Maun to Nxai Pans 27 July

Today was a bit of a non event day. All the tour groups had left by the time we got to breakfast at 8am. It was another beautiful morning but still with a chill in the air. After packing up we headed into Maun stopping at a local curio shop where the boys purchased some bits and pieces. Maun was bustling with locals and foreigners. It's obviously a big hub for tour groups and there were lots of 4wds stocking up with supplies. Huge queues of people wait for the ATMs. We join the crowds in the supermarkets and at the ATMs and do a spot more curio shopping, before heading out to Nxai Pans, picking up our permits enroute. A significant amount of paperwork is required in Africa, very little is computerized. There is also a distinct lack of road signs, and it is not until we are about 30km out of town that we get a sign indicating we are on the right road. About 1 1/2 hours later we reach the park gate, it takes us nearly an hour to do the last 35 km's as there is patches of thick sand. There is only one permanent waterhole at Nxai, so we head straight out to it as the sun is setting. Some people driving back say there is nothing there and they are right. We are told the next day that lions were there about 10mins before. We go to camp to find 2 elephants in camp on their knees drinking from what looks to be a underground water tank. Liam after further investigation thinks it is the sewer. Nice. They hang around our campsite all night eating the trees, at one point when we are in bed they come right next to the tent. There's very few other people here. We hear lions roaring at one point and plan to get up early to go to the waterhole.

Location:Nxai Pans