Delta of the Okavango

Flight to Okawango Delta

Today was the day we booked our flight to the Okavango Delta. We were scheduled to depart at 8:00 AM, specifically to take advantage of the early morning sun and see as many animals grazing as possible. We packed our tents, skipping breakfast, and arrived at Maun Airport in front of the Kavango Air office by 7:30 AM. An employee confirmed that the booking was valid but his colleague had forgotten to add it to the schedule, so we wouldn't be leaving until 8:00 AM. He offered us an alternative departure time at noon, which we immediately declined because after the flight, we still had a 600 km drive. We negotiated for a few more minutes and agreed to meet again at 8:00 AM in the hope of better news. In the meantime, he tried to find accommodation for us around 9:00 AM, although it didn't seem very optimistic. We left and didn't wait for the situation to resolve itself; instead, we went to two agencies near the airport to inquire about available flights with an immediate departure. On the second attempt We are lucky and book with them, explaining that we will follow up on the booking that was not honored by the other company. At 8:22, we take off for a one-hour tour: it will be a overwhelmed with emotions that will remain etched in our memories. The delta is one of the natural landscapes The most beautiful landscapes imaginable, with endless green fields and streams that stretch as far as the eye can see. organize some games particularly scenic, especially when the ochre color of the sand is visible below the water level. A continuous feeling, made even more special when animals appear: elephants, rhinoceroses, giraffes and hippos swimming o lazily positioned near the water. Buffalo herds black birds are flying below us, while the sun makes the lush green plants It feels like being in a gigantic zoo, with the important difference that the animals live completely free.

Time flies and when we return to the airport, we descend feeling satisfied, confident that we will always remember the intensity of the moments experienced during this nature-focused experience. Breakfast at a nearby beer garden, then we set off for the long journey today. On the road after Maun, the road presents the usual treacherous potholes with a speed limit of 120 km/h, which is later reduced to 80 when the main road follows the Makdagikgadi park; precisely where one could travel faster, the limits are stricter and controlled by police using laser guns. Pets everywhere, and we also witness an accident: a pickup truck overtakes us at high speed, and before re-entering the traffic lane, it cannot avoid a goat crossing the road. The impact is violent and leaves the poor animal lifeless on the asphalt. The driver manages to keep the vehicle on the road, and at least among humans, there are no damages. Nata is a remote place where trucks stop to refuel and depart; the supermarket is quite bare, with only the first row of cans or bottles on the shelves. The sun beats down at 38°C, and the hot air creates the impression of being inside a ventilated oven. We have lunch and continue, as we are already halfway through the planned journey. This time, the direction is north, along a well-paved road that does not pass through many villages but is characterized by relatively heavy truck traffic: in fact, one can see mines, followed by extensive agricultural lands. For several days, we have seen columns of black smoke rising in the plains; these are fires set to burn vast areas of scrubland, but more frequently to create conditions for agricultural exploitation. Once the grass and a few trees covering the land have been burned, bulldozers level and fertilize the soil, preparing it for planting corn or other crops. The area around Kasane/Kazungula is intriguing because it is located on the border between Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe: four countries meet within a few kilometers, and one can barely imagine what traffic converges in this particular place. Despite being an insignificant town inhabited by people of humble conditions, Kazungula has a mall worthy of a wealthy Western city, with luxury shops and everything you could possibly desire, especially given the environment we are in. Long queues of trucks line the roadside waiting to complete formalities for crossing into Zambia, and probably beyond, as we are on the north-south axis of this part of Africa. Given the number of vehicles waiting, it is likely that truck drivers have to stay for days. We return a few kilometers to find our camp, which is located on a sandy detour requiring a 4x4. The place is charming, with a pool where you can observe a thriving herd of elephants, including several newborn puppies, during their evening bath. There is even a covered terrace for those who want to enjoy the spectacle while sipping a drink. Large monkeys roam around, but if you are careful, nothing happens. At reception, we see a young man in swimming trunks lying down with a clear injury on his forehead; we check in and as we leave, we are asked if anyone of us is a doctor. No doctors, but perhaps someone has a first-aid kit, so the young man's wound is stitched up and he feels better within a short time. Definitely, the idea of taking a dip in the shallow pool was not a good one; getting hurt in these places is not an experience to be desired, and ending up in hospital could further worsen the consequences. The highlight of the evening comes when it's time to sleep, when suddenly, the sound of barit