The Maun to Botswana leg...

The transfer to Botswana Air was a short wait but easy. Twin prop Russian plane with American props says Paul. Cruised at 20,000 feet, maybe seats 60. Very smooth.







In Maun, a tiny airport, we got our luggage, walked thru immigration, then thru security/xray for the next leg. Security? We just got off the plain. Anyway, we walked out onto the runway to the single prop Cesna, 4 seater and 2 pilot seats. I sat up front with the young girl pilot. Once the rest of my party and luggage crammed in, tight squeeze, she cranked up the propeller. Then pulled on the choke. My lawn mower sounds more impressive and more powerful. Down the runway, takeoff. As we lifted, we drifted, back and forth, up and down, any little wind current or twitch in her hand swayed us. It was so cool! Throughout the whole 20 minute flight, the plane swooped or dipped, or got pushed left or right; but none of it felt like a speed bumps or turbulence you feel in a large plane that often unnerves me. Ballooning still cooler, but this was sweet.




I could see the pilot, flight path and co-ods in ink on her hand, messing with the guidance equipment, checking our heading. Then a large swoop to the left, and ahead you could see the runway.





































Landing was as much fun (almost) as takeoff.













We get off the plane, the jeep was there and waiting to take us to our first camp, camp Sandibe. As we loaded, Paul as he did in Maun on the runway, while we were loading the lawn mower, strayed onto the runway for photos. He got shit then, and he got shit now. In Maun, it's only a plane that could hit you. Here, there were three lions on the runway just last week, so one should not stray from the vehicle.