Botswana 2022
“We went to Central Kalahari” I told my friend the other day.” “Oh, she replied, I have also been there.”
Funny that some friends have already been where you went, even before you considered planning for the trip. “Where, I asked?” “Kgalagadi! she says” My turn – “Oh no, this is in Botswana. Close to Maun but far enough to travel for a whole day to reach your camp.” “I think we were there too.” “Which camp I ask?” “Oh, Stop challenging me! she answered.” So I let it go. They will tell us again that they have also been there. Perhaps they really have been there. Who I am I to disagree. But this is my story.
Traveling there is strenuous on the occupants and the car. I was secretly happy for a moderate breast size. Had pity on those larger ladies due to the quality of the road. Then the teeth also felt like they became looser as we drove along. At some point I wanted to climb out of the moving bakkie just to find solid ground.
Our Poppleton moment. “You know we don’t have any more Pula (Botswana currency) after we had to pay cash at the gate. For our next park trip we will have to draw more money or pay at the office in town.” “Where did all the money go? Did we not say we are goin to bring along 7000 ZAR. “No we said 7000 Botswana Pula.” “It is not the same. That is why the shortfall… See! Now we will have to go through a lot of effort to top up our cashflow.” “How did this happen?”
But then we arrive and experience the bliss of silence and containment of the camp. Even though no wood and electricity and also not fenced.
Here one can stay for a while and allow the day to guide you along as it unfolds.
Just our car and the couple whom we traveled with. That was all that stayed and watched these lions. The question now was “At what point do you leave them and drive off while they are still lying there?”
