Unfortunately we had to change plans for the next day. We were to head south again into the salt pans again but a combination of factors prevented this. Mike and Linda had oil-seal problems and headed to Maun to get it fixed but the group was to carry on with our guide Dave. So, also leaving Chris until we see him again when we re-enter Botswana, we were to head straight for the town of Nata to refuel and buy a few supplies. On the way we detoured to the Baines' ...

We continued driving north (me in the safari truck again) leaving the Central Kalahari National Park. We hit the bitumen and headed into a small town called Rakops to refuel. We spotted a bakery and made a detour to buy freshly baked loaves, a wonderful change from the now very stale and crumbly bread we had purchased in Windhoek. Back on the tar for a short time then a turnoff down a dirt road led to a small river and a car ferry. The ferry would have fitted ...