After an unforgettable 12-day familiarization trip through Botswana and Zimbabwe, our Chrisna and Nadine were back on home soil and we caught up with them to hear all about their trip and the amazing sights, smells and surroundings they had the opportunity of experiencing.
Upon arriving in Maun, we were greeted with Botswanan smiles and transferred to our home for the first three days of our trip. Tucked away in a grove of mopane trees and mysterious woodlands in one of Botswana's most coveted regions, Mankwe Tented Retreat is situated in a private concession on the doorstep of the Moremi Game Reserve. Two hours later, we reached our destination and were treated to an afternoon game drive, where we had the opportunity to encounter some incredible wildlife.
During our stay, we were also spoiled with a boat cruise on the Xakanaxa Lagoon, in the heart of the Moremi Game Reserve, and this exceeded all our expectations! The views of the Khwai River and its wildlife delivered some spectacular sightings some people only dream of. We were lucky to spot a herd of elephants that came down to quench their thirst and the boat made it possible to get up close to these gentle giants. After the cruise, we had a lovely picnic lunch before heading back to the lodge.
After three days, it was time to bid farewell to Mankwe Tented Retreat and their wonderful staff and start the second leg of our journey.
The next day we travelled south and visited a few hotels on the way, all whilst listening to stories and interesting facts our guide told with unmatched knowledge which only comes from years of experience and growing up in this vibrant country. We checked in at our hotel for the evening - Cresta Maun Hotel. Situated on the banks of the Thamalakane River in northern Botswana, this hotel offers a tranquil setting for both leisure and business travelers alike.
Travelling east the following day, we made our way to the small village of Gweta; about 250 kilometers from Maun and 100 kilometers from Nata. This village derived its name from the sound of croaking bullfrogs, and is generally considered the gateway to the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans in Botswana.
In the vicinity of Gweta, national monuments take the form of ancient baobab trees. One such tree, Greens Baobab, located 27 kilometers south of Gweta, bears inscriptions from 19th-century hunters and traders like Frederick Thomas Green and Hendrik Matthys van Zyl, along with other intriguing characters. About 11 kilometers further south lies the turnoff to the even more impressive Chapman's Baobab. This remarkable tree boasts a circumference of 25 meters and once served as a crucial navigation beacon. It also doubled as an early post office for passing explorers, traders, and travelers, many of whom left their mark by inscribing the tree's trunk. Tragically, on January 7, 2016, Chapman's Baobab fell. The cause of its collapse and its current state of life remain uncertain.
Nestled between the northern Botswanan towns of Kazungula and Kasane, and situated across from the Chobe River, Kwalape, which translates to "home" in Setswana, is conveniently just an hour's drive from the awe-inspiring Victoria Falls. It's also a mere kilometer away from the convergence point of four great nations: Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Botswana.
This prime location provides unparalleled opportunities to intimately engage with the region's wildlife through captivating activities such as boat cruises and game drives into the Chobe National Park.
The lodge itself comprises a total of 12 charming thatched chalets, each boasting spacious living areas, en-suite bathroom facilities, and a private veranda. Additionally, there are 10 comfortable twin canvas safari tents with shared ablution facilities, and 8 generously sized camping grounds, all equipped to accommodate both overland and private tours.
The next day we headed to Chobe Savanna Lodge, which is on the Namibian side of the Chobe River. After checking in,we departed on a two hour boat cruise to see what the mighty Chobe had in store for us.
After a day packed with adrenaline and adventure, we were more than ready to call it a (very successful and memorable) day, and we allowed the sounds of the far-off Falls to lull us to sleep in our rooms at Shongwe Oasis - Victoria Falls' first adults-only lodge.
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