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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.
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.
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.
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.
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".
Johannesburg - Photo Credits: Romina Facchi
We transited several times from Johannesburg, but we never visited the city; often for us it was simply the airport where we started or ended our trip; but this time, as we stayed here a few days, we decided to visit it.
We did not feel like visiting it alone; one thing is driving on the highways to cross it; another is venturing into the neighborhoods and suburbs of an African megalopolis that we do not know and that has the fame of not being very safe.
We take a guide, advised by the hotel, and start off to discover Joburg.
Shopping - Photo Credits: Romina Facchi
After greeting our friends Anna and Alberto, who left to Botswana, we moved with the help of the offline maps by Google Maps for a very important mission: shopping!
Sure, because in Johannesburg we are certain to find shopping malls with supermarkets that do not make us feel the nostalgia of our Esselunga while along the way we will find only a few shops with little supply and local markets where usually there are only tomatoes, onions, potatoes, the ubiquitous bananas and some seasonal fruit.
This morning we got up early, not only because usually in Africa we adjust to the rhythm of the sun but also because this morning we had an appointment at the airport; our friends Anna and Alberto landed today and so we joined them for a coffee.
Even they, like us, are great fans of Africa, but unlike us, they have traveled much in the Sahara desert, Alberto is an expert in desert, cars and motorcycles; we have always been more attracted by the Sub-Saharan Africa with its savannahs, forests and even its deserts.
Dr. Livingstone - Photo Credits: Romina Facchi
Well, well, we bought online a used car from Bushlore, one of Johannesburg's biggest charterers who is changing its car park, but of course we had never seen it before today.
What an emotion! Finally!
We arrive at the car park and our car, a Toyota Hilux accessorized with a canopy made by Alu Cab, is there in the middle of the square with several people around it who are cleaning and arranging it for us; we recognized it from the plate, one of the few things we've seen before, along with some pics.
Johannesburg - Photo Credits: Romina Facchi
Our Qatar Airline flight arrived in perfect time at OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg; every time we land in Africa for us it is a very strong emotion, the feeling is to be back home.
We have been away from Johannesburg Airport for a few years, the last time it was when we went to Zambia, while since last time in South Africa it has been a while, many things have happened in the meantime and we are very curious to find out how things have changed, if they have changed.