Ngepi Camp

I slung my backpack over my shoulder Saturday morning with my new-to-me
inherited tent and sleeping pad, bound for the famous Ngepi Camp. It's
about 11 k away down the road to Botswana, on the Kavango River.

I walked for about 4k before I got a hike, and thank goodness too because it
was HOT. It was worth it though, as the camp is as beautiful as everyone
says. And has very clever toilets and showers! For instance, there's
"Poopa Falls" - a play on a nearby waterfall called Popa Falls :-) There
are "tree houses" available which are gorgeous huts elevated a bit off the
ground. Those were pricey though so I stuck to my tent. (unfortunately
though, a tent pole is in need of some repair).

This area on the river is famous for hippos and crocodiles...i only got to
see the hippos. Apparently the water is too high right now for the crocs.
The croc/hippo swimming cage is still in use, however, and I took a quick
dip. Fun! (until the ear infection started the next day... :-(

I met a really lovely retired couple, and boy did I wish I could have spent
more time with them. Instant connection really. Then there was the
uncomfortably aggressive South African tour guide that I couldn't get to
leave me alone.

Tent-sleeping left quite a bit to be desired...i'm very bony, you see, so a
sleeping pad doesn't help me much. And I sort of forgot how much colder it
can be by the river...so I was uncomfortable AND freezing. But the quiet
was lovely.

OH, it wasn't THAT quiet...i heard elephants this morning! WOW! Apparently
they were visible last night, but I missed them. And of course, hippos are
quite audible as well.

I'll definitely go back to ngepi, though a camp site was a whopping $85
namibian...$10US. Regardless, it's great to have such a lovely oasis so
near by.