MEMORABLE CHOBE OUTING
A one day jaunt into Chobe left a pack of journalists insatiated
It is always such joy to be able to travel and for a day, hours of a week, absorb the sights and sounds of a particular destination. For many, traveling is their happy place.
Whether one is travelling to a favourite destination, or a getaway into one of the most unspoilt places in the world, we all need to travel to experience life and just appreciate Mother Nature and the wonderful job that she did when she created this world.
Prior to Covid- 19, for this reporter, traveling was her happy place. It was one of those things that give her the freedom to get lost amongst the masses at an International airport, and literally enjoy the thrill of running along the boarding gates. Or sit in one of the Restaurants at the airport, and observe the many people from across the world, walking past. And so when, the borders were closed, like most people across the world, she felt suffocated. Even more traumatic was the realisation that her passport would expire while Botswana was in the middle of State of Emergency in March 2021.
Anyway, that is not the issue right now. A while back in April, she received an invitation from the Ministry of Wildlife about a one day trip to Kasane. Ordinarilly, she would have declined the trip. I mean, think about it, who wants to hop in and out of Kasane in a day. You know, Kasane is one of those places in the world, where you just can’t waltz in and out. But travelling fever got the best of her, and she grudgingly accepted the invitation. The occasion happened to be a Media Tour in the Chobe National Park for the Tourism sites that were recently listed in the Expression of Interest ( February 2022) for potential development into Tourism Enterprises within the park. And when this trip eventually happened this Monday, it had already been postponed on two occasions due to various issues.
The eight of us left Gaborone early on Monday morning. We were traveling on a Beach Craft King Air 350. Our pilots for the one- day sojourn happened to be Zibane Mosinyi, and Baile Motse, with Thuso Mafaesa as technician. The trio are all from the Botswana Defence Force. We left a few minutes after 0700hrs. The funny thing about traveling on air is how, you literally miss it. And then as soon as the aircraft takes off, it is a completely different story. The anxiety that comes with being on air, and having to put your trust on the hands of another human being is not the easiest thing. The trip would take an hour and thirty minutes. The eight journalists, were a happy lot. And we used the time to talk about a whole lot of issues. Those who have anxieties even forgot about it, up until when air turbulence kind of tested our faith. The thing about air turbulence is that one minute, you will be sitting there minding your business, and trying to act all calm and confident, and then it will just pounce. And then you silently say your Grace, and wish and hope that those with black magic are not calling out your name.
Landing in Kasane was the best feeling in the world. It was great to appreciate the beauty of the Airport, and how it continues to develop. It has been years since this reporter had been in Kasane. And the developments are impressive.
Located in the North Eastern part of Botswana, Kasane is near Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe. A beautiful and fascinating town, the drive from the Airport to town was incredibly breath taking. However, on this particular day, the town was bitterly cold, too cold for one who had hoped to get the right pictures and absorb as much as she could. Our first destination happened to be Chobe Marina Lodge for breakfast and a briefing by the Minister before departing for the park. One thing that you need to appreciate Kasane for is the beauty of the landscape. It has these endless landscape and untainted beauty that leaves one spoilt for choice. The rolling hills, and the landscapes are to die for. Adding the fact that there is abundant wildlife also gives this place its timeless beauty.
Chobe Marina Lodge itself is breath taking. The lodge was recently given a new look. And it is to die for. One part of the hotel overlooking the mighty Chobe River created this Rainforest atmosphere complete with luscious green vegetation and mist. For those who like to take time to relax, and fine tune their Chakra, this is the right spot.
Our trusted driver happened to be Ntsosang Ntsosang, a very charming Tour guide. The Chobe National Park itself is paradise for nature lovers. The tour of the sights offered the media with the chance to appreciate and have a better understanding of the sights for the planned expansion into the park. This is such a commendable effort on the government, as they wish to open up more opportunities to Batswana in tourism. We can only hope that those who will have the opportunity to tap into this unique chance, will preserve the park, and give guests products that are worthy of the money that they will spend.
A tour into a national park will not be complete without a bit of drama. Somewhere between site number 3, we heard over the radio that a lone lion was spotted. It was then that some decided right there that they would not be disembarking the vehicle at the said site. Some of us don’t like to test African tradition. Upon arrival at one site that would earn the nickname Mmadinare, there was a whole herd of Buffalo’s. Park Manager, Mbututu Mbututu informed us that we should not disembark, and we were there thinking, who in their right minds would dare attempt something like that. Buffalos are very dangerous, and we were not ready to wage world war 4 with them.
Meanwhile, the highlight of the whole tour was seeing the difference between the sites. Ideally, most have access to the river, but our favourite was site number 8. Whoever will win this one, they have their work cut out for them. You can literally see the River from where the site has been marked.
Now returning back to Chobe Marina Lodge, we exited the park at Route 15. What this means was that the media was at the mercy of the cold front which was not a pleasant experience. While the majority of those in the tour were lucky enough to be travelling in closed vehicle, we were not so fortunate. The wind was literally slapping us, and we even joked that by the time we arrived in Kasane, our faces would be cracked. The drive felt like it was taking hours, and for the good portion of the trip, it took away the excitement of appreciating nature, and her unspoilt beauty.
We returned to Gaborone late afternoon. Sadly, we were unable to fully immense ourselves in any activity or even have the joy of sipping a favourite cocktail or beverage of choice while cruising the Chobe River.