News archive: July 2008

Victoria Falls and back- continued (page 2)

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We had a lot of distance to cover (still 450km to go) We planned to overnight at Nata- Right on the Magkadigadi salt Pans- the largest salt complex in the world. The salt pans cover an area of over 16000km and form the bed of a lake that started to evaporate 10 000 years ago.

Makgadigadi Pans

That night we set up camp at Nata lodge. They offer great Sunset “cruises” (in a 4x4) to see this vast expanse of dried up salt. After a hot shower and a delicious meal- we decided it would be a perfect spot for our second nights accommodation.

Day 2- 13 April 2008 Nata to Livingstone and Victoria Falls

We got up early and were on the road by 8am. By now the scenery had changed from high fenced game parks in South Africa to real African bush with no fences. African Akasia trees dotted the horizon and Mopani trees were plentiful.

There was elephant dung all over the road- so we were not surprised to see our first elephants right off the main road at about 10 am. In Australia one has to watch out for Kangaroos, in the USA, Deers and Moose can be hazardous- but in Africa, you watch out for elephants!

We enjoyed watching the elephants frolicking in the mud. What magnificent animals. You only really appreciate their true size when you are right alongside them on your Motorcycle.

One happy Elephnat right off the main highway

We had lunch at the Chobe Safari Lodge- and decided that it would be perfect accommodation for day 3. The lodge is 5km from the Chobe National Park and situated right on the Zambezi River. Here one can enjoy a big 5 sunset safari or take a river cruise along the Zambezi River.

We decided to head on into Zambia and try reach Victoria Falls before sunset. The Border crossing between Botswana and Zambia Is by ferry- we loaded our motorcycles and enjoyed the serene river crossing- but when we got to the other side it was complete chaos. It took us approximately 3 hours to clear. Zambians use a currency called Kwacha and the locals flock you at the border trying to exchange your Dollars, Pulas, and Rands into Kwacha’s- all at an exorbitant exchange rate of course.

The ferry from Botswana to Zambia

At the border you have to purchase road Insurance and road tax, as well as pay for the ferry- and they only accept Kwachas- of which we had none- and there was no way that we were going to buy from all the barters along the border. Now we know it is better to exchange some currency while you are still in Botswana! We decided to take our chances- luckily we were not stopped.

Once we finally made it into Livingstone (without any insurance- no less)- we made our way to Fawlty towers backpackers- a lot of fun- but definitely not suitable accommodation for our tourists!

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