Where we left off, we had finished Southern Chobe and were headed to the Northern regions- several hour drive (again, these are on sandy roads). Though most of what we saw in N. Chobe weren’t new things, they were differences due to the water levels this time of year. Water is so plentiful that it’s where moms stay with their babies.
We arrived in the afternoon and set up camp. There were HUGE insects everywhere- but they were dead. Geoff proudly presented several beetles that were larger than his thumb. It's winter here, so they were dying off from the cold. Perhaps if we had arrived a few days later, we'd have hit the jackpot. I found a fully in-tact large dung beetle, which was pretty exciting. Our site was in a shaded tree area with lots of leaf litter, which was an ideal place to look, at any rate. While we set up camp, Dennis and Can-do changed a tire that was low. While we drank our tea and watched, I realized that perhaps they were not as "in awe" of the nature here as we were (notice what they've used to block the tires from rolling).
We had time to take a short safari ride before we had to head to town to pick up water and petrol. We saw a honey badger shimmying across the road, but it was too fast for me to get a picture of it. It was here that we finally got a good look at a skeptical hippo, baby giraffe's, more impala, lion cubs left alone while mom was out (presumably) hunting, baby water buffalo and lots of baboons. Here is a short video of a baby that settled right beside us to sift through some elephant dung, looking for food.
We saw two lion cubs sitting on this old tree- what a classic safari picture, huh? Dennis thought the mom was likely out looking for food and left the cubs there, as the positioning was relatively safe. There was a squirrel running all over the tree, seeming to be very agitated at their presence, shaking its tail at them and chirping. The cubs were very interested in it, but didn't seem to know what to do about it. Here is a short video of a baby that settled right beside us to sift through some elephant dung, looking for food.
Then, we had to drive into Kasane to get fuel before it got dark. Geoff, who had been whining about KFC since arrival, finally got his fix. I think he just liked the irony of being so far from home, and out in nowhere, but there was a KFC. There are more KFC's here than McDonalds'. Geoff also took the opportunity to buy every wooden hippo carving he could find to bring home for family. I bought some bowls.
On our long ride back into the reserve, we passed a few animals. We saw more mongoose, a water buffalo that looked like it had "the rage," Elephants (lots), a mama elephant with her young (the baby was copying everything mom did, digging a mudhole and spraing herself with sand) and then a pride of lions that seemed to be suffering from a Carbon Monoxide leak. We learned later why.... Dennis was hauling ASS getting us to our site, since we didn't want to be shot by the military- we were out past curfew.
The next morning we took our last safari ride. This outing proved to be very prosperous in regard to hippos. They were all over the place- even really close to fresh water crocs. We finally got to see some warthogs that were NOT running away from us. This little family was happily chomping away at the water grasses.
As we reluctantly leave the park, we pass where the lions were sedated the previous evening. In our awe of them, we failed to look at the other side of the road- where their kill was. They had taken down a water buffalo and were stuffed to the brim and were relaxing when we saw them. During the night, hyenas had chowed down on the bones, and vultures and STORKS had arrived. Did you know storks were scavengers?! I had NO idea. It makes sense in retrospect, with the body build and bald head, but it was startling to see it. I would have been less shocked if it had been staggering around with a drunk baby to deliver.
The plan was to drive back to Kasane to drop off the Canadians at a hostile, as they were heading off to Victoria Falls. I know Geoff really wanted to see those falls, but he graciously backed out, 
knowing I had to be back in Stellenbosch on July 18th for classes. At the rate we travel in the beetle, we'd barely have enough time as it was- let alone if there were any car problems. Plus, that all hinged on if the car would even be repaired when we got back to Maun. Once the Canadians were dropped off, the rest of us would drive for 8 hours back to Maun, through the sandy parks. On the way out of Chobe to Kasane, we got a flat tire. Other than getting stuck in the sand one time, this was the first time we'd had any sort of troubles. We were strictly told to stay RIGHT by the truck while they worked.
We drop off the Canadians at their barbed wire encased hostile that looks more like a refugee camp. We don't even get ten minutes away when I hear rhythmic hiss. I look down to see a flat tire- a very flat tire. That's flat tire #2 for the day. Since we just used our spare earlier in the morning, we have none left. Thankfully we're in Kasane, so there's cell reception, and Dennis lives there, so he has lots of contacts. Within ten minutes a truck arrives to pick Geoff and I up and takes us back to town. We're to kill an hour while they get the tires repaired. We get KFC for the "staff" (I again abstain, on principal) and lots beer for the long ride ahead.. We had no idea that these beers would be our bribes for officials, later that day. Just like in Maun, there are animals running through the streets. Here though, it's not herds of goats, or donkeys and cows, it's warthogs.
We get back in the truck and are ready to hit the road. We're on one of those highs, cause we have great tires, and really, what are the odds that we'll have another flat tire after having two in a row like that? I mean, what could go wrong on an 8 hour drive through sand roads in the middle of Northern Botswana? A lot, as it turns out. A lot.
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