Botswana The Jewel of Africa

Vinkie spent two years and 3 months in this paradise of Africa and without doubt enjoyed some trips into that part of the world. The best parts of Botswana are shaded green and blue on the map. Vinkie's home base was Gaborone (Gabs), the capital of Botswana. Unfortunately Vinkie never visited the blue parts, but then Vinkie is a sand man and did some of the green parts.

The Central Kalahari and the Gemsbok National (Bots)/Kalahari Gemsbok (SA) (now called 'The Kgalagadi Game Park' due to a settlement of political differences) are still on Vinkie's agenda.

This picture was in a town (village?) called Letlhakeng. It is on the way back from the Makgadigadi pans to Serowe (which is the way to Gaborone). Great restaurant!!!

Vinkie has been to the Northern parts from Kasane on the Namibian border to Maun through the Chobe Game Park and slept a day on the Savute Marsh as well as at Kubu Island in the Makgadigadi Pans. The stretch through Chobe is an experience not to be missed. Lots of game and lots of sand.

The Nata Sanctuary as part of the Makgadigadi Pans is where the flamingos live after the pans have dried out. Vinkie was fortunate to find it at the start of the rainy season.

This ostrich was doing a good 60km/h and was not going to change his direction. It actually accelerated to ensure running past us. (Unfortunately Vinkie does not have better pictures).

Vinkie has been to the Khutse Game Reserve on at least four occasions at totally different meteorological times (meaning Summer, Winter, hot, cold (almost never cold)) and this is a piece of virgin country. Nobody lives there apart from the Game Rangers. It is only 200km Northwest from Gaborone with the first 100km in 1hr but the total trip to reach it takes a good 4-6 hours. Sand . . . sand . . . sand . . . and hot as hell. There are absolutely no facilities apart from a long drop???????? in some of the designated camping spots (long drop=field toilet).