Savuti to Xhanaxa Moremi 23 July

After all our offroading pursuits the previous day, the contents of our car had not fared particularly well, especially in terms of the custard and milk. This took quite a bit of cleaning up so we didn't get away particularly early. We didn't have a verylong way to drive about 180 km, but given the conditions of the roads, or lack of, we were expecting it to take the whole day. We visited the rock paintings on the way out, but weren't convinced that they were very old. It took us 3 hours to get out of Chobe, passing various game on the way out. The lack of signage and disintegration of the road often left us wondering if we were on the right track, but eventually we made it to the gate. It was another hours drive to Moremi Game Reserve in the Okavanga Delta. Each year after the raining season the river of the Okavango flows down to the delta flooding the area, and trapping the game onto various islands and land masses. It is famous for its bird life as well as good assortment of game in a relatively confined area. We were not sure how good the road was going to be as it depends on how much the water has receded. We had lunch by the banks of the Khwai River, a very pleasant spot. Shortly after we encountered our first delta water crossing which was pretty big. 3 cars were on the other side and they indicated down river and drove off. Down a bit further we could cross, after some wading and shortly after we arrived at the park entrance great, after speaking to the Germans who had been in the 3 cars on the opposite side of the river. When we registered for entering the park, which is a lot more expensive than Namibia, they told they had see lions with their cubs nearby. Off we went searching again but again they eluded us. It was another 2 hour drive to our camp, still a bumpy rod but a very pretty drive. Moremi switches between forest of very green trees, swamp and clear pools of water surrounded by massive reeds and grass plains. Zebra, giraffe, antelope and elephant were all around but not in the large numbers as in Chobe. By the camp entrance is a runway where small planes seem to land regularly. Elephant are on the runway. It is nearly dark as we setup, next to water full of reeds in the No. 1 campsite. This really pleases the boys that we are always at the No. 1 campsite. We are all tired after a day in the car and pleased that we are here for 2 nights so don't have to move off in the morning.

Location:Moremi