A Visit to southern Africa 202

Newest first

A Visit to southern Africa 202 Traveler
Day 27 Tuesday 5 May Kazikini
May 5 in Botswana ⋅ 🌙 17 °C
We were awoken at 5.30 by the water bearer. Dressed and coffee by 6.00.

With Mpho driving we headed north on a road to Moremi. Bumped around in the mopani forest before turning off to the west.

Mopani gave way to open grasslands. Came across a pair of steenbok followed by a giraffe family of 6, with a real baby. Further on were herds of zebras. Also watched an elephant and a lilac-crested roller.

Came back to camp at Kazikini for a late breakfast. Isaac, the chief guide, brought out a map and Viv added her two. A good discussion about the geography of the area followed with everyone asking questions. A very worthwhile session.

Laundry and relaxed.

After we went exploring again. Although Mpho worked hard we found very little. Giraffe,,ebra and elephants in the distance. At dusk we met up with the other truck and had a 'last night' sundowner.

Back to camp for a shower, drink around the campfire, another good .meal prepared by Kevin, and finally bed.Read more
0 likes
A Visit to southern Africa 202 Traveler
Day 29 Thursday 7 May Camp Okavango
May 7 in Botswana ⋅ ☀️ 20 °C
I got the times wrong and woke Viv at 5.00 instead of 5.30. In the dog box! However, we were on time when the escort came at 6.00 to walk us in the dark to breakfast.

Left Camp Okavango at 6.30 with guide 'Dallas' and a Swiss couple by boat for a walking safari. Travelled for about 30 minutes in the winding water channels, among the reeds and water lilies, before we eventually reached the island we were to hike on.Read more
0 likes
A Visit to southern Africa 202 Traveler
Day 30 Friday 8 May Camp Okavango
May 7 in Botswana ⋅ 🌙 13 °C
We had our first lie-in for ages and relaxed into the morning.

Breakfast at 8.00 all by ourselves as most other guests were out on activities. Chatted to the cook and waitress. After breakfast strolled to the viewpoint along raised board walks.

Final packing ready for our flight south. Viv browsed in the lodge shop.

Taken by boat for about 30 minutes to the nearest airstrip. Winding channels edged with varieties of reeds and birds.

Direct flight from Xugana to Laroo la Tau took about an hour. A very competent female Botswanan pilot handled the little GA8 Airvan extremely well. Plenty of water in the Delta so few islands and large vistas of green reeds.

As we crossed the main road from Maun to Gaborone the landscape became considerably drier and acacia thorn bushes dominated.

Finally saw the Botete River and a landing strip came into view. Met by Kets and with 2 others from another flight (joined later by 2 more), we went on a game drive. Very different sort of country compared to most of our previous travels. Dry, sandy and we had to watch out for acacia thorns. Our vehicle had to cross the Botete by pontoon while we were taken by boat. At the top of the bank was the Kumaga Gate into the Makgadikgadi National Park.

Stopped to watch 7 elephants drinking from the river. And they were soon joined by dozens of zebra. Continued on and saw elephant and steenbok. Stopped for a sundowner and then we made our way back to the exit and the pontoon. A bumpy ride on a dirt road got us to the lodge, Laroo la Tau.

Shown around in the semi-dark and finally taken to lodge 8. Mix up with bags was sorted out and we showered before dinner. Collected and taken to the dining room by a torch-bearer. A full table of residents but not a particularly interesting conversation.

Bed by 9.00 exhausted.Read more
0 likes
A Visit to southern Africa 202 Traveler
Day 31 Saturday 10 May Laroo la Tau
May 9 in Botswana ⋅ 🌙 8 °C
Viv's birthday!

Awoke to the call of fish eagles in the Botete.

Slow start to a cold morning as the sun rose and the red light weakened. Partially packed before walking along the sandy path to breakfast. Ignored the politics being discussed by a Canadian and Americans and took a coffee down to the riverside chairs. Also examined the Hide, which had potential.

Back to our room for a final pack and then our bags were collected and we were transported to the airstrip. Our little GA8 Airvan arrived within minutes. 4 of us got on board for the 30 minute flight to Maun. Generally followed the Botete/Thamalakane River. Very flat landscape.

Met at Maun and helped through luggage. Decided to try to see the Liversedges but they had sold their shop. Sat in the terminal while Viv went shopping. Security then Customs before sitting waiting for our Johannesburg flight.

Flew on an Airlink Embraer E195. 1.5 hours with a snack meal. Very comfortable.

