The Great Trek North

We embark on a safari to the North western part of Namibia known for its Wetlands, swamps and riverine woodlands. This area is known as, the Caprivi Strip. From Cape Town this is a four day journey taking us more than 2000kms away from home. The first episode takes us to the South African Namibia border, after crossing the border and complying with all the immigration and Covid procedures, we camp alongside the Orange river at the Amanzi Camp.

Day two takes us deeper into the Western Kalahari, to the Kalahari Anib Lodge (Gondwana Collection) where we take advantage of their Camp-To-Go camps. Convenient and clean, pre set up tents situated at the foot of a Red Kalahari Dune provide the perfect overnight solution for the traveller.

We encounter the land of the plagues in Southern Namibia where supergroups of locusts are migrating across the B1 road. The spectacle is almost biblical. We push on, to reach the Dinosaur camp at Mount Etjo Safari Lodge. The Namibian landscape is lush and green, they have had good rains and the dusty roads have been compacted and are easy to navigate. We are starting to acclimatise to the new rhythm of setting up camp, making a camp fire, enjoying an ice cold G&T and cooking on an open fire under the stars.

After sunset, once all is said and done, we retreat into our tents to escape the mosquitoes and enjoy a good nights rest. The next day starts at dawn with a steaming mug of coffee, and once again we begin the routine of breaking down camp and hitting the road to move on to new and exciting places. Yes it is a lot of work but the journey certainly makes it worth it.

It’s been a long haul – and arrive on the Kavango River on the northern border of Namibia and Angola. It is the starting point for our Caprivi Swamp Safari. From here we head east closer to the Okavango delta. If the covid rules allow it we will also try our luck in Botswana and make our way into the Okavango Delta. It took us 4 days to drive 2500 km. Now we are on the on the banks of the Kavango river. Approx. 18’ S of the equator. It lush green and tropical. We have been transported to another world. As we dial down and tune in – time stops We watch the people of the river make their last makoro trip, before the sun sets. We spend our days, reading books watching birds and cooking on fires – we finally find our groove. the Okavango river originates in the natural water towers of the sandy Angolan highlands 1300m above sea level It is the fourth longest river system in Africa. It travels 1600kms south and ends in the Okavango alluvial fan never reaching the sea. The rain falls in January and takes an entire month to travel 1000km until it reaches the Okavango river And then 4 months to filter through the fingers of the delta creating a paradise for wildlife. It’s time to move We stretch our legs on the grass court to get the heart pumping. Our next destination is camp Ngepi Famous for its hippos along the upper reaches of the Okavango delta but first we stop for some diesel and biltong in rundu After a long stretch on the B8 we stop To buy wood from the locals And A little further was a sign of things to come. And Diane and I finally meet in paradise.

Into The Wild Ep3 – Safari Time BWABWATA [Ngepi][Nambwa][Bwabwata][Caprivi][Safari][Elephant]

Into the Wild Ep4 SAFARi Kwando Magic Bwabwata National Park, Caprivi, Nambwa Campsite

Into the Wild Ep5 Namibia, Caprivi, Livingstone Camp, Nkasa Rupara National Park, Sangwali,

Into the Wild Ep6 Zambezi Cross Border Safari into Chobe National Park, Botswana, Savuti Marsh,

Into The Wild Ep7 Botswana, Khwai, Mbudi Camp and get lost in Paradise

In Episode 8

Exiting the Khwai region, We enter Moremi through North Gate and finally get to Xkanaxa only to be greeted with Elephants at our camp site.

We are held hostage by an elephant bull gorging on Marula fruit.

on a boat we explore the Xkanaxa lagoon and have the closest encounter with an elephant gorging on water lillies. Finally it is time to head back to civilization after a month in the Swampy Linyanti and Moremi Okovango Delta.

Into The Wild Ep8 Moremi Elephant Tango, held hostage by an Elephant, Botswana, Xakanaxa, Northgate