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Blogs from Botswana, Africa
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My EXTREMELY late post about the Magical Land of Botswana
Published: April 7th 2013Africa » Botswana » Southern » Kanye
April 7th 2013
I've put off writing this entry as I've had a hard time finding the perfect way to describe my time spent in the African bush of Southern Botswana. Where do I even begin? Do I start with the ever-present sounds of monkeys and birds, the smell of dead elephants, or the sunsets that truly took my breath away? Some of the aspects are amazing, some are less than desirable, but they mixed together to form a priceless week. I left Botswana feeling accomplished, proud, at peace, and completely unready for my time to be over. But I suppose the best place to start is, in fact, the beginning. We arrived at the teeny airport of Polokwane in the afternoon of November 30th. In typical African style, our driver was MIA upon our arrival, but we targeted ... read more
Day 6-7...Chobe National Park
Published: March 25th 2013Africa » Botswana » North-West » Chobe National Park
March 12th 2013
Today we traveled from Maun to Chobe National Park. We were supposed to get in early but we encountered a flat on the way, which probably took way longer than it should have to fix but there are just somethings that you cannot control. Needless to say, this hiccup costs us a sunset cruise on the Chobe River (it was made up the following day). So we drove for assistance. While we waited for them to fix the flat a few of us played cards. I learned a new game. I am still deciding if it was made up by the Aussie's or if it was a real game. Amanda from Austrailia-complained, complained, complained. Complained about it being too hot. Complained about getting a flat. Complained about it taking long. Complained about being hungry. Complained about ... read more
March 9th 2013
After the night at Khama Rhino Sanctuary, we drove to Maun. In the town of Maun, we stocked up on food, snacks, and alcohol (though I did not pick up any alcohol due to the weather/heat). Right outside of town we camped at a hotel. The hotel was nice but I did not upgrade to a room, I remained faithful and tented it. Here we had internet connection, a pool (though not one I would swim in), and for the evening, we ate at the buffet. In the morning, we packed up our tents and supplies and headed about 40 minutes via 4WD vehicle to water. We basically drove to the Delta edge. Here we met Okavango Polers (Key, Judge, Morgan, Bryan, Candy, Nikole, there were a couple of others), we hopped into our dugout canoe ... read more
March 8th 2013
After a number of hours driving, we cross the border into Botswana. At the border we crossed Limpopo River, where we were greeted by a monkey on the other side of the fence. As an American I did not need a visa. I don't think any of the people on the group did. So it was pretty easy and quick. It was my second stamp in my passport. :-) At the end of the long drive, we arrived at the Khama Rhino Sanctuary located in Serowe. The Sanctuary helps protect the wildlife, especially Rhinos from poaching. There are many Poaching lookout platforms throughout the Sanctuary. It was established in 1992 and lays on the Kalarahi. We arrived when it was pouring rain but still managed to go on the game drive. I am still not confident ... read more
Camping Safari: Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe), Botswana and northern South Africa
Published: January 25th 2013Africa » Botswana
January 23rd 2013
What an adventure! From January 6-18, Tom and I were down in the southern hemisphere of Africa, "overlanding" with Africa Travel Company (ATC) from Vic Falls to Jo'burg--meaning we travelled in a 23-passenger truck, pitched and slept in tents (often in the rain because it was the rainy season down there), and ate outdoors, helping the cook and cleaning up afterwards. The other members of the group were mostly young Aussies and New Zealanders who'd actually started in Nairobi and gone through Tanzania and Malawi. Our guide was a Belgian; the driver and cook were South African. ATC provided the transport, the food, and the tents; we brought along our own sleeping bags and air mattresses. We began our journey in Paris on January 4th, flying to Heathrow to catch our overnight British Airways flight to ... read more
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December 29th 2012
Nikki and I made our way to the border and then caught a ferry across to Botswana. Here we were greeted by the friendliest immigration staff i've ever met. They were laughing and wishing us a merry xmas and really lifted our spirits after what was a long day. The taxi driver too was one of the nicest people I've ever met. He had cool local beats playing in his car and was just relatively chilled out. Botswana was making a great first impression. On our way to our campsite in Kasane, Botswana we passed many wild boar just sitting by the road. It was like seeing heaps of pumbas from the lion king just grazing on the side of the road or near the local bank, for a second I felt like I was in ... read more
November 29th 2012
Botswana: The most animals can be seen is in Botswana because the weather is warmer here and the animals like to stay in the warm weather. O day co national park lon nhat Botswana goi Chobe. Chobe nho hon Kruger park o South Africa nhung co nhieu thu hon vi Chobe nam ve phia South nen khi hao am hon thich hop cho thu vung nay.... read more
A few lazy days in Botswana.
Published: November 29th 2012Africa » Botswana » North-West » Okavango Delta
November 13th 2012
We arrived in Botswana and I smugly watched everyone else join the long line at the ATM or bureau to purchase Pula’s, I had already purchased local currency in Brussels a few months prior. I am so clever, so prepared. As I sauntered past I collected a few items from the store and handed over my cash, ‘No’. Ahhhh… excuse me? I was rather taken back by this rude cashier. She waved my money in my face ‘no, dez ez old Botswana Pula, you need’a new Botswana Pula, see?’ she showed me the new note, slightly smaller in size with a different face smiling back at me. Foolishly arguing with the cashier I told her that she must be mistaken, of course the tourist knew the correct money, this local woman must be was wrong….. It ... read more
November 1st 2012
still experimenting, this is supposed to be easy, but so far..... two more days before I leave... read more
Safari in Botswana (& Namibia)
Published: November 15th 2012Africa » Botswana » North-West » Chobe National Park
October 19th 2012
It's our last full day of our trip... we are both incredibly sad about that and do not want to go home at all :( We went to Botswana for an all day safari (both boating and driving) in Chobe... we crossed over to Namibia so have now visited 5 countries this trip. Lucky was our guide, and on the boat ride we came to the only place in the world where you can see 4 countries (4 corners): Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Namibia. Botswana's main industries are beef, tourism, and mining. Because of the beef, we had to "clean" our shoes as we walked over the border. In the morning, we did a boat safari down the Chobe river. Botswana was on one side, Namibia on the other - they had a fight over the island ... read more
