We headed south from Kasane to the Woodlands Rest Camp yesterday, just a few kms north of Francistown.
As we drove out of Kazungula, where the borders of Zim and Zam meet Botswana, we saw giraffe grazing by the side of the road! We stopped and got out of the car, but they were a bit wary of us. We got back in the car and turned around to get a closer look and they weren’t at all bothered – more used to vehicles than people, I think. There were 3 of them.
I decided that giraffes were my favourite African animal because of their purple tongue, but then a few hundred kms further south, we saw a group of 5 zebras! Again, we hopped out of the car and walked a short distance off the road to get a better look and spent quite a while watching them watching us. I think we got to see as much wildlife on the A33 as we would have if we’d done a game safari tour thing in Chobe National Park.
Our night at the Woodlands Rest Camp was very nice – a little oasis in the desert, with beautiful grassy campsites, a swimming pool and good amenities block. There were several groups of campers, and they all seemed to be staying there for a while, unlike us who were just using it overnight. We had a very interesting chat with the owner this morning. Originally from Zim, her 4 siblings now all live in Australia, but her daughter still lives with her young family in Zim, in Harare and it’s …. difficult.
We’re heading back to South Africa today. I’ll be sorry to leave Botswana, it’s been an absolute pleasure travelling here.
I can’t believe how accessible the wildlife is ! To think you can see them from the roadside . I thought they’d be way out in the bush or on reserves . Photos are great as usual x
Sal, in Botswana it’s very easy to see wildlife, but perhaps not so much in other countries where poaching is a problem. Which is why they are in game reserves in Sth Africa, although according to our host it’s still possible to see wildlife outside game reserves in SA
Great photo’s Greg. We were watching a TV program last evening about the small animals that are taking into a refuge and then released into the wild. (Same part of S Africa where you are). How much better to doing your own thing than going on an organised tour . Take care . xx
Margaret, we’re just not ‘organised tour’ people.Probably never will be. We like the randomness of the way we travel
I agree with you Judy , see much more when you go off the tourist route .
We are the same. Enjoy your day xxx