After a leisurely breakfast, we leave Planet Baobab and Gweta and head via Nata towards Kasane in the north-east corner of Botswana. This is where the countries of Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe meet and a lot of freight traffic is handled here. Well, it has nothing to do with European conditions, but during the course of the journey we actually see a lot more trucks than before.

The route itself is quite dull and seems to have been cut into the landscape with a laser. Most of the time it is straight through the savannah, interrupted by a few fields and small villages. In Nata we buy food and water at a small convenience store and don't stay there any longer. The highlight of the route is several elephants crossing the highway directly in front of us, a giraffe follows them in one case and otherwise it is cattle and goats. Later on a single bull elephant crosses again - what an experience when you can otherwise do 120 km/h and make such quick progress.

After a short picnic, it is only an hour's drive and we arrive in Kasane sooner than expected. Here we find our accommodation, The Old House, although only on the second attempt, we have our room keys at around 2:30 p.m. The lodge is big enough for all amenities and small enough to ward off package tourists. Very individually furnished and connected to the Chobe River by its own jetty. However, the warning signs that warn of crocodiles and hippos should be taken seriously, because as soon as we step onto the jetty the ladies in our group see the first crocodile disappearing into the reeds.

But before we bother any more animals, we immerse ourselves in African culture and go to the center of Kasane. Well, that's a big word for a town of around 10,000 inhabitants, but the open market near our accommodation is well worth seeing. Food such as vegetables and dried fish is sold, but also clothing and souvenirs. We haggle over several lengths of fabric that Tina wants to use to sew skirts and tablecloths, as well as a bag for Marie-Luise. Another quick stop at the local Spar market ("My Botswana, my Spar" is the slogan) and we make our way back for a well-earned sundowner.

We enjoyed the dinner so much that we gave up our original plan and decided to spend the coming evenings here again rather than visiting the surrounding lodges. The atmosphere of this lodge is wonderful and sitting with a view over Chobe and enjoying a gin and tonic is just too tempting.

Weather: hot and very pleasant in the evenings.