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Southern Africa's Deserts
Soweto - Photo Credits: Romina Facchi
Although Soweto is part of Johannesburg, from an administrative point of view, its origins and role in the history of South Africa give it a unique and distinct identity.
Soweto is the acronym for "South Western Townships".
Ready to go - Photo Credits: Romina Facchi
This morning we wake up at dawn and make a quick breakfast, today we finally begin our expedition!
We cannot wait to go on an adventure with Dr. Livingstone, because the car is ready, we did the shopping, we also made a tour to visit Johannesburg and Soweto; but today we really start our journey.
We check out at the hotel, load the last things and start off.
On the road - Photo Credits: Romina Facchi
This morning we left at 7.00am from Johannesburg, our hotel was in the airport area so we are already in the right direction and we are close to the highway we have to take.
We head for Pretoria along a four-lane highway; if it were not for some acacia trees on the road, we would struggle to understand that we are in Africa; we look forward to the landscape becoming a little wilder.
Khama Rhino Sanctuary - Photo Credits: Romina Facchi
Tonight we slept at the Khama Rhino Sanctuary near Serowe in Botswana, as it is winter, the nights are cold, but we, in our car, were really ok, as we are equipped for any occasion.
This morning we woke up at 6.00 am, before dawn, it is so cold that, if on one side, we are afraid to go out on the other, it is too nice because for us it means African winter and safari.
We drink a quick coffee, close the car and start off, today it is the first day of safari on this trip and we look forward to it.
Makgadikgadi Pans - Photo Credits: Romina Facchi
We leave the Khama Rhino Sanctuary, near Serowe in Botswana, and head West, following the indications for Orapa, the "capital" of diamond mines; Botswana extracts 12% of diamonds in the world.
From here it is 140 kms away, but we first stop in Letlhakane town, this is the last town we encounter before we cross the Makgadikgadi Pans complex, a set of salty and dry lakes that cover a total area of 12,000 sq km, the largest salty depression in the world.
Kubu Island - Photo Credits: Romina Facchi
This morning we got up at 7am, here it gets colder in the morning and so we had breakfast in relax on our table surrounded by baobabs; then we closed the car and went to place ourselves in a better pitch for today, with the view on the Makgadikgadi Pans.
Makgadikgadi Pans - Photo Credits: Romina Facchi
Early this morning, we admire a spectacularly warm dawn that only Africa can give, we have breakfast and then we greet our British neighbors living in South Africa and we go; today we go on the track that from Kubu, or Lekhubu, Island leads up to A3, the road connecting Maun to Francistown.
Planet Baobab - Photo Credits: Romina Facchi
We stop for the night near Gweta at the Planet Baobab, a legend and a landmark for the camper drivers, and for all the travelers in general, who pass through the Botswana tracks.
It is 7 km East of Gweta and near the gate of the Makgadikgadi Pans National Park and 70 km from the gateway to the Nxai Pan National Park where the Baobabs of Baines are located; it is in a strategic position to visit both parks and the staff arranges off-road excursions and a quad.
Nxai Pan: Baines Baobab - Photo Credits: Romina Facchi
This morning we woke up at 6:00 am, out it is still dark, we dress and have breakfast on our coffee table, located next to the car and under a straw roof; we are at the Planet Baobab near Gweta and the camping here has many comforts.
The air, as always, is sparkling and drinking a nice hot coffee in our metal cups is just what it takes to get you starting the day well.
Central Kalahari: Matswere Gate - Photo Credits: Romina Facchi
This morning we leave at dawn, we greet the Planet Baobab of Gweta, when we pass here we will definitely return because it was very good and we enjoyed the atmosphere.
We arrive at the A3, the main road, and turn left in the direction of Maun; behind us there is an amazing dawn, we admire it from the rearview mirrors.