At Oliver Tambo International Airport we checked our bags into, then killed time in the Departures Concourse. I looked after the bags while Viv went gift shopping. Finally made our way to the flight departure lounge and had to go through another carry-on bag check. Finally on board and we departed late.Read more
0 likes
A Visit to southern Africa 202 Traveler
Day 32 Sunday 10 May Overnight flight
May 10 in Australia ⋅ 🌙 19 °C
Tried to sleep on the South African Airways (flight SA280) 8hour 30 minutes flight to Perth but were not particularly successful. Good food and friendly air hostesses.
Read

Finally reached the Australian mainland ahead of time and landed safely at Perth's International Airport at 12.30. Jemma was late because of our early arrival, plus heavy Mothers Day traffic.

Finally the Chevrolet Silverado turned up and we loaded up for the hour-long drive to Dawesville.Read more
0 likes
A Visit to southern Africa 202 Traveler
Day 33 Monday 11 May Dawesville
May 11 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 25 °C
We slept very soundly and obviously needed it! Viv had 13 hours and I had 10!

Came through to find Chris had gone to work and the rest of the family were getting ready for school. Archie went off on the bus and Jem took Evie by car. Relaxed by the pool before coffee and a bite to eat.

Jem took Sam(son) for a walk and I joined her. Viv got washing sorted out.

Later in the morning, Jem drove us north to visit Chris' new factory in Bibra Lake. Most impressive. Chris showed us around and explained the various components of a Reverse Osmosis system that they were building for Murdoch University.

On the way home, we stopped in the Halls Head mall and Jem and Viv went food shopping while I found a SpecSavers to straighten up my bent glasses.

Home for soup followed by a siesta while Jem went to get Evie from school.

Read, chatted, Archie arrived and then Chris. Early dinner followed by an early retirement.Read more
0 likes
A Visit to southern Africa 202 Traveler
Day 34 Tuesday 12 May Dawesville
May 12 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 21 °C
Had a very quiet morning. Watched the kids go off to school. Chris working from home but disappeared to look at a storage unit for a while, returning mid-morning..

Jem, Viv and I took Samson for a walk down to the water's edge of the estuary.

For lunch, Chris took the three of us to the local golf club (The Cut) and we ate out on the patio on a lovely mild sunny day. A good meal.

Back home for a siesta.

Chatted to the kids when they returned from school.

Early dinner - a Domino's pizza - and another early night in preparation for a long day of travel tomorrow.Read more
0 likes
A Visit to southern Africa 202 Traveler
Day 35 Wednesday 13 May Dawesville
May 13 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 20 °C
Both up in time to see Archie leave to catch his school bus. Breakfast and completed packing.

Loaded our bags into the back of Jemma's huge truck and took Evie to school. From there Jem drove us the one hour 15 minutes to the international airport and dropped us off.

Didn't have to wait long before our Virgin flight was called. 737 200 and it was an uneventful 4 hour flight through to Sydney. Read and ate a snack lunch.

Arrived in a rainy Sydney just after 5.30. In a bit of a rush we were able to collect our bags from the carousel, exit the building and catch the shuttle bus to the international terminal and then walk the length of the exterior of the building to find Bus Bay 10 before our Murray's Coach to Canberra arrived.

The 3 hour bus trip, in the dark, passed very quickly. The coach was half empty so we spread out. Arrived in Canberra at 9.30 pm and Lara was there to pick us up.

Back to Roseworthy Crescent for a welcome from Al and Beni. Talked for a while before it was time for everyone to head for bedRead more
0 likes
A Visit to southern Africa 202 Traveler
Day 36 Thursday 14 May Farrer
May 14 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 12 °C
Had a very lazy day as exhaustion has set in.

Took Beni for a walk on Farrer Ridge.

Viv walked the boys to school.

Lara went off to a pottery class mid-morning.

Had a siesta after lunch while Viv chatted to Lara. They both went off to school to collect the boys.

After tea Viv and I took Reid to nearby football training while Lara helped Niels with homework.

Dinner with Al and the whole family.Read more
0 likes
A Visit to southern Africa 202 Traveler
Day 37 Friday 15 May Farrer
May 16 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 19 °C
Our final day of the trip has arrived.

Took Beni for a walk on the Farrer Ridge.

Breakfast with the family before saying goodbye to Al and walking the boys to school.

Slowly packed the car and eventually left Lara at about 10.30.

Pushed through Queanbeyan and Bungendore before stopping for a drink in Braidwood. Then it was down the mountain to Batemans Bay before turning north on the Princes Highway and eventually home in Narrawallee.

And it was sad that such a great holiday had come to an end - but good to be home at last.

On reflection, everything had worked. The friendship with old friends, the Hendersons and the Whites, was even stronger. The feeling among the tour group was very positive and they had loved what we were able to share with them. We had seen some incredible wildlife and natural phenomenon. All our transport - car, light rail, ferry, airlines and small plane charter flights - had been reliable and on time.

We couldn't have asked for more. What a holiday!Read more
0 likes

Trip end
May 15, 2026