Hungry Hippos

Crocodile on the bank
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The road from Maun north into Northern Botswana was of most interest. Were most municipalities would put a budget aside for road maintenance, it appears Botswana cuts corners and just puts up a sign warning, 'Potholes Ahead'. This coupled with stray donkeys, giraffes and elephants makes for one hell of a hair raising drive in the truck this day.

Our target is the Chobe National Park, a small but animal intensive reserve fed by the Chobe River and providing the meeting point of four countries. After bouncing along the highway we arrived to put up our tents amidst an infestation of banded mongooses. The little critters looked cute from afar but up close as they exposed there razor teeth you realise that these weren't for cuddling. Further to our woes we were informed that the hippopotamus deterring electric fence was down for maintenance. So anybody heading down to the pool or bar was warned that they may be ordering another round for our river dwelling friends if they weren't too careful. Luckily we had a date on a river cruise along the Chobe River system for some sunset game viewing.

Group of baboons
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Armed with a couple of chilly bins filled with grog and some snacks were soon the envy of all other participants from competing firms. However our smirks were reduced when all 25 of us were piled onto a 12 person boat that had minutes earlier blown out one of its 250cc engines. Therefore barely able to stay afloat we putted along the river in a dismal splutter. Apart from the speed issues the animals were out in force. Hippos lied in the shallows ears twitching and groups of baboons frolicked with elephants and crocodiles on the shores. It was excellent viewing made all that bit more relaxing with some nibbles and a couple of pilseners.

Buffalo wallow in the mud
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We arrived back at camp to find the fence restored and the pool devoid of invaders. The campsite bar was alive and a couple of the girls on our trip took full advantage. After meeting a couple of Zimbabwean boys they took off after close to procure more alcohol from a prison before illegally crossing borders to bathe in hot springs frequented by elephants. I imagine there were other motives to their escapades but rather them than us I say, especially in a random environment like we are now. As we're becoming rather accustomed too this late in our journey, Emma and I opted instead for a quiet game of cards an an early night. That was until the girls came stumbling back past at 4.30am in the morning.