Update 2019: As of May 2019, Botswana's president Mokgweetsi Masisi has overturned the ban on elephant trophy hunting in his country. We strongly suggest to not visit Botswana as long as the ban is not restored, as financial loses due to lack of tourism is unfortunately the only measure that people like Masisi might act upon.
It was night by the time we arrived at the border. Our eyes were wide awake with excitement as we crossed through into a new country, onto a road that was … well full of pot holes. Along the pot holed road we drove in pitch darkness until … What the f@#k! It was a cow standing in the middle of the road. That cow was close to death as our truck slammed on the breaks. Our first impression of Botswana was not great, pot holes, donkeys, cows and darkness everywhere.
At the campsite in Palapye (Camp Itumela) we got a whole other perspective to Botswana. We set up our tents in pitch darkness and headed to the bar. The bar had some interesting employees and we managed to score two free shots. The first shot was called a "springbok" where you hop to the bar with your antlers on and take the shot in your mouth then swallow.
We also tried a coffee flavoured shot from the lovely guy who worked at the bar with bright blue long painted nails and flowing brown hair (later on he was taking photos on his camera with B). After a few drinks the girls were exhausted and headed to bed while the boys stayed out. Little were they to know that they would find out the bar they were partying at was a gay bar.
Well Botswana what else could you throw at us, only one of the best days we had in Africa. Chobe National Park morning game drive and evening river cruise down the Chobe river.
The morning game drive through Chobe National Park was all about eagles, … eagles, eagles, eagles! We realised then that this time of year might not be the best for seeing animals. Although the drive was amazing.
In the evening Chobe runs a sunset river cruise. We packed our ciders and headed off down the river. As we were cruising in the sun we came across an elephant casually eating in the middle of the river, hippos chilling and crocodiles baking.
It was amazing sitting in the boat realising you were in Africa and all of the animals around you were real.
My lasting impression of Botswana is sitting on the deck of the boat as the sun was setting over the Zambian side. Words cannot describe the colours of the sunset and the wildlife you will see. All I can say is that "Botswana, you blew my mind!".
Lonely Planet, Southern Africa, Aug 2013: "Botswana’s Chobe National Park ranks among the elite of African safari destinations. For a start there are more elephants here than anywhere else on earth, numbering in the tens of thousands. And they’re big – really big … And finally the Chobe River Front, where most of Africa’s charismatic mega fauna come to drink."
