After a hot shower and charging all our devices in anticipation of no electricity, we headed to breakfast. There we reviewed the plan for the day and our drive through Moremi Game Reserve. Exciting times ahead. We headed off with all our supplies and ready for 6 nights of camping. We had been receiving conflicting advice about the road conditions and very soon learnt the truth. I was driving the first leg and had my first really challenging driving. The tar road ended quickly and I was faced with dirt road that alternated between washboard, severe potholes and sandy stretches, some very deep. I am pleased to say I managed, Andy of course was loving it, this is exactly what he wanted and allowed him to test low range! We entered Moremi at south gate and exited at north gate. The roads just got worse and worse, potholes were awful. The game sightings were just okay – saw impala, zebra, African ground hornbill, lots of birds and a giraffe but not much else. However, when we exited the park we headed across a rickety bridge and noticed a large pod of hippos. Spent some time watching them and then headed on to Dijara where we saw an abundance of wildlife – giraffe and elephant sightings were the best. We arrived at the campsite and went to reception – a small sign with a scull at its base and a viewing deck. We met the camp manager Andre, a South African hunter who is now giving back. Living in a tent, managing this campsite in partnership with the river bushman. The campsite is named after the bushman and Afrikaans word and means “many years”. This was a spectacular place, totally unspoilt with each campsite having its own ablution facilities. They were basic, a canvass structure open to the sky with a toilet and a bucket shower. It has a pulley system – you fill the bucket in the morning and the sun warms the water. It has a showerhead and works pretty well but best to take a shower when it is still warm outside as it is quite fresh. Our campsite was on the banks of the river kwai and no fences. Dinner was a braai as we had a long day or travel and still needed to set up camp. This was also the night for apple crumble and custard made by Melissa and I – was a lot of fun and it was devoured by all. We ate near the river and the hippos were a little bit active so we retreated to the fire after dinner. That evening we were woken by hippo sounds, elephants and a pack of hyena who actually came into our campsite and paid us a visit. We all stayed in bed and just experienced this from the safety of our tent!

Passed 3,000km’s today!!!