May 29-30: Maun

First, I have to correct a major mistake in my last post and composite video. You know that prize footage at the end of the very long video in which the “white rhino” came down to drink at the water hole, well, as my brother Mark pointed out, it was actually a “black rhino”. I think I was only expecting to see a white rhino so I just described it as such, even though my description of a white rhino (square muzzle, large shoulder hump, and pointyish ears) clearly wasn’t true for this animal. Now that I relook at the video it is clear that it was a black rhino. Chaulk it up to over excitment!

Second, I took a detour from my planned itinerary and drove all the up to Maun today to take the Green Dragon to yet another shop to try and resolve the frontend alignment issue that continues to plague me. Note, the vehicle is fine and in great working condition other than the alignment, and I am reassured by all the professionals (4 shops now and a 5th tomorrow) that I can drive the vehicle as is and it will get me where I want to go like few other vehicles could. I will let you know if and when this gets resolved, but regardless, I am in Maun for the next 2 days before heading to the Central Kalahari.

In case you were wondering about the landscape in the southern half of Botswana through which I have been travelling. Recall that Khama Rhino Sanctuary sits on the eastern edge of the Kalahari Desert, as does Maun. SO, between there and here it is pretty much a completely flat landscape with thornveld vegetation – a very boring landscape to drive through at 90 km/hour since it is so monotonous, but it can be a different story when driving slow on dirt roads while looking for wildlife. The biggest challenge of driving through this part of the country, other than falling asleep at the wheel (thank goodness for audible books and podcasts), is dodging cows, donkeys and goats on or crossing the road at frequent intervals.

Since I have nothing else to report, how about I simply go for some more anectodotal wildlife observations from the past couple of days.

“I feel pretty, oh, so pretty, I fee pretty and witty and bright!”

Lilac-breasted roller

“I wish you would stop calling me Zazu, I never even saw that movie”

Southern red-billed hornbill

“I’m not having a bad hair day, this is just the way I look!”

Blue wildebeest

“Life was actually “life” when there weren’t automobiles and roads”

African civet cat

“If I stay really still, I don’t think he will see me”

Klipspringer

“Is that me that stinks?”

Plains zebra

“We’re your friends, we’re your friends, to the bitter end (the bitter end)!”

White-backed vultures (on carcass)

9 thoughts on “May 29-30: Maun”

  1. So glad you saw a rhino yesterday, Kevin. That is special!

    And there were also lapwings at the pond, weren’t there? How great is that! You did notice the birds didn’t you??? (Ha! Ha!)

  2. Re: the black rhino, I actually watched your video w/o sound (I was in a public space) and thought black rhino (pointy face), but Mark confirmed it (thank you!).

    Sorry about the alignment issues — that has to be frustrating, and tiring on those long straight flat roads. Good luck getting all wheels pointing in the same direction!

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