Page 18 - Cape-Camera-July-August-2021

July/August 2021 Cape Camera

darkness. André arrived back from his shower, all shiny clean but At the South African Immigration post, we found that we first
with a faintly worried expression. He had nearly walked into the had to present ourselves to the Port Health offices. There we
elephant bull and his Askari on the path in the dark. Given the meet the most pleasant, helpful, articulate and pro-active Afri-
current proximity of the wildlife, I elected to get into the land can lady with whom either of us had ever had to deal. We duly
rover and drive to the ablution block for my shower! filled in the required screening documents and then asked to
Also administrated by SKL Camps, our campsite was serviced be Covid-tested for re-entry. However, that was a problem as
daily by very friendly staff and although a lovely place to have the testing was carried out by a mobile clinic which was not
camped, Moremi was actually a ‘bust’ on this occasion and the currently on site and would not be back for some time. Not
only exciting sighting was a group of spotted hyenas tearing to worry, she said and made us fill out another whole ream of
apart the carcass of a giraffe that appeared to have been killed documents that allowed us to self-quarantine for 10 days when
the previous night by lions. Water, water everywhere! we arrived back home, which was after a sleep over at Kimberly
The trip to Maun was uneventful. Audi Camp is situated on and a final last 965 km.
the Thamalakane River and the approach to this campsite is Needless to say, André was over the moon with his experiences
through a typically African rural area. I watched, with amuse- and has not stopped bragging to all his friends. He is busy try-
ment, my son’s apprehensive expression change to confusion ing to find a way to take his wife and six year old son on similar
and then happiness as we drove into the camp. This camp is well adventures. However, most of where had travelled is malaria
known and loved by all who visit and is very popular with many country and so he is either going to have to wait a while, or to
overland tour trucks and self-drive campers as a waypoint either come again with his Dad. Watch this space!!
into or out of Moremi. It has a swimming pool that is surround-
ed by a typical safari bar and restaurant, serving cold beers (or
whatever) and offers delicious à la carte meals. With the river in
front of you, the boats visible through the trees, and the sun set-
ting in glorious colours – what more could you want. Fabulously
friendly staff, Wi-Fi service, as well as spotlessly clean campsite
and ablution facilities. André who is the GM of a very success-
ful Hotel and Conference Centre in Milnerton was completely
enthralled. A “more a holiday resort than a campsite” were his
words. He, like many of us, loved Audi Camp!

Drinks time at Marabou

Audi Camp

The next morning and we were now seriously on our way home
and the next overnight stop was, what used to be a boring ‘next-
to-the-road place to sleep’ town of Kang. Probably still boring Chobe Sunset
but now a thriving (in non-Covid times), overnight facility that
comprise hotel-like apartments, wooden chalets as well as
camping. We chose the chalets which were clean and comfort-
able and at R420 very inexpensive. The establishment now of-
fered a bar which would not be out of place in any city and a
restaurant which served us the best T-bone steak that either of
us had eaten in a long while. The wine list, not so good and we
chose the best wine they had on offer - Chateau Libertas! The
next morning, before daybreak, we were on our way to Kimber-
ley, via the judicial capital of Botswana, Lobotse, before crossing
the border into South Africa at Ramatlabama, in all a distance of
908 km.
We ran into a bit of problem on the Botswana side of the bor-
der post, when we were asked if we had a valid travel certificate
which we would have to present at the South African Immigra-
tion offices. We did not, but after showing them our certificates
which had allowed us into their country and pointed out that
we were returning home as South Africa citizens and would be
tested at their border post, they waved us on and goodbye.
Savute Camp Visitor

17 Cape Town Photographic Society