We loved the bustling atmosphere in Maun and after a few wrong turns we eventually found the office for the Khwai Development Trust and confirmed our booking.
The streets of Maun were very busy. Maun is the major stocking up point for most safaris and is full of overlanders. We left Maun and headed towards Moremi and our next destination. We stopped for firewood and a lovely lady soon came out to greet us. There are loads of places to find firewood and the local people supplement their incomes by collecting it and then selling it to travellers. You are not allowed to pick firewood up in the game reserves, so the wood sellers on the roads to the game reserves do a good trade. Usually there is a sign and a mobile number by the piles of wood so you can pay. This poor lady had been in the shower when we stopped and came out wrapped in her towel with two small children in tow. Everyone we met in Botswana was so friendly and helpful. Harry loaded the bakkie with enough firewood for a few days.
Moremi Game Reserve covers about one third of the Okavango Delta and is known as one of the top wild life destinations in Africa. It is an area of swamp land with seasonal salt pans and rivers. October and November is a good time for game viewing. As Botswana had been very dry this year we were able to get around relatively easy in our 4X4 although I guess we were facing the most interesting driving conditions. We were heading for the Xakanaxa Camp via the corrugated road, which consisted of very soft sand ridges, we did not need to deflate our tyres but Harry was heavier so did his. Loads of game sightings on our way!
It's amazing how difficult game is to spot, sometimes animals are right at the side of the road and you can drive past without spotting them the camouflage is so good.
It was here, we also spotted our first hippo, unusually walking about and grazing during the day. Strange how such a placid looking animal is also one of the most dangerous in the wild and kills the most people. Beware those cute little ears and beady eyes.
The trip through Moremi was a challenging one, with a few rivers to cross on some very dodgy looking bridges. Harry went first but our excuse was that he was more experienced than us.
Harry made it across the bridge, so we would too, he was heavier. No lunch for the crocodiles today.
We finally arrived at our camp site in Xakanaxa which was much more civilised than expected, with a proper toilet block, running water and very clean...bliss! We pitched under the trees, Harry pointed out the sausage tree ( Kigelia africana) Never sit under a sausage tree the fruit could kill you...it's heavy!!
The next morning we set off for a game drive. Loads of elllies around!
Dead and alive. Never touch the skeleton of an elephant it carries anthrax.
Moremi is a beautiful place and at every turn, there were photo opportunities. The trees were fabulous, where elephants had been they took on the look of a sci-fi set.
Moremi was certainly the place for game spotting.
Harry wanted to visit Dead Tree Island, where he had been as a boy with his Dad. We eventually found it and what a mystical place it was! The Mopane trees were petrified from the elephants but it was just as he remembered it, how he actually found it was also a mystery.
Our next bit of excitement was the water crossing, I think we were so lucky it had been so dry.
Moremi is beautiful, but can strike hard on the unprepared. Everything you need you carry and breakdown can be dangerous. We came across a young Dutch couple who had been stuck in the sand for a couple of hours. Another car had stopped to help but couldn't budge it. Harry towed them out.
I guess one of the highlights of our trip had to be seeing the African Wild Dogs. We rounded a corner and there they were basking in the sun under a tree. A whole pack of them including pups. How lucky we were!
The African Wild Dogs were in beautiful condition, I don't think I wanted to be any nearer though. A very fruitful day of game viewing followed.
Finally we made it back to our second camp stop after a very full day.
Part 4 to follow.
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