18 January 2013 - Jo'burg to Kalahari Desert, Botswana

Woke about 3am, wide awake, listened to an audiobook and music until 6. Went down for breakfast at 7. Met up with the rest of our group and got the shuttle back to the airport at 8.30.

The plane to Maun, Botswana, was delayed nearly 2 hours which is apparently quite common. Nothing else to do but hang around the airport and look through the shops.

Arrived at Maun about 1pm. Tiny airport. There was a travel representative to meet us and take us to another lounge to wait for a smaller light plane to fly us to Tau Pan Camp in the Kalahari Desert.

Boarding the plane at Maun

Pam a bit sick on plane as she was tired and the flight was very noisy and glary. A bit unusual though. The flight took about an hour. We landed on a dirt airstrip and were met by our camp guide, Timber and our tracker, Carstom.

Another plane on it's way to Tau Pan Camp

On the short ride to the lodge went past a pride of lions that had just finished eating an oryx.. amazing.

Well fed lions!

We were allocated our cabins which were lovely, running hot and cold water, flushing toilet, lovely outlook.

Inside our cabin at Tau Pan

The outside of our cabin at Tau Pan

Weather mild, a bit overcast. Went out for a drive for 2 hours - springboks, impala & birds - just wonderful. Had a stop for a drink near a herd of impalas for 30 mins then back to the lodge for tea. We had a lovely meal and met other guests who had been at the camp for a few days. Its a very communal environment, exchanging stories about where you've been and where you're going.

"Rockin" Roller

Impala

Guinea Fowl

On safari in the jeep

Springbok

 Springbok

The crew 

Timber & Carstom making "Sundowner" drinks 

Everyone is escorted back to their cabins at night for safety reasons. There are no fences around the camp and some animals may move in close at night. If you need urgent attention during the night each cabin has a small horn beside the bed which you can use to get someone from the camp to come to your cabin. Understandably there is no communication coverage. The staff use radio or satellite phones to communicate with the outside world.

We hit the sack at 9.30pm exhausted.