Bring It On Botswana

Sunday, August 14th:  After our week in Kruger National Park, we headed north into Botswana.  It took us about 1 1/2 hours total to exit South Africa and successfully enter Botswana.  We drove roughly 9 hours to the Rhino Sanctuary, where we spent the night.  The campground check-in office was right off of the main road, and then you had to drive back to your campsite.  Considering our car's size, Jeff checked with the staff to make sure it would make it back there.  They assured us it would, so we set off for our campsite.  About 30 seconds into our drive we found that our poor Picanto was bottoming out in the sand drifts and didn't have enough power to plow through.  It got to the point that I had to get out and push so that Jeff could get the car out of the sand (please note that we weren't supposed to get out of our car because there were rhinos in there).  We struggled to get back to the check in area as four-wheel drive vehicles zoomed by giving us questioning looks as to why we would attempt that drive in our little car.  Once we booked a ride back to our site (P50), we gathered our stuff for the night and headed out in a four-wheel drive vehicle.  Seeing how the truck barely made it back to the campsites, we didn't know what the front desk was thinking when they said that two-wheel drive vehicles can make it back there.

Travel Tidbits: We used the google directions to get from Kruger National Park to the Rhino Sanctuary (Via Groblers Bridge/Martins Drift: R71, R528, R71, R567, N11, A1, & A14) and it was very easy to follow.  All of these roads are paved and fast.  We had no problems at the border crossing, but be advised that when you are paying the road fees (P120) at the Botswana border you will most likely need cash due to their credit card machine "not working".  The exchange rate will be pretty bad (we paid R180), so having Botswana Pula is best.  There is a safe, clean and cheap gas station right after crossing the Botswana border.  Also, Please note that the road back to the campsites at the Rhino Sanctuary is not accessible by 2WD, unless your vehicle is high clearance. 

Monday, August 15th:  After a very windy night, we set off for Maun, which was a 6 hour drive.  We stayed at the Sedia Hotel Campground.  The hotel had an AfroTrek office on site, and we booked a 3 day and 2 night Mokoro trip through them, which left the next day.

Travel Tidbits: The roads from the Rhino Sanctuary to Maun were paved and pretty good, except for a few patches of potholes.  We took the A14 to A30, and then the A3 towards Maun.  The campsites area was good at the Sedia Hotel, and the hotel amenities were nice.  Also, there is a shopping area and a SPAR about 3km down the road from the hotel.