Even though we know exciting things are still ahead, it's difficult to leave Sabi Sabi Earth Lodge and Sabi Sands Game Reserve. Especially because we know that we'll spend almost the entire day trying to get to our next destination.
I am on and off planes so often for work, that it barely registers as anything more than a bus ride. But this itinerary was a little ridiculous.
Sabi Sands to Johannesburg
We were picked up mid-safari to get shuttled to the airstrip to start our trip toward Botswana. The great thing about this was that a tracker called Crimson was our driver so we had a mini-safari on the way there We encountered fresh hyena dung (score!), male kudu, a warthog (our first) barreling hell for leather out of a termite mound, and a herd of rhino. Finally on arriving at the airstrip:
Look closely. Yes, those are elephants. On the runway.In other "how did we get here?" news: the airstrip had a departures lounge. The pictures make it look like a cave and really don't do it justice. It was an oasis in the middle of the bush. Plus, more biltong!
Just about the last thing we expected to see.A definite step up from the American Airlines Admiral's Club.
Relaxing in the cave/lounge.Johannesburg to Maun
Johannesburg was chaotic, as expected. We didn't get shanghaied this time and we finally found clean socks (with giraffes on them!)
Our flight to Maun was on Air Botswana, which Anne affectionately dubbed "Air Souvlaki" as a throwback to a vacation through Greece where puddle-jumpers were the norm. I would have welcomed a bit of souvlaki to be honest. The food was vile.
On the flight, I noticed a family (mom, dad, 2 boys) who were just too funny. They were very preppy-oozing Lacoste and Todd's. The boys were carbon copies of their dad. I was eavesdropping on them and could hear that although the boys had proper English prep-school accents, mom and dad sounded like they were fresh from the Vineyard.
Maun Airport is, according to some reports, the second-largest airport in Botswana. Scary.Maun to Moremi Airstrip
After braving the immigration process into Botswana (one person for about 200 people, and three count 'em three forms), we were met by a representative from CC Africa who was delivering us to the flight that would take us to Moremi Game Reserve.
Coincidentally, the Prep Squad was already there, waiting to board the 8-seater flight with us. Not only did they end up being super nice (making me burn with shame for having mocked them for wearing penny loafers and canvas belts), but in one of those mind-blowing small world situations, I discovered that they live ON MY STREET in London.
Hi, Neighbor!
Our first glimpse of the Okavango Delta
Disembarking in styleMoremi Airstrip to Sandibe
Once we landed at Moremi Airstrip, we still had a 45-minute drive ahead to get to the Sandibe game lodge. The ride was long, but beautiful. The sun was strong, we were in an open-air rover and I could feel the stale air of the last 2 flights being blown off of me as we cruised along. It's warmer here in Botswana and the mosquitoes buzz along. But thoughts of bug bites, malarial infection, and animal attacks were far from my mind as the rover charged into the water, wheel-high. It's different out here. And that is a very good thing.
Our chariot awaits
The sun in my face, the wind in my hair.
Driving through water
1 comment:
I swear Colleen, you have the life I have dreamed of. I'm very fortunate to live it through you!
tbnhk! (another way to spell a sneeze?)
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