Flying Adventure: Southern Angola – Day 15 (FYRU – FBMN – FBTauPan):

Today we are off to our last destination of this flying adventure. The Central Kalahari National Park in Botswana. It is our second attempt to spot the famous black maned Kalahari lions.

Flight to Tau Pan

From Rundu we fly over the world famous Okavango delta to Maun. The Okavango river, and with that the Cuito on which we camped up in Cuito Cuanavale, empties into the Kalahari desert forming a unique protected eco system. Since our flight over the source lakes of the Cuito river, we now followed that waterway to its final end.

In Maun we formally enter Botswana and re-fuel our Cessna 182 for the final leg to the Kwando Tau Pan camp in the Central Kalahari National Park. Botswana’s largest National Park. With over 52’000 square kilometers it is also the world second largest game reserve.

After we parked and secured the aircraft at the Tau Pan airstrip, we set off to settle into the camp. It is beyond doubt one of his favourite camps, and he is excited to be back. Our goal is to finally spot the famous black maned Kalahari lions. We were not lucky during our last visit. This time we shall be.

Black Maned Kalahari Lions

As he had mentioned before, Tau Pan is one of his favourite camps. It is one of the only camps within the Central Kalahari National Park, and the wildlife sightings are absolutely amazing. Whether you spot a Black Maned Kalahari lion or not.

In addition to spotting the big male, we were also exceptionally lucky to see the old lion’s four weeks old offsprings. We followed them again on day 16 of our tour, and see them playing around in their mother’s care.

And to top it all, we also spotted a leopard waiting for his pray as the sun set.

These absolutely stunning and breathtaking sightings are a perfect closure of this amazing flying adventure to some of the most remote corners of southern Africa.

Flight back to South Africa

Tau Pan is the last destination of this flying adventure, and from here we will return back to Pretoria. On day 17 we fly from Tau Pan to Gaborone. As his passenger’s return to Europe is only scheduled for the following day, we decide to stay over in Gaborone and enjoy some of Botswana’s famous beef. The following day we fly back to Pretoria via Lanseria.

There is not much to write about these last flights back, other than that we were both inspired by new amazing experiences, places, sightings and stories. Inspirations for new discoveries on the next adventure.