Via Doorndraai Dam with a wonderful small reservoir (SA) and Francistown (Bots) we reach the impressive rocky landscape of Matobo NP after an adventurous drive and exciting border crossings.

Good roads, lively with donkey carts, bicycles, goats and cows lead through very clean and the longer the simpler villages with draw wells.

In the rock formations of Matobo, rock paintings of peoples who have long since disappeared adorn the caves, but above all we enjoy the tranquility, wildlife and the fascinating environment. At the small reservoir we find wonderful places to spend the night and around the campfire with good food, beer and wine we enjoy the quiet luxury of the evenings in the African bush.

Dust dry and arid, that's how Hwange's south awaits us. Elephants, elephants, elephants - this is our first impression, but we also see many other things. The park is run down, but it offers a ride through a wide variety of ecosystems and thus a great wealth of wildlife. We spend the night at the Kennedy 1 campsites, a tiny, badly fenced private site and the main Sinamatella and Robins Camps. In between there are exploration and observation trips through swamps, at water holes, through savannah and bush. In hiding places we watch game and birds, cook hash browns and fried eggs for breakfast and enjoy the exchange with four people.

Of course, in Vic Falls a visit to the impressive falls and a (too) short detour to the Zambezi NP are part of the program.

The dream of all Africa fans will come true once again: From Kasane we drive through the area of the Okanvango Delta with the Chobe and Moremi NP to Maun.

Only the shoreline is green and full of life, besides it is not only dry but arid. We spend the night in the middle of the elephants of Ihaha and continue to Linyanti, where we wish a crane would rescue us from the trumpeting herd of elephants.

A highlight is our unfenced place in Khwai, Maghoto, where we hear the wild dogs calling. The way to Xakanaxa and finally to Maun leads us over sandy tracks and through swamps. A fascinating flight in a small airplane over the delta shows the water landscape from above. In the current state mainly islands and greenery, but in between the remaining water areas, in which we can see all kinds of animals.

Via Ghanzi to the southwest, we drive on the Botswana side to the cross-border Kgalakgadi Nationakpark, where the very dry savannah prevails, in between dense thorn bush and littered pans, i.e. water points with and without water. The camps with little shadow houses, toilets and fire places are not fenced: it is not uncommon for them to be meeting places for humans and animals - for example lions. When we escape into the car, the cold beer stays in the sun! The nights in Mpayathuthlwa, Motopi are eventful and the crossing - partly on the roof of a car - from Botswana to the South African part is exciting. Also in the more popular area of Mata Mata, Twee Rivieren and the wonderful Rooiputs, we enjoy the variety of bush and dune landscapes with a wealth of animals. Last nights at the Barberspan Bird Sanctuary.