Elephant Ears and Newbies

[Twigga]

Always great so see another part of beautiful Africa!

[Flutterby]

Like you pics.

[Amoli]

Would love to hear of your trip.

[PRWIN]

great shots Moggie, that sunset shot of the rhino and dust is lovely

[nan]

the picture of the Rhinos in the sun's dust is and Zebras in a row too

[Moggiedog]

Thanks guys. I am surprised anything came out as the pics were taken through a very dirty windscreen. :)

[Bushveld Jock]

Hi Moggiedog,

I am reading your TT with great interest as I am one of those crazies going to Botswana in less than 4 months time. Hope you can give me lots of advice on places to visit and avoid.

Lovely shots of the rhinos at Khama Rhino park and can't wait for the Kubu adventure. I've read that Nata lodge is currently closed due to flooding and Makgadigadi pan a lake.

Where did you enter? I am thinking of trying out Zanzibar or Stockpoort one of the smaller border post. Our first stop will be Nata so we don't want to waste too much time going through border procedures. My quickest entry was at Mohemba, but I hear Martins drift can take lots of time.

[Richprins]

I think that is Martin's Drift?

Love seeing Khama in the winter, Moggie! Was there in Summer once! It is indeed great!


Fantastic pics!

Interesting the name changes to the Dams!

[Moggiedog]

RP - you are correct we did go in through Martins Drift. Coming home we went through Parrs Halt - we were the only vehicles at the border and took us a max of ten minutes. Going in at Martins Drift was under half an hour for all four vehicles to get through - but it can get very busy.

Bushveld Jock - I am positive you going to have a wonderful time. Hopefully the pans will have dried out by the time you go. Kubu Island is a must see. Have you been to Bots before? I have been in both summer (December), spring Autumn and winter - each season has its own problems depending on the rains.

[Moggiedog]

Our route to Kubu was via Letlhakane and Mmatshumo a distance of about 328 kilometers. Now this seems comparatively simple until you see the roads spider webbing across in front of you. This is were tracks for africa is a wonderful addition to your navigation devices. Newbie and I did not have tracks for africa - just the gewoner maps for the GPS.
At Lethakane we parked under some trees whilst the group leader and Newbie popped off to collect our permits and reservations for Kubu.

This gave my sister and I a chance to catch up without other people around us.
The collection of paper work was painless and we were soon back on the road. Newbie and I laughing, talking and singing (me-croaking) along to ridiculous cd's we were playing and generally enjoying each others company.
A sign board had us both in fits of laughter. Newbie is as sharp as a tack and a sense of humor second to none. Many a times we would be doubled up gasping for breath as we egged each other on with stupid and irrelevant comments.

We never did see the adventure camp - but we did see a big empty cement "swimming pool" - whether or not this is an existing adventure camp or not I have no idea. The thought of a swimming pool or a cold shower was a dream beyond our reach at this stage.

Newbie kept asking me to describe the pans. I told him to be patient we would soon see them. I know he had seen pictures - he had heard about them often enough - but nothing can prepare you for the reality. If you have never seen the pans - you cannot imagine the magnitude and the impact a vast nothingness has on you. On the far horizon majestic palm trees reach for the clouds - but as you get closer your realize they are purely a figment of your imagination. I was curious to see whether he saw the palm tree mirages in the distance. I do know I am not the only one who has seen them!

After wending our way along the chosen "road" by our intrepid leader - at last - the pans were in sight. It took a few moments for Newbie to realize I was no joking when I said the pans were in view.

We slowly made our way down onto the actual pans and stopped to take in and try and absorb the history and atmosphere of the moment. Was definitely a time to stretch our legs and have brunch.



Time to move on and find our way to Kubu Island.