Day 69 Ihaha Campsite, Chobe National Park, Botswana

Took some time to repack the new Landy – even though they are the same model the space configuration is totally different. The drive to Kazungula Ferry was quite short and we were at the Zambian immigration by 10.15.  As per our previous experience it was pretty chaotic – long queue of lorries, lots of touts, guys offering to guard cars or guide you through the process.  As usual we tried to avoid everyone but in the end one of the lads who latched onto us proved very helpful as he did expertly guide us to all the different buildings for immigration, taxes, ferries etc so we didn’t feel aggrieved at paying him in the end. 

The ferry crossing was very efficient and we were soon crossing the Zambezi to Botswana.  Ian had driven onto the ferry and I had had to walk on after two large lorries so it wasn’t until we got to the other side that Ian knew I had made it across.

Botswana immigration was so much smoother than Zambia – one building to deal with passports, importing of vehicles and the various taxes / insurance that you need to pay.  By 11.30 we were back on the road and heading to Kasane for shopping, money, petrol and beer.  Only one snag!  Despite being assured that we could buy alcohol in Botswana on a Sunday, you can’t so we headed off to Chobe with a grumpy Ian and the prospect of no beer for 5 days!

Arrived in Chobe later than we had hoped but still managed to do a bit of a game drive down to the campsite.  There were hundreds of elephant along the river front – absolutely colossal numbers. 

The road to the camp was really deep sand in places so it took some time to drive (aka slip and swerve).  Arriving at camp we were warned that our campsite was a favourite haunt of a large baboon troop – deep joy!  Luckily they seemed to have found a better home for tonight so we were able to enjoy a baboon free evening watching zebra and buffalo along the river front. 

Ihaha camp also has a bit of a reputation for night raids of the campsite from Namibia – we were interested to see that Botswana takes this quite seriously as there were 3 members of the defense force on duty.

Just as it was going dark a herd of 20 elephants raced down to the water through a gap on the other side of the tree that we were parked next to.  Tea was eventually eaten in the dark watching the silhouettes of the elephants munching the grass along the river bank, and Ian spotted a genet in the torch light.