DAY 3: Our first wildlife in Makgadikgadi!

We left Njuca Hills at 05:45 this morning and headed for the Boteti River, which forms the western boundary of the Makgadikgadi National Park. The road was long, straight and relatively quiet. 

The road through the reserve.

In the sand we found a fresh set of lion tracks - a mother with a very small cub, but they were nowhere to be found. As we continued, more and more animals started showing themselves - steenbok, springbok and large herds of up to 80 gemsbok! To our disappointment we hit a massive fence next to the river and had to drive along it all the way north to Khumaga camp. Along it we saw plenty of cattle INSIDE the reserve (lion food if you ask me!!) along with two herds of elephant. JI used his 100-400mm Canon lens, sponsored by Outdoorphoto, to take some stunning shots!

Our first elephant of the trip. Yep, JI took this one!

We decided that Khumaga was too close to the reserve border (and people) and headed back to Njuca Hills for a second night. Both of us just love the wilderness feel here! We arrived back at camp around 13:30 and quickly put up our hammocks. The trees just didn't seem to line up correctly, so we used the Hilux and its Easy-Awn to make the perfect resting place for the afternoon! This is the good life!!

Relaxing at Njuca Hills...Island style!

After a loooong nap, we decided to play a bit. Before the Serengeti Trip started we promised ourselves that we'd make fire on the trip without using matches, flint or any other "easy" fire-making tools. We are only allowed to use the environment! So I tried. Armed with a log, a long narrow twig and some dry grass I made a massive fool of myself. There was smoke (I think), but no fire! I'll try again and I WILL succeed!

At least I tried, people!

We ended the afternoon on the plains next to Njuca Hills, filming each other as part of the documentary we're shooting. As amateurs we're still due to make a lot of mistakes and this afternoon it was JI's turn - after filming me and asking me questions for approximately 20 minutes we realised that he hadn't pressed record! Yep, we shot it all again... And to end a great day in the pans we were treated to a magical African sunset!

Filming at sunset.

Tomorrow we head towards Hwange in Zimbabwe, but we'll see how far we get.

Thanks for reading!

Villiers

Highlight of the day:

Villiers: Sleeping in our hammocks for almost two hours!

JI: The herd of 80-plus gemsbok we saw this morning.

Lowlight of the day:

Villiers: Finding a fence between the Boteti River and us.

JI: Seeing very little game in the Khumaga-region, after expecting so much more...