Botswana & Namibia Solo 4×4
Glipmpses from a journey to sublime nature in Southern Africa: Chobe national park in Botswana and the Zambezi region in Namibia. After many very pleasant trips with clients, firends and family to Africa, somehow I began to yearn for a self-drive on my own. I wanted to sit by the fire with only me below the southern sky, only me listening to the lion´s roar. This is it. And more may come.
Thanks to Rob at Moving Pictures Africa – whom I met by chance while camping in Chobe – for friendly chats and suggestions. Thanks also to Falls 4×4 in Victoria Falls for great service and a well-maintained Land Rover 110 that I rented (https://fallsx4.com).
The idea was to do camping six nights, but some weeks before the trip Gondwana Travel informed me that Chobe River Camp, where I had booked camping two nights, was closed for refurbishment. Instead they booked me (at no extra cost) in Zambezi Mubala Lodge at the northern edge of the Caprivi strip. I could not complain.
Speaking of the night sky, at 6:15 is a capture of it. The southern cross is visible in the lower left, and the two pointers alpha and beta centauri close to the bottom. Alpha centauri is four light years away from us. The two magellanic clouds – galaxies 160 and 200 thousand light years away – are visible on the right side. Gazing at stars is time travel..
Equipment used
Canon EOS R6
Canon R 100-500
Canon RF 100-500/4,5-7,1 L IS USM
Canon RF 16 f/2,8 STM
GoPro 11
Music: www.artlist.io
How did I manage to camp on my own in Chobe?
You have to plan in advance. You are not allowed – and it is bad advice – to walk to the ablution block in the dark. I took my shower during the day. I made the main meal in the afteroon, before going on gamedrive around 4 pm. I had breakfast after the morning game drive. In the evening I only took a beer and peanuts, placing the camping chair with my back to the car and the fire in front. During the night you need a flask if nature calls. A headlamp is essential and a good torch as well, as a complement. You look for eyes in the dark around camp, in the evening and in the early morning. My best coffee maker was a small Bodum Presso called Kenya.
Somehow I had imagined that solo nights in the wild would be full of demons and fright. But I guess I have slept so many times in tented camps with lions, buffalos and hippos very close by at night, that I must have got used to it. But this will of course vary from person to person.
Aside from the harmless Giant African millipede the first camping night, I encountered very few disturbing insects, spiders or snakes; in fact none. Aside from mosquitoes.
Source: Channel – Full credit to the creator. Visit the channel, leave a like, and subscribe to stay updated with all the latest content!
