Day 6 – May 26
Planet Baobab
On the way to my next destination I was in need of gas and pulled into a station where there were 10-12 vehicles crowded around the pumps. It turned out that the station had ben out of petrol and some of the customers had been waiting for over two hours until a tanker truck showed up. Fortunately I only had about an hours wait. The kids shown below were waiting with their day and were happy to take a seat on my bike.
A three hour trek thru the Africa bush in 4-wheel drive vehicles took 14 of us tourist out into the Magdikgadi Pans. The Pans are vast stretches of flat clay surface similar to a salt flat. Where we camped out you could see nothing in any direction on the horizon. A great bbq at dark was a treat but the sleeping under the stars in the mid 30 degree range was a bit much for an old guy that doesn’t sleep well in a regular bed.
A three hour trek thru the Africa bush in 4-wheel drive vehicles took 14 of us tourist out into the Magdikgadi Pans. The Pans are vast stretches of flat clay surface similar to a salt flat. Where we camped out you could see nothing in any direction on the horizon. A great bbq at dark was a treat but the sleeping under the stars in the mid 30 degree range was a bit much for an old guy that doesn’t sleep well in a regular bed.
Kids are always drawn to a motorbike.
I'd been very used to seeing cow crossing signs but in Botswana you also had bigger concerns!
The red circle I've put on this picture of a Baobab tree shows where my
ball cap is hanging. This should give an idea of how big these 2000 year old trees are.
The campsite in the Madagadi Pans was just about ready for a bbq.
The Meerkats were wonderful and it was amazing how they have gotten used to people.
Day 7 - May 27
Planet Baobab to Nata
Us hardly campers got up early in order to see the Meerkats that rise from their burrows when the sun’s warming begins. We drove out of the Pans and into another section of the Kalahari’s bush to find the little ones. They were amazing. Well worth the bumpy bush roads and cold (frigid?) temperature.
Motorrad had over-nighted a replacement bike and I found it ready to go when we returned from out bush excursion. I Left Planet Baobab on the replacement BMW and headed a short distance to Nata, a small town where after a good nights rest (hopefully) I will head for Kasane, Botswana where Chobe National Park is one of e highlights of this trip. Hopefully I’ll see lots of game.
Day 8 - May 28
Nata to Kasane (Kwalpe Safari Lodge)
Until this morning, I had seen many warning signs on the highway to watch out for animals. However mostly cows and donkeys were common (except for the warthogs and baboon). Today was different. Leaving Nata I rode a few Kilometers when there in the bush about 30 yards off the road were two more elephants! Cool. Later I saw a small herd of giraffes about 200 yards off the highway. I also saw what I believe were two Dik Dik’s which are like tiny deer about two feet high.
Tomorrow I expect to go on a morning game drive and and in the afternoon, a Chobe River cruisewhich should add hippos and crocs to the sightings
The Kwalpe Lodge (shown below) is rather primitive, with sleeping in tents (with electricity for a light and a fan) so the 80+ day timeheat will keep me in the bar for a while..
Note the "St. Louis beer sign in the windows.
