Off to Botswana

Trip Start Jul 09, 2008
1
6
20
Trip End Jul 30, 2008


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Where I stayed
Drotsky's Campsite
(Shakawe hotels)

Flag of Botswana  ,
Monday, July 14, 2008

Today we were to cross the border into Botswana for the first time. The border crossing was fairly straightforward although we managed to lose the bag full of torches during the veterinary checks for foot and mouth when we had to remove all our bags to let them check our fridge. The road to Shakawe was incredibly sandy until we reached the tar road. However this was almost more dangerous as instead of cattle we had 'kamikase' donkeys wandering out in front of the car. What was it with all these death wish livestock?
Shakawe is a large fishing village east of the main road and on the northern banks of the Panhandle and we would be staying at Drotsky's Campsite about 8km out of the town. To get there we turned down a sandy track off the main tar road and saw our first monkeys, a band of Vervets playing by the roadside.
Eventually we arrived at Drotsky's Campsite set high up on the banks of the Okavango River. Drotsky's Campsite is owned by Jan and Eileen Drotsky and there is a friendly feel to it. This area is known as the pan-handle as it is shaped very much like a frying pan with the main river flowing down its handle. Our campsite was not one of the best as the view of the river was poor but a short walk down to the restaurant took you out onto the main riverside and afforded lovely views. We decided that a decent meal was in order and ate the buffet at the restaurant. Although we could not see them the air was punctuated with the honks of hippos and this carried on for most of the night. The bird life was excellent here with little bee-eaters, crimson breasted rollers and other birds prevalent along the papyrus covered banks. The gardens were lovely filled with succulents, cacti and banana trees. 


 
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