So back in the day when I was growing up (probably around 6) my mom used to scare me by saying certain things.  Like "oh who knows how long we will in live in Vancouver, I think that we might move to Botswana!". Being a little rambunctious I would respond in kind "No we are not moving to Botswana!" Not even knowing where Botswana was I preceded to look it up in an atlas, and finding it in the middle of Southern Africa, I reiterated even more, "there is no way we are moving to Botswana".  One of those small things from childhood that I have always remembered.  For that reason it felt kind of cool visiting a far away place that I have always known about, but had no plans on living in, at that time...

 

After our border crossing ferry ride we bused into Kasane and scored big on the accomodations at Chobe Safari Lodge. The place was beautiful, situated right next to Chobe River and overlooking the National Park.  We were able to camp for a reasonable price and had the added bonus of using all the higher end facilities. We had the added bonus of falling asleep to sounds of hippos as they grazed on the nearby river bank grasses. We took it easy for a few days there, went on a sunset boat trip to see some wildlife which included at least 50 elephants, antelope, monkeys, crocodiles and more hippos. 

Early the next morning we made our way into town to catch a bus to Maun but happen to miss the bus and ended up hitching a ride (from the local hitching spot) on the back of a pickup truck to Nata. We managed to get off our ride and hop on a Maun bound bus, just when we were starting to crisp from the blazing sun.  

Maun is a small town located just outside the world famous Okavango Delta, which in the wet season can include a flood plain of up to 16,000 square kilometers. We found a really laid back backpackers hostel overlooking an empty hippo pool. We ran into a few people we met in Livingstone, Zambia, and were able to book a 3 day camping trip with them to the Okavango Delta. It was good taking a break from the 24/7 couple interaction and changing up the conversation partners.  We had a blast hanging out with everyone, cooking meals over the fire, playing cards, shooting the ****...

I particularly loved the Okavango mode of transportation. I cant imagine a better way to travel than to be pushed along (by someone else) in a small hand dug out canoe called a mokoro. Using a only a wooden pole to steer, we glided serenely across the water, listening to the quiet rustle of the reeds as they brushed by the boat. It felt like the most peaceful way to travel and it is something that I will never forget. 

Everyday we went on a few bush walks, mokoro rides, tried our hands at driving the mokoros, and took a few dips in the river. On our first dusk walk, we had a scary encounter with a herd of male elephants (called a bachelor herd). We were within maybe 50 meters from the herd when they turned and headed our way. We had to move quickly and hide in a nearby bush area. Dam they move fast! Luckily their eyesight isn't very good and are not able to see us very well if we are not moving, so we held our breath and tried to stay still as they walked by 15 meters away. One of the bigger ones turned and took a threatening look at us because we shifted a little bit, and our guide quietly said "stay still!!"  We sighed with relief as they all continued on their way. After that experience I was happy to stay clear of anymore elephants!

To get back to our hostel in Maun we had to take a motor boat ride, from the Delta.  As we were heading back we got stuck in a thunderstorm. It did not feel too safe driving down the river in our aluminum boat seemingly getting closer to the lighting that was striking in front of us not too far away.  We eventually made it back in one piece and without any shocking experiences.

After a week in Botswana, we took a bus into Garbarone, from Maun, to spend the night. Just as we were concluding how safe it had felt travelling in Africa and with few unpleasant experiences, we of course run into one. Levi and I, the only two white people on the bus got approached by a somewhat drunk, supposedly undercover police officer. He was asking to see our passports, only ours, and showed us a somewhat fake looking police ID, which didn't even look like him!  Telling us that he was conducting an investigation.  Not feeling too threatened by the situation we obviously had no intention of giving him our passports. Levi proceeded to argue with the guy about why he wanted and needed to see them. After what seemed like forever, the man started yelling in Levi's face and I coudln't take it anymore and told him off. He eventually left us alone and went off to find someone else to pester. Not the best way to end our trip in Botswana, but it did not take away from our experiences there.

From Gabarone we made our way into South Africa for our flight that was a few days away.  You know you are in South Africa when you get off the bus and are walking to hop on another, and the guy leading you is telling you to watch your stuff because there any many thieves and bad people about, and there are hundreds of people walking around. Great! Not too mention the barbed wire and electric fencing everywhere, good times.  We stayed in Pretoria for two nights, and caught our flight for the third continent of this trip.  Indiaaaa...