THIS IS WILD LIFE!

We would like to thank you for your support and professionalism during our self-drive trip to Botswana.

First of all, we couldn’t be happier to have been completely immersed in nature among wild animals for three weeks! It was another wonderful experience for us, with great encounters and more than 700 photos to sort through!

The first few days in the Central Kalahari allowed us to observe the local wildlife right away, with the chance to encounter a mother cheetah and her two cubs at 7 a.m. at the Motopi waterhole. Between campsites, along the trails, we saw kudus, giraffes, oryx, springboks, and, of course, elephants! A feast for the eyes, an indescribable joy, and we couldn’t help but be dazzled by these scenes of animal life!

The following days, in the equally exceptional Makgadikgadi Park, we woke up in the morning wondering what animals we would be lucky enough to see, and then we felt as if we were outside of time, living to the rhythm of the rising sun, offering magnificent views of nature. At sunset, we listened carefully, as the big cats are never far away… And there, we fill ourselves with calm and serenity, nourishing our minds with the sounds of the animal world: birdsong, the sound of the wind in the trees, the roar of lions… During the day, herds of zebras, wildebeests, and antelopes occupy the wide open spaces of the pans.

In Nxai, what a pleasure it is to feel alone in the world, always alert and aware of being among wild animals! The Baines baobabs are still there, as majestic as ever, offering a magnificent panorama in front of the pan!

We arrive at South Camp for our next evening, our settling in disrupted by a big storm. The camp is flooded… The vagaries of the weather in November, but no matter, it didn’t stop us from sleeping!

From track to track, every day brings the same wonder at this wild nature that offers us so many beautiful scenes of animal life.

What can we say about the next camp? Quite comfortable when you think of the CKGR campsites, Senyati has come a long way since 2019! A newly built pizza oven, and the bar now offers food, provided you order in advance at reception. The bunker is perfect for watching the comings and goings of the elephant herds at the waterhole.

The Chobe River Front awaits us: it’s an opportunity to observe herds of elephants, zebras, and buffalo in large numbers. A heartbreaking scene between a baboon mother and a jackal that has just snatched her baby… Further away, well sheltered under a thorny bush, a lioness is taking a nap!

At Khwai, Mbudi campsite: pure bliss, a paradise by the river with breathtaking views of hippos! An early morning mokoro ride on the river to get up close to the hippos and other animals coming to drink. Very enjoyable! At the end of the day, a herd of elephants invited themselves onto our campsite while we were sitting quietly… We remained silent, without moving, observing the fascinating behavior of these pachyderms. They were 5 meters away from us, looked at us, and then went off to drink! An intensely emotional moment!

We spent some wonderful days in Moremi between Third Bridge and South Gate, on sandy tracks and across its picturesque bridges. We were constantly amazed by the landscapes and the ever-present wildlife, including a hyena at our camp! We left Moremi for Maun, and once again had the chance to observe elephants, wildebeests, and zebras at a watering hole.

What wonderful moments we experienced! We thank you for contributing to our happiness during these three weeks. The information and documents are very accurate, and the maps and numerous details highlighted in the roadmap are very useful. Self-driving in Botswana then becomes (almost) child’s play, or at least accessible to everyone, as long as you follow the instructions and don’t disturb the animals!

Thank you both, and see you soon for another self-drive experience!

Published on: 11 January 2024