namwi Island Campsite, we headed back into town for PCR tests.

The campsite is situated on the Zambezi River. On Thursday we had a lazy morning bird watching in camp. The rare Schalow's Turaco is resident here. Of course we are still having fun cooking up a storm each evening. I really should be putting all our recipes on my "WeCookAnywhere" blog but there's just not time! 

In the afternoon we did another boat trip; this time on the Zambezi River. For boat trips call Kurt - 081 129 2811. The fish weren't biting but it was great to be out on the water. Armed with negative PCRs, we are ready to cross the border tomorrow.