New Years in Mabua

Wildflowers in the Kgalagadi

The first night of 2025 would be spent in the bush. We were headed to Mabuasehube on New Year’s Day to spend 4 nights in the Kgalagadi. We were off to a rocky start though when a noise from the car first thing on New Year’s Eve sent Dru scurrying off to the mechanic with the hope that they could take a look.  Luckily they were able to diagnose and fix the problem, even though they weren’t even supposed to be open. 

Khutse GR - Day 3

An empty waterhole and more clouds on the way

Our luck had completely deserted us in Khutse. Another bust of a morning drive with nothing but the honey badger that we’d seen the previous day, too far away to photograph. The waterhole was empty bar one eland and 2 gemsbok which all ran before we were even 200m away from them.

Khutse GR - Day 2

Storms all around us

It was a dark and stormy night… 

The storm must have started around midnight when we were asleep and it sat on top of us for about 2 hours. It was vicious with lightning lighting up the sky and the thunder reverberating through the tent. And plenty of rain hammering the front of the tent it was a pretty scary experience hoping that lightning wouldn’t hit us. 

Khutse GR - Day 1

A week after elections and it was inauguration time for the new president. After over five decades in power, there is a new government in place and that needs to be celebrated. Which meant a public holiday on Friday for the inauguration.

Nxai Pan NP - Day 5

One of the baobabs in Nxai Pan

With a long 11 hour drive ahead of us we didn’t want to waste any time, so it was up at the usual 5am and we were out of the campsite just after 5.30am. Not checking out the waterholes - just straight out. The 35 km drive to the main A3 road was largely uneventful although we did see a few gemsbok which we hadn’t caught in the park. And there were more giraffe as well, probably due to there being some nice green acacia trees for them to feed on. 

Nxai Pan NP - Day 4

Baines' baobabs

This is more of the Nxai Pan we were expecting. Not much happening and no sign of cats. The main waterhole was devoid of animals bar a jackal trying to grab a last morsel of meat from the 3 day old carcass. It seemed like a hyena had been there in the night as well as half the skull had been crunched through - plenty of animals had been fed thanks to this kudu.

Nxai Pan NP - Day 3

Time to eat

We didn’t think that the lions would be at the waterhole by morning so we were stunned to drive up and find out that not only were they still there but they had been joined by 3 other lionesses!

Nxai Pan NP - Day 2

Lion at sunset

Despite our early start, we were the last of the 3 campers to be out the campsite and off on the morning drive. There was no question where anyone was going - straight to the waterhole. And we were not disappointed - the 2 lionesses were still at their kudu kill but they were having it for breakfast. We quickly positioned ourselves and started shooting. The lions gave us plenty to photograph, from gnawing at the carcass to pulling it over to get better access.

Nxai Pan NP - Day 1

Arriving at South Gate

Up at 5am and gone by 6am, it would be a long drive to Nxai Pan from Gaborone; about 11 hours according to Google.

Considering many people would have taken Friday off to make it a 5 day long weekend, the road between Gaborone and Palapye - easily Botswana’s busiest road - was surprisingly quiet.

Elections in Nxai Pan

Ready for Nxai Pan

Botswana announced that their elections would be held on 30 October, which would be a public holiday with the following day also being declared a holiday. These holidays would fall on a Wednesday and Thursday so it was a no-brainer for us to take Friday off to have a 5 day long weekend.