Day 4: Salambala Community Campsite -> Victoria Falls

Today was a day of bureaucracy. We had to do two border crossings today – one from Namibia to Botswana through Ngoma bridge and the second from Botswana to Zimbabwe through Kazungula.  In view of that we started early from the camp. We were worried of the rain which might make our drive through the mud towards the main road more difficult. But it turned out to be ok. As there were no rains yesterday night some water has already dried up.

The border crossing at Botswana went without any problems. At the gate we had to “please” the guard to compensate for the road permit that we were supposed to get Katimo. We were not aware of that. When we rented the car we had specifically asked the car rental firm to arrange all the permits required for the crossing the border to Botswana and Zimbabwe. So the issue of road permit came as a surprise.

The road from Ngoma bridge towards the Zimbabwe border is through the Chobe NP. That gave us our first opportunity to see wild ellies. We came across 3-4 herds of ellies on the way and that was nice.  Before entering Zimbabwe we stopped at Kasane to withdraw money and also to look for a public telephone booth to call home. In this age of mobile phones there seems to be no more public booths. It has been almost a week since I called home and my SIM card was not working either.

When were at Kasane it started raining heavily again. We decided to take a break till the rain subsided. We had lunch at a hotel restaurant on the banks of the mighty Zambezi river. It was a beautiful place. As the rain stopped we proceeded towards the Zimbabwe border at Kazungula.

The border crossing was a real mess. One feel sorry for the sad state of affairs in this beautiful country due to some mad men. Poverty, corruption, bureaucracy and chaos all in one place. We ended up spending almost 2 hrs at the border and had to spend around 1000 BWP for some unknown charges one after the other. And this was inspite of having all the necessary permits for the car and the visas!!!! Somehow we were able to cross without any further trouble.

The road from the border to the Victorial Falls was good. But the going was slow as the speed limit was 80/100 kmh ( I am not sure!). We reached the Victoria Falls Rest Camp in the evening. I was too tired from the events of the whole day. And the Lady was sicker than yesterday. Slowly I am getting worried about her as once we enter Botswana tomorrow there will not be any contact with the outside world for the next ten days till we reach Maun. I really wish that she will get better and enjoy the rest of the journey as we planned.  Right now all I could think was to take rest for the reminder of the evening.