Day 19: Khwai River Hippo Pools Campsite – Mababe River Lodge

Today we only have a short 39 km direct route to the Mababe Riverside Lodge. So we choose the route north of Khwai along the river to the southwest and meander along the water.

It is incredible how this trickle of river with its marsh grasses ensures the survival of the animals at this time of year. Just a few hundred meters beyond the green fringe, the land is dry, dusty, gray. And hot. It is 44 degrees.

We see elephants, of course. Hippos, of course. Warthogs, waterbucks, springboks, kudus, vultures, ospreys and marabous. And four lions. They had apparently killed an animal of which there was little more than a few innards and bones left. And they don't seem quite full, as a lioness tries to catch a warthog. Failed attempt.

Just before we leave the river bank, we see a monitor lizard or a "water monitor".

It's interesting that there is also a community campsite along the river (Maghoto Campsite). With the equipment that the South Africans usually have in their trailer, you could easily camp here for a few days. Not for us at the moment, as we can't cope with the broken solar panel and charging while driving and could really use shore power today.

Unfortunately, the baboons in Mababe Camp have completely destroyed the restaurant, so we have to cook for ourselves. Otherwise, it's nice here with a mini pool, cold drinks and each campsite has a ablution block with a shower/toilet/sink. Now that's what you call luxury :-)