I spent the better part of last week on the road and went to Maun, Shakawe, Samochima, Mohembo, Ghani, Chukumuchu and Tsodilo. These villages are in and around the Okavango Panhandle, a pristine area in Botswana,known mostly for the Okavango Delta.

Mixing charity work and a bit of downtime. Shakawe River Lodge provided us with nothing but absolute joy and comfort. They apologized that they did not have their famous huge Okavango bream but smaller sized

ones, which we devoured under a candle lit dinner on Thursday evening, as there was a power outage. This was after a long slow drive from Maun to Shakawe. The road is painfully horrible,with lots of pot holes. Motorists have taken to driving on the sides

Of the road, which is gravel. An off road vehicle is best. The villages reminded me of the Barolong Farms, where villages are 10 or 20 kilometers apart. What was striking for me having been to Shakawe and Tsodilo twice is the beauty and diversity of the

people, there are the Wayeyi, Bambukushu, Basarwa, Baherero amongst others. Yet their languages are not recognized officially by the government of Botswana. I will talk about this one day. One can also feel the warmth and hospitality of the people.

We incidentally got ourselves a guide, Boy, in Samochima and Shakawe.This was after he took us on a sunset cruise on the gorgeous Okavango River.The ride was fun and he performed a few water sport tricks for us. It was superb.

Chased the sunset. Boat cruising.

We drove to Mohembo, Ghani, Chukumuchu, on gravel road which was much better than the Maun Shakawe road. The scenery was beautiful.Spotted lots of cattle on the road and no elephants, yet there are lots of them in the area.

Someone who was assisting us insisted on us being accompanied by a localwhich turned out to be perfect. She was worried that we may come across elephants and possibly that were only females. It turned out to be fantastic drive in the wilderness.

What was evident is that these areas are really poor, ke gore people live in abject poverty. Another topic for another day. I constantly asked myself why is that after 50 years,it's only now that a primary hospital is being built in Shakawe.

And many of the village there have an airstrip. Yet tarred roads are rare in those areas. Where did it all go wrong?Many issues that needs to be addressed. One of my fave villages is Chukumuchu, its strikingly clean.I was there 5 years ago and its still.

Tsodilo village is home to the Realm of the Ancestors, Tsodilo Hills. The Hills are imposing from Chukumuchu and beautifully visible on the Nxamasere road. My second time there, I only learnt on this trip that there are water springs

Our guide, Lopang, an incredible young man who has a brighter future as a guide, took us to Sediba sa Kgalapotsane. It was a steep short hike. A prayer is said before one can go down the spring as a way to let the Ancestors know of your presence.

I prayed in Setswana and Lopang in Sembukushu, a trully exciting and fascinating process.The rocks leading down into the spring are very slippery yet he went down so easily. With a little fascination for rock climbing, I joined him.

Since it didn't rain much this year, water is shallow. A few doves were there, a peaceful and beautiful view. I enjoyed the serenity of it all.Tsodilo is a UNESCO Heritage site. A rich history, rock paintings,lots of trails, excellent for walkers and hikers.

Another place of interest is the Krokovango and Leseding Information Centre in Samochima.Its a crocodile farm home to an 85 years old croc.They have profiled indigenous trees for various uses from treating snakes bites to making beer. Its worth a visit.

Mohembo Bridge, which looks majestic from the road, maybe useful to people but without proper roads in the villages around it, it maybe be difficult to see its use except for a few things and its beauty. A story for another day.

Water dug canoes:mekoro, are the order of the day. I wondered why we dnt have water spots in Botswana when kids as young as 15 can be seen rowing http://mekoro.One  of our guides said he had been rowing mokoro since he was 12.We are sleeping on talent.

Botswana is beautiful and diverse. Choose where you want to go and enjoy.
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