Day 20: Mababe – Muchenje

There was a lion in the area last night. The locals are obviously a little more alert.

We wake up at 6:00 am and have breakfast, but then we need to fill up with water and fiddle around for three hours before we can get going.

As we didn't get any accommodation in Savuti in the Chobe National Park, we have to drive 193 km to Muchenje today, on pretty bad roads.

We take the recommended Marsh Road and drive through a grey, dusty, windy plain. In the distance, herds of elephants are probably moving from the Khwai River to the Savuti Waterhole or the Chobe River – in any case towards the water.

A little variety at Savuti, hills and taller trees and also more wildlife (giraffes, antelopes).

We jolt along, leave the park at the Ghoha Gate and land at the Savuti Airstrip. Wrong turn. The road parallel to the road continues and doesn't get any better: hot, dusty, the track sandy with deep ruts and waves. What else did we experience? First a lioness in the grass under a shady tree. It was a coincidence that we saw her. Then first aid while repairing a tire for three Germans in a rental car. Later the highlight: six (!) cheetahs. Right on the track, outside the park. Dozing but still alert. How great. The next day, both in conversation with the operators of the Muchenje Lodge and at the gate to northern Chobe, we realize how rare the sighting is. And another attempt to help a local's broken down car. The battery, as he suspected, is not the cause and we can't help any further. In Muchenje at the gas station we hand over a message and a phone number, with the request that the information should passed on. We used a lot of diesel (16.1 l on average), drank many liters of water and tea and made it to our campsite just in time.

A short tour of the campsite, a first experience with the monkeys here (a package of disinfectant wipes disappeared from the car in no time :-) – do the monkeys have a weakness for alcohol?), lighting a fire and cooking cold food with leftovers from the last few days. Later, a quick shower and off to bed.

What a day!