We had breakfast and headed off on an early start, as we had a border crossing today. Gray, having done his homework, as always, found us one of these obscure, little border posts to head for. All the more exciting because it was called - Pandamatenga.
After breakfast we headed off south east and back through parts of the Hwange Reserve and then into the Matetsi Park.
We arrived at Pandamatenga around 12:00. When Panda chooses an obscure border post, he does a good job, we were the first car through in a week and the officials were so excited to see us that the paperwork went through in double quick time - so they could chat to us for a while. No mans land and then the Botswana side- likewise the lady was so excited to see us and we got treated like royals passing through. The Zims rotate their officials monthly, so the guys only had a month to sit around and twiddle their thumbs. The Bots people have a 4 year rotation - shame, you really have to do something bad to land up there (like sleeping with the bosses wife).
Just as we were congratulating Gray for the easiest border crossing yet - there was a surly gate guy waiting for us. Then it all went pear shaped; we had to dip our feet in some old, dirty liquid (all except Gray had flip flops on) - what foot diseases we hadn't picked up in Africa, we now have. Then he started on the car and trailer - we knew we couldn't take meat into Botswana and had given what was left in the fridge to local villagers along the way. We still however had to unpack the boot as the fridge and cooler box are at the bottom. Once satisfied, our cheerful official started on the trailer - we , as I have mentioned have a sick trailer and have to tie and ratchet the top down every morning - so now all had to be untied, locks opened and trailer opened for him to inspect our bags, pillows and sleeping bags.
This guy would have made a great employee for Aussie Border Patrol - still he was just doing his job.
With everything repacked we headed off through a dipping trough for the car - only to be stopped less than 100km later at another check point. This time we all managed to locate takkies and hide all other footware (as this also has to be dipped - by hand) and head through the wet cloth trough. This time, after unpacking the boot only, they took away our tomatoes - guess we had the rabid sort. Then the car was back into the dip. All this was a right pain in the arse - but they have have big foot and mouth problems in the area, so this is understandable.
Shortly after entering Bots we came across an 'elephant crossing' sign and yes - there was this big bull Ellie crossing the road - where is the camera when you need it?
We drove through Nata, another little African town and headed to our destination for the night - Nata Lodge.
We are using Botswana as a route home and not touring around. We have been fortunate enough to travel Botswana fairly extensively over the years and have had some awesome game viewing experiences. However, it is a popular destination and with the European holiday season starting, we would not find accommodation in the parks as we had not booked ahead.
This being said, we decided not to draw out the home stretch and head home tomorrow - so this is the last night of our African adventure.
Gray has this deal with us; on our camping trips around southern Africa, we always spend our last night in the best place available. One of our best was after 3 weeks in Mozambique to stay in the Polana Hotel.
Tonight, he did well again, we booked 2 huts at Nata Lodge – they were big log cabins, neat and very comfortable with bush decor. It had Gray’s best, an outside reed shower and a ball and claw bath for me.
Robs and I hit one of the best stocked curio shops we have come across - you know you are in desperate need of retail therapy, when you spend 1/2 an hour in a little shop selling African curios, which you are not going to buy.
Nice as our accommodation was, the food in the restaurant was definitely forgettable and below average.
Our last sunset
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