Day 12: Tsodilo Hills – Swamp Stop Campsite

The alarm turns on early and we are at the gate at 6:30 am.

Lopang recommends combining the Rhino Trail with the Lions Trail (which of course costs us more), but the almost four hours are entertaining and fun. Now and then we have to climb a bit – overall the paintings are a bit more scattered than in Twyfelfontein in Namibia. It is interesting that the 4,500 paintings were apparently created over a long period of time and that there are also technical and cultural differences in the way they are created. The drawings of the San, for example, are white, unlike all the others.

Lopang also tells us a lot about cultural backgrounds, about spirituality and trance and the differences between “medicine men” (who use plants and other things) and shamans (who heal with their own power).

And Lopang tries to teach us clicking sounds, which we fail miserably and completely at.

After a small snack, we set off south at midday – a second night with nothing but dust and donkeys is not very appealing.

The Swamp Stop campsite, on the other hand, is great and is located right on the "west bank" of the Okavango Delta. Yes! We are on the Okavango Delta! It was a dream when we were at school!

We have a totally relaxed afternoon and have very entertaining and interesting conversations in the evening. First, Marie and Patrique treat us to an aperitif with rum and juice and we completely lose track of time. Later, we join Gesine and Swen with their two sons for a beer and chat for the rest of the evening. Wonderful!