Botswana Wild Days 5 & 6 - Oct 2 & 3

---

Off to Botswana

We left Heathrow after a hectic taxi drive from Camden at Leanne and Brad's home. It only took 45 minutes but the route as difficult to remember. The flight was 11 hours of not much sleep - our neighbours all around in a constant fit of coughing. But no residual cold or worse - so far.

Then a beautiful flight in a bright turbo prop with smart looking attendants. Then we found taxi after being challenged by no phones at the airport and arrived at our home for the next 4 days - Old Bridge Backpackers camp. Our tent was large, mosquito-proof and has an ensuite. We look out on the river but no hippos as the river is high and they have moved upstream. Compensated by lots of birds to see, photo and hear at night.

Everyone else here is more seasoned than us - they check their email using a wireless connection around the open air bar. Some light rain kept us under cover for dinner then off to bed to recover from the flight - but not to sleep. Backpackers is a favorite hot spot with great music and all the drink you want - so finally to sleep at midnight to the sound of MANY LOUD frogs.

---

Photos

Heathrow check in
Ready to go with our duffle bags packed.

Our British Airways plane.
Smooth & comfy 747.

Acacia thorn
There were all kinds of acacias in Botswana, all with incredibly long thorns.

Backpackers
Main building with the bar and restaurant.

Backpackers
Private fencing around our tent.

Thamalakane River
Very full of water, something we didn't expect. It was dry until 2005. Now it is a major waterway for getting to and from the Okavango Delta.

Thamalakane River
Lounging on the river bank, watching all the birds.

Comments

[anonymous]

Ahh....safe in Botswana! Hope your hippos show up on the trip - they would be most fascinating!! I'm trying to imagine an ensuite in a tent and realize it's probably not as fancy as Shoreline, but highly appreciated! Hope you gets lots of sleep. We're in Quebec City for the next six days, but look forward to checking your blog again whenever possible. Judy

[Jim]

Pictures
Looking forward to the pics. How long are you going to be there?