& Beyond Xaranna Tented Camp
I am now at & Beyond Xandara Tented Camp which has 9 tents in another part of Botswana's Okavango Delta about a 15 minute plane ride (did I say small plane) from Sandibe. These are the lux tents. Each tent has it's own plunge pool, a/c (when it works) a huge king size bed with mosquito netting (a must) and a large dual sink bathroom with a separate tub and shower. Very pretty and impressive. 
It is hot as in H.O.T.! We awake at 5:00 am for our coffee and biscuit, and then at 5:30, off we go. Yesterday, we were out until 2:00 pm which was a bit too long due to the heat. We think it was over 100 degrees. The African sun is brutal. Staying hydrated and covered was the answer. I will provide a suggested packing list at the end of my journal with a few comments about heat, coverage and keeping hydrated.
The game here is not as plentiful as Sandibe. Instead of turning the corner and finding an elephant herd, we are seeing an isolated elephant or elephants in the distance.
We've met some very nice people along the way. A couple from Santa Monica getting married at the end of the journey, a mother and son from Holland, Brian who trains the guides for & Beyond to name a few.
The pace on safari is leisurely. Getting up in the morning when it is dark is a challenge (I would recommend leaving your clothes for the next day out the night before). We have our coffee (Jeff - hot chocolate) and biscuit then go on a game drive. Half way through the game drive is a coffee break (bathroom break). After the drive around 10:30, there is breakfast. Lunch is around 1:30, then a rest, then tea is at 4:00-4:30 then another evening game drive or a boat ride around the Delta. Finally, drinks around around 7:30 then dinner is served at 8:00. What a day, right?
Tomorrow, is our 1 hour 15 minute ride to Zambia. We have been warned that it is bumpy and in a 6 seater airplane. So, wish us luck and I'll tell you all about it in the next blog.
Mari
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