Vic Falls, we've arrived :-)))

We left Cape Town 3 weeks ago today. This journey has been awesome. Over 5000km done and camping all except one night. When we first started talking about this trip we thought we'd split our time between B&B's and camping but as we've gone along we just got into the hang of camping, the lifestyle and adventure. We've slept at the most awesome camp sites right on the rivers edge, been close up with hippos, Ellie's and other wild animals had great laughs and met some fantastic people along the way.

Now we get to spend 5 nights in the Elephant Hills hotel at Vic Falls with very special friends John and Sally with whom we went to Lalibella with a few years ago. It's always such a pleasure and so much fun with great friends. We all played golf today and shared the course with many warthogs, buck and even a python. Thankfully it hung around for the four ball ahead of us but moved on when we got there. 

Dave, John and Sally are doing the Vic Falls marathon tomorrow and I wish them all the very best for a great run. Looking forward to a big social afterwards and those pics will follow. 

These pics were taken just before the water cascades over the edge called Vic falls. I'll be taking lots of pis over the next few days. 

Senyati Safari camp in Botswana

There's just something so special about a trip like this with very little agenda. Camping with like minded people and chatting about where they've been and what we ourselves have done and swopping ideas and advise. We were given a great recommendation to go to Senyati in Botswana. Now this was just awesome camping in an area where there are no fences. Elephants, giraffes and buck come to a water hole about 20 meters from you. Lions roaring as the sun goes down, free fire wood, bonus!!! We were invited to have drinks with owners Louw and Lulu later in the evening as they sat outside at their dining room table next to the water hole. The even had hot coals in a drum under the table, very organized wow. I snuck off to bed at about 10 and an hour later was woken by Dave saying that the owners were taking us on our very own private game drive, however I graciously declined but Dave had a ball.  If ever you get a chance to camp here, it's a must. We had our own ablutions, kitchen etc. Here are some pics :-))

This is a genius idea to keep your legs warm. Just fill with coals after you've finished braaing.

They have a bunker that comes up right next to the water hole, no zoom required. 

Still in the Caprivi, Kalizo

I've been waiting for a couple of days to tell you this story but didn't want to jump the gun. So after leaving Ngepi we made our way to the Great Zambezi River. To a place called Kalezo Fishing Camp. As Dave's running the marathon at Vic Falls on Sunday he needed to get some milage in so I had to drop him off 13 km from camp and he would meet me there and hopefully I would have the camp all set up or close to set up as possible. Off I go and a bit further the turning I need to take is a winding jeep type track. Suddenly I come across some very thick sand and no time to engage the diff lock so ..... Bam I'm stuck. I walked back to see the sign and make sure I was on the right road, sure enough I was and right next to where I stopped was a little village with very friendly people that were happy to watch me in my precarious position. Thankfully a little while later another vehicle comes careering around the bend but not expecting me to be stopped right in the middle of the track, just managed to miss my rear end. There were three black men in the Bakkie and I know it's not politically correct to say this but I was on my own and more than a little worried. They passed me and stopped a little way further, got out the car and I thought this was the end of me until they came up to me and showed me how to drive a 2x4 in 4x4 territory. They gave me a push and after getting stuck one more time were every happy to oblige me again. Then they told me to follow them as we had to make our way through some deep water. My heart was jumping out my chest but I put foot and hoped for the best, which happened as I didn't get stuck again. They then left me as I had to go in another direction but after getting through the water, I knew if it could be done it would. It did cross my mind that Dave wouldn't believe I had driven through there and he was pleasantly surprised. All this just adds to the adventure..

Dave off on his run

Playing in the sand with a 2x 4

The great guys that helped me

Room with a view :-))

Female (left) and Male (right) Pied Kingfishers

White breasted Bee Eaters

Ngepi Camp on Okavango

 Best I play catch up first before I go any further. A couple of days ago we stayed at an amazing spot called Ingepi on the Okovango River. The owner has a sense of humor second to none. There were loads of hippo very close to us needless to say I was very happy to be on the roof lol

A long drop doesn't have to go down under the ground :-)

Safe way to swim in a River full of croc's and hippos 

Ok ok a few more..... ;-)

Just a few pics for now :-))

We saw them all in Etosha....

Taking time out with my new iPad seems a sacraledge in these beautiful surroundings so what better way to update your blog than sitting on the side of the Okovango River at Ngepi Camp site with a Savanah and the Fish Eagles calling out over the water.

We entered Etosha 4 days ago on the very West side not too far from the Dolomite camp and made our way to Okekeujo the first night, then Halali and Namotoni last night. The first night we were warned about jackles in the camp at night and true to their word there were a couple that were keen on any left overs you may forget to pack away. 

The second night was one for the books for sure, no jackles just cute little Honey Badgers........ We were warned so we duly packed everything in the tent that night except for a couple of sealed containers like the fridge and a small box. Well........ at about midnight we hear a commotion outside, Dave looks out the window and we have visitors. Dave bangs on the tent and as true as bob the fridge is on its side, so he glides down the steps in one fell swoop, in his birthday suite. By this time our neibour Peter is also out and the pair of them after not one but two cute Honey Badgers. They had opened the fridge and after Dave nearly bliksemming them they were off with the Lurpak butter, not the open one that was nearly finished but the new one. Great to laugh after when thinking about Davie Crockett and the Honey Badger.

Here are a few pics from Etosha, will post more later though

Cheers from the still married, though barely sometimes ha ha ha ;-) Happy Campers

Update from Swakop to Etosha

Once again no data connection for a few days but not a train smash. Loving the peace and adventure :-) We played golf in Swakop the day before leaving but after golf had to ruch to dinner in time to see a pearla of a sunset. It's not often you come across a grass golf course in the middle of a desert. Sometimes the scenery far outweighs the golf especially when you're playing really badly :-))

We stayed on a farm 58km from the west side of Etosha then mozied on into Etosha this morning and had a 200 plus km drive through Etosha to our camp tonight at Okaukuejo. 

Here are some pics from the past 2 days.

This was our campsite at Alta Burke in Swakopmund. Thanks John and Sally for all your guidance and advise.. We had our own bathroom :-)

The Rossmund Golf course in Swakop

A great diversion from golf lol

Why we had to rush to make our dinner reservation on time :-)))

We have clocked over 3000km so far....

Some call it madness, but Dave is training for a marathon at Vic Falls on the 29th so on go the running shoes. Someone had to drive, shit job but hey had to be done :-)))

Everyone deserves a treat

Camping on a farm just outside Etosha to get an early start today..

I'll leave the animals for a new blog as a bit unsociable ha ha ha ;-) 

Night night