Tuesday 24th February. Maun, Botswana
This
is a very big day for us, day one of a few challenging ones that lie
ahead, as we attempt to get to the Zambezi River for our crossing into
Zambia. We know we are entering a potentially 'trip ending' period, just
9 days into this very long journey, and we are doing so against the
advice of the park rangers. But, we are prepared to take that risk,
whether it be through ignorance or just being dare devils. Personally,
this is what the trip is all about, pushing the boundaries and personal
challenge. John feels the same way. We had an early breakfast at the
Discovery B&B in Maun and we were on our way to the Moremi Game
Reserve before 9am. Arrived at South Gate at 1030 and they told us that
the road from Xakanaxa to the North gate was impassable due to a bridge
being washed away. It had been our intention to do the circuit of Moremi
via Xakanaxa and eventually arrive at North gate, near to the Khwai
camp where we were to camp tonight. We could however drive the straight
route between South & North gates, a distance of 32 kms.
We decided we’d go into Moremi anyway, drive as far as we could,
& then retrace our steps later. We had 5 hours of driving and
completed a total of 100 kms (62 miles) in that time although we did
stop for some game viewing along the way.
It
was very slow going on some changeable tracks. Sometimes wet &
muddy, other times deep and sandy. Once we got back to South gate after
those 5 hours, we headed for Khwai at the North gate. This was an easier
drive, mainly deep sand. We arrived at our camp site at 5.15 and set up
camp under the trees.
This was our first night in the
bush, previously we’d always found ourselves a bed. Setting up was
relatively straightforward although we did have a raid on our vehicle by
a baboon, within 5 minutes of stopping.
We’d arrived with the windows open
and didn’t close them while we were unpacking. I got quite a shock when
I suddenly saw it rummaging through our stuff in the front. Within
seconds, it had a pack of raisins and a pack of mints and as we chased
it away, it dropped lots of the raisins around the vehicle. It quickly
climbed a tree & ate everything it had taken and then boldly
came down and finished off the remainder that was scattered on the
ground. We realised we’d have to keep everything very secure. It then
boldly walked up & down, looking for a chance to strike again.
There would be none.
We
set everything up, tents erected, mattresses inflated, campsheet and
sleeping bag in place and also set up the braai so we could cook our
steaks. We have a 2 burner gas stove and a charcoal braai. By now we
were ready for a cold beer and all we had to do first was light the
braai. We had a gas lighter with a spare cartridge as well, but where
was it? We searched every ammo box we had and could not find it. So,no
lighter, no hot food. We had however passed other campers a few hundred
metres back so John set off to get some matches from them. He came back
with 3 boxes, clearly they had come prepared. Now we were happy campers.
We still don’t know where that lighter is, possibly back in my garage
in Somerset West. Had a great dinner and while it was cooking in the
dark, John shone his torchlight in the distance and all you could see
was about 50 pairs of eyes lit up by the torch, a few hundred metres
away. That was an amazing thing to see, all lined up like an army
waiting to advance. They were most likely baboons. They were definitely
not sharing our steak tonight. We had a great dinner, put everything
away or it wouldn’t be there in the morning and lights out at 9pm.
There was lightning in the distance so we hoped we wouldn’t get a
downpour tonight.
No comments:
Post a Comment