Nxai Pan National Park

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We drove to our second camp, which is located in the Nxai Pan National Park. This park is a 2 hour drive from the Kalahari Desert, and there is a bit of change in the landscape.

On the main road, we thought we had seen an incredible billboard, when all of a sudden, I said "stop the truck". Lo and behold, there was a bull elephant snacking on the side of the main road! He was around 40-45 years old, a solitary lad at that. Many bull elephants lead a solitary life. In observing the elephants, they walk on their tip toes!

My mind was racing as to what "adventures" were waiting for us.

Nxai Pan National Park lies just north of the Maun-Nata main road and adjoins the Makgadikgadi Pans National Park on the northern border. The pan itself is 15 square miles. There you will see umbrella Acacia trees and Mopane woodland. Since rainfall had been abundant, the pans became covered in grass. The wildlife is incredible! We saw Cheetah (from the distance); Giraffe; Lions; Oryx; Impala; Zebra; Ostrich; Black Back Jackal; Vultures;

Livingstone passed this way during the middle of the 19th century, and this route became important in trading. In 1861, Thomas Baines painted an unusual group of Baobab trees, which became the "Baines Baobabs". It is rare to see these trees so close together. Baines named the painting "The Sleeping Five".

Our first night out at Nxai Pan, we saw the Milky Way - no, not the candy bar! I don't think I had seen an incredible amount of stars since I was a child! It really did take my breath away. I realized what I had been missing out, over the years.

Our campsite was portable, which consisted of 3X3 domed tents. Our "loo" was outside (surrounded by tarp for privacy). A shower was available, but it was bucket showers. Use 1/2 bucket to rinse off; lather with soap; then rinse off with the remainder of water. This camp was the most "primitive" of our camps. I love to camp, but when it comes to potty facilities, I do have to have a toilet or some sort of porta-potty. I wasn't too keen on "bush" breaks, but yes, you do manage to have a "break" or two.

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Photos

Condo in the bush
This termite "condo" was quite incredible.

Poster boy
This is the "real" thing here. I was in awe seeing an elephant snacking off the main road (paved road).

Male Ostrich
He's a beauty! I can imagine using some of his feathers for dusting.

Female Ostrich
She blended in quite well. It is amazing with birds how the males are more colorful.

Oryx
I thought one of these were going to be "toast" as there were 3 lions watching every move. It was their lucky day, the lions were asleep at the wheel.

Girls Night Out
Our first sighting of lions. They must've eaten earlier as they weren't too interested in the Oryx.

Bath time
Look Ma, I've got big feet! The lions took turns bathing each other.

Jackal
Black Back Jackal. I thought about "The Day of the Jackal".

Sundowner Time
Time for a "sundowner". Sunsets are incredible. We did break out the bubbly.

Time for chow
Seems there is always a Vulture waiting in the wings.

Happy hour
Zebra - having their own happy hour.

Impala
Male Impala checking us out.

Home in Nxai Pan
Home - sweet home!

Primitive bath
Shower & loo facilities. Bucket showers take a bit of getting use to.

Last night in Nxai Pan
Our own personal sundowner! Cheers!

Beauty of the pans
Baines Baobab - in the distance!

Baines Baobab
Baines Baobab - this picture doesn't do these trees justice.

Comments

[Alan Critchlow]

Impala?
Karen, hi! I enjoyed your photos. However, the fact that the male impala was "checking you out!" was probably because he was thinking "Do you mind? We springboks can be quite touchy you know!" Several years ago I camped at Baines Baobabs and the setting with the moonlight over the pan was amazing! Best wishes, Alan

[Ksue44]

Thank you!
Goodness, forgive me - I haven't checked out my comments. Alan, I so throughly enjoyed my safari to Botswana. Two scary moments: when Mama lion sat next to our Range Rover (I could've patted her); and when I thought one of the male bull elephants were going to charge us. The stars, the moon, everything was so awesome. Timing was perfect. We did have an Impala jump over the hood of our Range Rover. I enjoy sharing my pics - they are a labor of love!