It was sad to be leaving the Central Kalahari. Soon we were on our way to Matswere Gate. This road was once again very slow going. It must be the most frequently used track in the park. Although it was only 38 km to the exit it took us at least an hour and a half. An overland company’s service truck was impatiently trying to pass us and we politely pulled off to let the vehicle pass. This was a mistake, because now the truck slowed down and we had to sit in their dust. I was a bit concerned that we would once again have to do some careful and patient explaining about our booking, but the young man on duty was super friendly and did not even ask for papers. The two chaps from the truck were also signing out and they were also very friendly. I decided not to say anything about the dust they let us drive in. Instead, I enquired about the shortcut along the fence and via Kuke Corner to Maun (Stephen and I had driven this road on or last visit many years ago). They were going to drive this route and told me that the road was fine. We ditched our rubbish in a trailer available for this purpose (one cannot dispose of rubbish inside the reserve). There was actually a distance board outside the gate – 166 km to Maun. The gravel road next to the fence to Kuke Corner was in fantastic condition and we made good progress. At Kuke Corner we stopped for morning coffee. The lady at the veterinary fence was also very friendly, but we were on our way to Maun and not to Tsau, so we did not have to go through the gate. After Kuke Corner the road became a track and the closer that we came to the tar road, the deeper the sand became. We noted that there were many wild camping possibilities along this track for future reference. Back at the tar, we pulled off into the shade for a lunch break. There was hardly any traffic and the people did not bother us. I was rather fascinated by a man who carefully and almost lovingly tethered his donkey and he made sure the animal was well tied up before he left it in the shade. Stephen and Paul now pumped the tyres again. Since we were moving from east to west, we were free to move through the veterinary fence without being checked for fresh meat. We did not have any left anyway! Soon we joined the A 1 to Maun. I had not been to Maun for a while and I could not believe how the town has grown. Paul and Petra were hoping to find a laundry to “dump” their big bundle of washing, but it proved to be a hopeless mission. I enquired about buying some Malarone tablets for malaria, but discovered that they do not stock this prophylactic in Maun. They only stock the remedy - Fansidar. I suppose it makes sense. Locals do not use it and tourists normally bring their own with them. We decided to go to the Situtunga campsite 15 kilometers out of Maun. It was highly recommended on iOverlander as well as on the DriveBots Facebook site. It was indeed a great place to camp and the bonus was that they would do our washing for 60 Pula per full bag. Tom, the guy at reception was very welcoming and helpful. Stephen and I decided to also “go lazy” and we handed over a big bundle of washing too! We were soon settled and enjoying the free wifi and good facilities. There was only one other couple in the campsite. We chatted to them, but the fellow was a bit of a know all. We found the way to the Thamalakane River and enjoyed some good birding. It was already a bit too dark for taking pictures. The level of the river had already started to rise, but most of the water was still making its way down from the north out of the Angola Highlands. We enjoyed great hot showers and a fun meal at the restaurant. Earlier when I went to check the menu, I was informed that they could not offers pizzas, because their cheese order had not arrived. I was very disappointed, but then the owner heard about my disappointment and went off to town to go and buy some cheese so that we could have pizzas! After supper Stephen decided to check for owls and to our surprise a little Pearl-spotted owlet was sitting on a branch in the tree next to our camp site. It was a beautiful sighting. The little owl was not startled, and we could photograph it to our heart’s content. It was quite strange to be in a normal campsite again, but we did miss the wild camp experience.

Geschreven door Leartravels