You might laugh when you read the title of this post, because most of you know that I have no idea how to relax or take time off, I’m always plugged in aren’t I? Well, I’ve got news for you, I’m taking a proper holiday! The last holiday I took was in 1997 I think, when I went to Knysna with my family – yes, I’ve been on the odd weekend away here and there, but nothing to this extent. It’s also the first time I’ll be leaving South Africa – I’ve flown to JHB twice, that’s it!
On the 26th December Fe and I will be leaving Cape Town for Johannesburg, where we will stay over night at Monte Casino and depart the following day for Gaberone, where we jump onto a charter and head to Maun. When we arrive at Maun, we’ll be spending a night at Maun Lodge whilst we climatize. The following morning, we’ll be collected by Charter and escorted to our first proper location – Xakanaxa Camp where we’ll be staying until 31st December. Take a look at Xakanaxa Camp..
Xakanaxa is located in the heart of the Moremi Game Reserve, rated as one of Africa’s most beautiful game reserves, about 50 kilometres to the west of the Khwai Gate and about 140 kilometres to the north of Maun.
Situated on the Xakanaxa Lagoon, Xakanaxa boasts one of the prime locations in all of Botswana.
Towering riverine forests, open savannah, seasonal floodplains, permanent lagoons, rivers and the intricate channels of the Okavango Delta surround the camp. This makes for a varied habitat that ensures the safari traveler of the very best all year round Okavango Delta land and water experience.
We’ll be staying in a luxury tent, which we’ve done before, and we’ll be going on all sorts of game drives, I can’t wait! Our stay ends on 31 December and we’ll be going by charter to The Garden Lodge next..
The Garden Lodge, in Kasane, on the banks of the Chobe River, in Botswana’s far north is 70 km from Victoria Falls, 16km from Kazungula (the meeting point of Botswana, Zimbabwe, Namibia and Zambia) and 300 km from the Okavango Delta. Chobe National Park, with its estimated 100 000 elephants, huge herds of buffalo and daily sightings of lion is only 2 km away.
For fishermen, the Chobe and Zambezi Rivers are on our doorstep. Keen birders will have a field day, with over 500 species in the area.
This unique location makes The Garden Lodge an ideal destination for visitors to Botswana and the surrounding countries.
We’ll be staying at The Garden Lodge until the 3rd of December and then we have an assortment of flights to catch – The Garden Lodge -> Kasane -> Maun -> Gaberone -> JHB -> CPT!!!
Here’s a bit of a map I put together if case you’re interested in seeing exactly where all these places are:
click to enlarge
The temperature at the moment in Botswana is around 30 degrees, and it’s going to get hotter, so we’re preparing for some seriously hot weather! Our Malaria tablets are on the way and most of the equipment we need to take is arranged, I’ll be taking a decent camera, so I’ll be able to capture some photographs during the trip and my mobile’s set up for International roaming, so if I can sneak in a tweet whilst Fe’s not looking, I’ll do that ;)
I tell you, I’m so freaking excited, I can hardly sit still!!!
Chris! You’re f-ing nuts to go to Botswana in summer hun. It’s HOT and it’s serious mosquito season. Hehehe!
But it’s also one of the most beautiful places you’ll ever lay eyes on.
I’ve been there in winter when it’s been over 30′C during the day so I can only imagine how hot it can get in summer!
I have a very handy tip for you for mozzies. It’s effective but it’s NOT fun. If you can, get your hands on some aloe crystals. Then just take a tiny-tiny one once a day (start now! You need to get about three weeks worth of nasty into you before you go). This will turn your blood bitter, no mosquito will come near you – guaranteed.
The trick is just to sneak it past your tongue somehow (it’s really vile). Might I recommend hiding it in some yogurt, or a slice of semi-squishy banana than you can swallow whole? ;-)
You think you know mosquitoes until you get to Botswana, you don’t. Never mind the malaria risk – who wants to walk around on your first vacation in how long scratching yourself all the time?
I hope you have a fantastic time! It’s really a magical place.
Lol Louisa, that’s not too encouraging! :P
Ag ye, I realise the mosquito’s are going to be crazy and it’s going to be damn hot, but ya, we’re in decent lodges and I’m sure we’ll survive and have the best time ever, surely?
Oh I’m sure you’ll have a great time Chris. It’ll be different to anything you’ve ever seen or done before. Just make sure the mozzies don’t carry you away so you can come back and tell us all about it!
Haha! You’re in trouble btw ;)
Oh? :-| What have I done / not done?
Fe read your comment and stressed out! hehe
Oops…sorry about that!
Haha, all good!
When did you go? Where did you stay?
You are well lucky bro… you going to have such an awesome time. I went through to Madikwe(take a right before you drive over the boarder into Gaberone and stayed in a lodge called Tau Lodge) 2 years ago in August and it was blady hot, one of the best experiences of my life.
Dont stress about the mozzy’s. Like you say, you’ll be staying in a decent enough place to keep them out and im sure they’ll have the right protective measures out there.
Dude, the places you are staying at, look unbelivably awesome… Have an awesome time. Im going roading tripping up to Coffee bay for new years! :)
@craigs – Ye bro, I’m well amped to go, sheesh, I wana leave now! :D I’ve heard of Madikwe, think I saw that whilst looking for places to stay, I must have a look for Tau Lodge. What tips you got for keeping cool? Mozzy’s, ag ya, I mean they suck, but people wouldn’t go to these places if it was _that_ bad!
Raod trip ftw, and Coffee Bay is awesome! Have a blast!
hahahaa, well it was my first time at a game reserve(well up north) so I didnt expect the heat was going to be as hectic as it was. but what other guys brought were those tiny little plastic spraying cans, just keep spraying your face and keep yourself continually cooled down.
As for the mozzy’s, you’ll be fine… just tabard yourself from head to toe and im pretty sure most insects will stay away! heehehee
Ye, I saw the coolest thing at Cape Union Mart, it’s a normal water bottle, which also has a trigger which sprays a burst of water onto your face whilst you drink, very neato! Mozzy’s – I heard that drinking G&T’s also keeps them away, this was according to my old man who knows Africa like the back of his hand – interesting hey?
I always listen to the ol man when he gives tips like that out, so stock up on the G&T:)
Yeah thats kinda the thing im talking about but not as a water bottle, but that water bottle sounds like it cant be passed up! I would say you get that ASAP:)
Ye, they always know their shit hey! I’ll grab one of the bottles no doubt!
looks AMAZING! enjoy it!
Thanks mate!!! :)
http://imod.co.za/index.php/2010/01/06/safari-holiday-in-botswana/
Those are the photographs and information about the trip for those of you who are interested :)