Day 19 - Pandamatenga

What a terrific night at Elephant Sands. After dinner we sat outside the caravan until 10h30. The elephant came and went all night long. Occasionally they would trumpet or make low frequency rumbling noises. It was interesting watching them take turn drinking. Anyone going out-of-turn would get a scolding from the “elephant in charge”.

That night, they walked past our caravan and all you could see is a grey ghost walk buy without any noise. One wonders how such a huge creature can be so silent.

We departed from Elephant Sands at 07h30 and arrived at Panda Rest Camp at 10h00.

We setup camp before setting off on the Hunters Road northwards along the Zimbabwe border. Most of the road consists of black cotton sand that rattles the vehicle and the occupants to bits. Luckily the road was dry otherwise the road would have been impossible to travel along as the black cotton sand turns to slimy mud. There is no border fence between Botswana and Zimbabwe and a lot of poachers try and poach elephant in Botswana. We came across 3 army patrols and were told we should not be driving along the road due to the threat of poachers hi-jacking vehicles.

The Panda Rest Camp is pleasant with a Bar, Restaurant and Pool and each camp site has it’s own tap and electrical plug.