Botswana and Caprivi Part 3 - Sangwali, Namibia
Sangwali, Namibia
Where I stayed
Free camp in Mamili National Park
What I did
Mamili National Park
From the luxury of Chobe Safari Lodge, we travelled a short way and found our camp site in Chobe National Park, at Ihaha. We were here for 4 nights. It is the most wonderful place. There are no fences around the camp, so the animals just wander around. A large herd of elephants wandered past one day, scaring Sue half to death! She got such a fright she tripped and fell over the tent pegs, taking all the skin off her knees.
We went for game drives every day, seeing many. many different types of game. On the second last evening, we found a herd of buffalo well over 500 strong, drinking from the river. So there we stopped and watched the sun set over this spectacular sight.
Another sad reality was the presence of Anthrax. We saw a young buffalo die in front of us, and the state vet stopped us to ask for directions to this poor animal. All carcasses have to be burnt to stop the spread of this terrible disease.
This place is very special to us, it is one of the few last places where game is so prolific and people are still allowed to camp in their midst.
After 4 nights in this beautful place, we packed up and headed for the Namibian border at Ngoma bridge. From there it was a short hop into Mamili National Park (or Nkasa Rupara, depending on the political situation) We spent 3 nights here, and it was surprisingly, the most wonderful place to stay.
The last time we had been here, the game had been minimal, and the locals were hunting the place to it's death. This time, we were surprised with all the game - ellies, hippos (in the pool right next to us), many type of buck, and an array of bird life. It was a wonderful, quiet last few days in the bush.
From Mamili, we went to Ngepi camp for 2 nights. Always fun and quirky, it was a wonderful way to get back into civilisation, but still camping. The bathroom tour is the best! My personal favourite is Poopa Falls, while Gary's is the Loo with a View! Megan and Bronwen loved the Garden of Eden, and the bath over the Kavango river.
It was time to travel home :( We stopped at friend's in Windhoek on the way home. Tara and Ulrike made us a delicious kudu stew with all the trimmings. Then, after a wonderful catch up with them, and a packed lunch for the road