BOTSWANA, DAY 5&6
Cheetah, cubs & the most incredible dinner setting. Kwando Splash is unique as a private game reserve, offering exclusivity to you and other guests. Moremi Game Reserve was never busy; at most, we saw only two other jeeps at a time. However outside of those parks it can get very busy, with up to 20 jeeps surrounding the wildlife.
YOU HEAR EVERYTHING BUT SEE NO FURTHER THAN A FEW METRES
In terms of the accommodation it was more a lodge than a tent but it was all about the views. Each lodge faces the watering hole, allowing you to watch animals even during your midday siesta.
WATERING HOLE
This was apparent when we saw 7giraffes, zebras, a load of wildebeasts, warthogs and elephants all in the same setting! One thing I will always remember is the walk from the restaurant to the lodge. Ten meters may not sound far, but in an ungated bush area, you don’t know what’s around you. Our guide emphasized the risk, insisting we never go to our lodge without him in the evenings.
REQUESTS
I had said to our guide we are yet to see a Cheetah during our time in Botswana and if he could help. Well within no time he had delivered and we were 20metres from one, I am not sure I have an animal walk quite like it, it was like a catwalk!
We passed the untouched dead hyena and found something special in a small, hidden enclosure. A pride of lions with 2 of the cutest cubs you will see, I was surprised we were able to get so close.
CUBS
A lone elephant ran through the trees, clearly not expecting to encounter a pride of lions! It stopped in shock and immediately noticed the danger, took a turn and walked though the nearest ‘exit’ which happened to be the densest part of the bush without any effort whatsoever.
RELATED READ: ILHA GRANDE CURES THE HANGOVER FROM HELL
DINNER
The camp hosts a special dinner near the watering hole twice a week. The setup is as crazy as it sounds! Within no time it was dark and you can hear the animals as clear as day all around you.
From the elephants walking through the bushes to the Hyenas chittering to one another. You knew you were super exposed but rarely have I felt so alive. These lodges really know how to put on a show!
THERE WAS EYES ON US
As if we didn’t feel vulnerable enough the guides took our their torches and pointed them to the watering hole. All you could were brightly lit eyes from all the animals.
Just remember you had maybe 5metres of light and then it was pitch dark so you really had no idea what was around you. Add that to that fact we were eating freshly cooked food, some of which was meat!
THAT NIGHT
I thought my first night in Botswana was frightening (link) but it was nothing compared to last night. Lion roars kept us up instead of an elephant’s creeping noise, making us think it was right outside or under the lodge. There is very few places in the world where you can get an experience like that!
As we are beside and watering hole, its not just the lions that you hear but pretty much ever animals around, something I will never forget!
LAST GAME DRIVE
The following morning and our last day in Botswana we had our final game drive. Lions aren’t rare here; we saw two more in the road, likely showing their strength by resting wherever they want.
WWe revisited the old buffalo from day one, now clearly finished. 2 hyenas and only 20 vultures were around it now with most of the carcass gone.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Now I see why Botswana is considered the best place to do a safari.
NEXT UP
Off to Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe. Click to read
SAFE TRAVELS, DS x
122/229
This post is part of the Southern Africa Series, click to explore or for episode 1 click here.
To watch the video of my trip, head to my highlights on my Instagram.
