We woke up to the wonderful song of the White Browed Robin Chat (Heuglin’s Robin) and many other bird calls. It was really magic to wake up along the Okavango. We first went to the jetty from where there is a wonderful view of the main river. The river was already flowing strongly and the waters would soon be beginning to rise in the Okavango. We walked across to reception along the meandering path. A little bushbuck appeared, but quickly dived into the thick bush again. Stephen looked at a very old tractor lying in the grass, which must have done some hard work on the wild terrain in the old days. We enjoyed some birding in the lovely and well cared for lodge gardens and then it was time to go shopping in Shakawe. On my last visit to Divundu in Namibia, there was only the fascinating old time grocery store and we would probably not be able to find much of what we might need to go back “into the wild”. I suggested we go to the new Sefelana Store in the old part of Shakawe, because my impressions from past experiences of Choppies were not so good. Sefelana was quite a reasonable grocery store and both Petra and I found what we needed. I used all my Pulas except for a 100 Pula note which I would keep for a next visit. We filled both Troopys with diesel because we understood that fuel would be more expensive in Namibia. We were now ready to head for the Mohembu border which is just a few kilometers north of Shakawe. Both Stephen and I were keen to see if the legendary old ferry was still transporting vehicles across the Okavango. We had used it with our Nissan when we went to the mokoro poling station at Seronga. I had known about the new bridge that was being built and we could see the impressive structure towering above the flat landscape. The road signs showed the turnoff to Seronga, but a few hundred meters further there was a clear No Entry sign. Although virtually complete the bridge had not yet been opened. Workmen we asked said that it would open the following week. So the old ferry was still going, but these were its last days. Another African ferry was about to disappear. It was rather sad for us to see. We have had the privilege to have used many of the old ferries before modern bridges replaced them. There are not many left now. Progress is sometimes sad!! We had lunch at the ferry station while watching the “old world scene” for a last time. Now it was time to tackle the border. I have crossed Mohembo border post many times on my tours and also privately and it has always been a pleasant experience. Once again everything went smoothly. The new buildings were well maintained, and the toilets were spotless. This is very different at most border posts! At the Namibian side we had to go through the health screening process, but it went smoothly. Our vehicles were not searched and in no time we had arrived in Namibia. From the border one drives through the lovely Mahango section of the Bwabwata National Park which stretches all the way across the Caprivi to Kongola. Everything looked lush and it was a big contrast to my last visit about four years ago when the area was suffering a devastating drought. We saw zebra, impala and got a glimpse of roan antelope. I was very keen to spend some time in this small park the next day and show Stephen a park that I had got to know quite well. We checked the cost and took a map at the park reception and then headed for Ndovu Lodge, where we hoped to camp. I had stayed there with my tourists, and I had had a good look at their lovely campsites previously. The long bridge that we crossed across a backwater was an excellent birding birding spot and we would see many different birds on the numerous times that we crossed it. Sadly, Ndovu was full, but the owner kindly phoned Ralph next door at Mahango Lodge, another place I was very familiar with. They had plenty of space and it was great to be there again. We chose the furthest campsite and then went to enjoy the view from the high lookout platform at the jetty. There were waterbuck peacefully grazing across the river and later a huge herd of buffalo arrived. This area is famous for birding, and we decided to arrange for a boating trip for the next afternoon with a bird guide. We found our campsite rather muddy, because it had been watered too well, and Troopy left quite deep ruts in the lush turf. We had another lovely evening around the campfire and the big black pot came into use as I made a double emergency meal and we also braaied wors from Shakawe. The showers were warm and the facilities good. We slept well on our first night in Namibia.

Geschreven door Leartravels