39 Degrees C in the Shade

Matombe, Botswana
November 28th, 2008

Waking at 5am in Jo’burg, packing our car and friends (Dirk, Marindi and Kids), we set off for the infamous Matombe. The. Legendary. Matombe. Home to many a crazy week where Spring Hares are treated to running races rewarded only when they lose by feeding them a shot of Brandy. Home of the black Mamba snake who frequents the camp visiting people on hammocks and in huts. Home to the unpredictable elephants who often surprise vehicles on the road. And home to many cat lives lost by all who visit (well maybe that’s just Karel and his youth).

A decent drive by our standards and a difficult or rather delicate drive by parents of children under six, we arrived at the Tuli-Block border post mid-afternoon. Able to drive across the river crossing due to dry conditions we headed to the camp. We arrived and it was perfect. There were basic traditionally built huts, an open air bathroom with shower and a kitchen under a lapa. It was magically rustic yet charmingly post with hot running water!

The camp is set up near a water hole and is essentially in the middle of nowhere (similar setting to those in Saskatchewan but even more so). Elephants and giraffes can be seen wandering around with impala. Lush bababs dot the landscape, along with amazing anthills larger than life (well maybe just mine).

The heat is incredible, like nothing I’ve ever experienced. Movement is too taxing. Sleep is too uncomfortable. 39 C in the shade. Thankfully along with our car came our shower, a garden weed pump sprayer. With eager children looking for entertainment and adults hoping for relief from the heat the solution was fixed. Enjoying the spray downs by the kids, we cooled down as best as we could.

Driving on the Landy was brilliant. A proper game viewing truck with open seats and limited shock absorption helped to set the mood. Feeling fully African we set off on several game drives. A night drive where we unwittingly disturbed a group of elephants; trumpeting we quickly reversed. A sunset drive with sundowners underneath a babab tree and an evening drive seeing baby black backed jackals were some of the many highlights.

When we weren’t driving in the evenings we sat around the fire listening to the air, thick with the sounds of the African orchestra. The sounds of crickets and insects buzzing and listening to baboons barking madly will forever echo in my mind. Eating like Kings thanks to Dirk and spending time with friends, old and new, who are well versed on the bush was extremely special. Thanks Dirk, Marindi, Andre, Natalie and kids.