Day 1 – Entering Botswana

Up and packing before breakfast. We forgot that there was a vote for the new President of Zambia this morning so all of the shops were shut. We had breakfast in the hostel (mmm porridge!) We then eagerly awaited the driver who would take us into Botswana to join the rest of our group. The journey contained a few surprises including a boat ride across the river that forms the between Zambia and Botswana. It seemed above board – passports were stamped and some pretty hefty disease controls were in place.

After dropping another group at there house, which apparently the driver did not know existed, we were taken to a tour company. They did not know why we were there initially, but a chance meeting with our tour guides outside solved the confusion and we met the rest of our group. Along with our two guides, Gift and Joe, we were joined by another honeymooning couple from Malta, Lucienne and Aaron. They are of similar age and outlook to us and Jamie has even been to the town in which they live. They are excellent companions for our trip – we are so lucky again!

After stocking up on beer, wine and water supplies in Kasane, we set off into Chobe National Park. We were headed for a place called Serondella, where we had lunch. Jamie’s favourite – cheese and ham sandwiches! Then we set off to make camp. We stopped to see any animals that we came across along the sand road to the camp. We set up camp, lit a fire, and created a long drop toilet, before setting out on a game drive that would take us to sunset.

We saw an incredible variety of animals, giraffes, elephants, lions, ebok. Best of all we came across a leopard sat in tree next to a dead buffalo, after we had watched it sleeping in the tree for a while it suddenly climbed down and ran off. The leopard had given way to a family of lions who swooped in and started chowin down on the buffalo.

After all the fun an excitement of our first game drive we headed back to camp for a spaghetti bolognaise and chocolates baked bananas cooked on an open fire, followed by an early bed. Alarm set for 5:30am!

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