In May 2024, Tawana Self Drive accompanied us on another trip to South Africa and Botswana. We set off with a couple of friends who had never been on this kind of trip before, and of course we made some new fans!

We started our trip gently with a visit to Khama Rhino Sanctuary, where the rhinos were waiting for us. Then we got down to business, passing through Makgadikgadi Park, where the elephants were a little nervous and it was best not to get in their way. Unfortunately, we saw the damage caused by the drought, with many animal carcasses, and the landscapes were so different from what they had been at the same time in 2019.

Julie and Vincent came to meet us when we were in Maun, and it was great to meet them. Their advice was invaluable throughout our trip.

Our trip continued in the Moremi Game Reserve, where we were lucky enough to see a hyena crossing our path at dawn (6:20 a.m.). That’s when you realize that everything happens in a matter of minutes, because if our friends hadn’t taken the wrong road at the first intersection, we wouldn’t have seen it!

At the end of the day, we came across a beautiful hippopotamus, which turned out to be a little grumpy and decided to charge the cars nearby. During our dinner at the camp, we were pleasantly surprised by a visit from a honey badger. Yes, because when there’s movement in the bushes, you never know what’s going to jump out at you, and that’s what adventure is all about!

In Savuti, we came across a magnificent lion still asleep, and later in the morning, a leopard well hidden in the bushes. It was an incredible morning! This magnificent journey continued along the Chobe River, where we were able to admire a group of sated lionesses.

Our night at the Elephant Sands camp was a timeless interlude where the proximity to the elephants (and the tame mongoose) left us with unique memories. Kubu Island was a wonderful discovery, the landscapes were breathtaking, and being alone in the world is truly magical.

In summary, it was an incredible trip, rich in emotion, and the organization with Tawana was truly excellent!

Published on: 21 August 2024