On November 1^st, 2024 we said goodbye to Richard at Maabwe Camp, where we relaxed for three days. The days and nights at Lake Kariba will be unforgettable, as will the early morning bird concerts. (But there’s no point in swimming in Lake Kariba, because it’s full of hippos and crocodiles!)

We drove around Hwange – an ugly town that lives from coal mining. Thirty kilometers further north we turned onto the track heading west and in direction to the Botswana border. This route leads along the famous Hwange National Park. So, it’s no wonder that giraffes, kudus, elands, impalas and zebras crossed our path. However, we only saw dung from the elephants. (Not to mention the two saddle-billed storks and the Goliath Heron that sat by the pools!)

The border formalities at Pandamatenga, where we swapped Zimbabwe for Botswana, were completed in no time. In a quarter of an hour, we had all the exit and entry stamps – we’ve experienced it differently too! At 3:30 pm. we were welcomed by Franz, a former big game hunter, from the Touch of Africa lodge, where we had already spent the night last year. There was a lot to talk about over a gin and tonic at the bar!

The next morning an early departure via Nata, where we did some shopping. We then drove towards Maun and in the early afternoon reached the Planet Baobab Lodge, where we camped for the first time more than twenty years ago. The name is fitting because the lodge is surrounded by dozens of beautiful baobabs. Now we’re sitting by the pool after rinsing the dust off our bodies in the shower…

PS: If you want to know more about this lodge, read here.