Thursday, 21 August 2025

21 August 2025 Thamalakane River Lodge Maun

 21 August Thamalakane River Lodge Maun

We were all a little sad to say goodbye to Gomoti Riverside Lodge which was such a beautiful and unique place.





Thankfully breakfast was not at dawn and we had a slow start with breakfast at 8 and ready to go at 9:30.


When we went to pack our stuff we found a bar of soap that we had bought at the super market had been nibbled, right through the packaging! I bet what ever it was was disappointed when it got to the soap. Also we had some muesli bars of Sandi’s in our cabin and again, some little rodent had, had a go at them!

 

We were still in the open sided trucks for this journey and started with a quick game drive.


Back onto the sandy track we went and we did spy a few small creatures. Then suddenly from behind the bushes six large elephants chose to cross the track in front of us and this happened!



What a breathtaking and bum clenching moment. The only reason I didn’t let out some little squeaks was because this elephant was right in front of me, looking me in the eye and sending me a message to bugger off!


I almost feel like I need to delete all of my previous elephant photos and just save this video. 


On we went and it wasn’t long before Lance asked me if I had brought the toilet paper with me. “Bushy bushy” went the cry and Eddie stopped the truck. Lance was out like a shot with toilet paper and wet wipes in hand. He tried to grab the shovel off the side of the truck but it wouldn’t budge and he couldn’t wait.


Poor Lance had an emergency evacuation!


You could see the relief on his face when he appeared from the bushes. He shared his technique with is all just in case any of us were caught in a similar perilous condition. 

  1. All pants off
  2. Hold on to a firm tree
  3. Lean backwards
  4. Release

Worked well for him!


The drive back was dusty and bumpy. This is not a track that we were driving on, it is a proper road with road signs and everything.



Arriving back at Thamalakane River Lodge we left the trucks behind and were met by Richard our tour guide. Our rooms here are nice and we have a view over the river containing hippo and crocodiles. And of course we enjoyed another African sunset.




We had a lazy afternoon which we really needed, and had dinner under the stars with the rest of our group. The food was really good, in fact the best we have had since leaving Cape Town.


Writing this from our netted bed, I could get used to this mosquito netting!

USD, Pula and credited cards accepted. 

 

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