7/5 -- Go to Botswana

We flew to Zimbabwe, met our trip leader, Samantha, and headed off in a bus to our camp on the northern border of Botswana near Chobe National Park. Just across the Chobe River is a finger of Namibia. The camp is surrounded by baobob trees which are really succulents, not trees. A large one was made into a jail for a short time in early Botswana, which gained their independence in the mid-60s. It had been a British Protectorate that did not add anything to the British economy, so the Brits were quite cooperative when they asked to be cut loose. Shortly after the ink dried on the separation papers, diamonds were found and Botswana's economy is reasonably good now. There are some who suspect the diamonds had been found earlier but kept secret.

As we neared Kasane (close to our camp), pack of wild dogs appeared and crossed the road. It is illegal here to stop on the road and take pictures, but perfectly acceptable to not hit wildlife, so we were only too glad to obey the "don't hit" rule. There were 10 of them and they kept recrossing the road. While we waited, two cars passed us slowly and in both cases, the passengers were photographing the dogs too. They are now called Painted Dogs and are quite rare. Samantha was beside herself with joy that we got to see a pack.

Painted dog

There are 9 tent cabins with ensuite bath here. Ours overlooks a watering hole and has a lovely balcony. In the evening, housekeeping closes all the screens, except a huge one on the front, to improve the warmth and adds hot water bottles to the bed.

Our cabin is on the left.

Sunset from the camp. Across the river is Namibia.