I’m spending the weekend in Botswana, which is honestly the most gorgeous place outside Cape Town I have ever seen. It’s the first time I’ve crossed the border and left South Africa. The excitement of having my passport stamped for the first time has worn off and now I’m looking forward to some African adventures.
Being here almost makes me feel like African-Americans do when they talk about Africa, perhaps it because Botswana is home to my mother tongue, Setswana.
As someone with a bit of a penchant for adventure, I had to jump at the opportunity to go camping, especially in Botswana. I spent the night before the departure packing supplies; food, water, a tent and other things that Bear Grylls would call luxury items.
It’s a late and chilly afternoon in July. We’ve been in the vehicle for hours, driving southwards from Notwane – an area just outside Gaborone – making our way in the hard working vehicle over sand dunes towards our designated camp site somewhere deep in Khutse Game Reserve.
We wobble through the dunes, munching on pork pies and various other tidbits we had packed for nibbling purposes. Suddenly, Mike, our guide, slows down pointing out towards the left at a sign that reads: The Tropic of Capricorn. I let out a yelp of excitement while he fumbles for the camera somewhere in the backseat. I stand next to the sign and the records my momentous crossing.
The day rolls to its perfect end as Mike sets up camp; the red, orange and yellow hues of the sun melting into each other across the clouds in the sky. It is breathtaking, standing there and not being able to pull your gaze from the gorgeous sunset.
Soon, the tent is set up, the fire is roaring and a fillet steak is cooking on the gas burner. Holding a cup of tea, blanket wrapped around my body, sitting in the camping chair watching ‘FTV’ (fire TV) – life is perfect, and yes, I almost feel like I’m home.
Contributed post by Boipelo Seswane.
(Image credit: Alan, CC BY-NC-ND 2.0, via Flickr)
Renee Blodgett is the founder of We Blog the World. The site combines the magic of an online culture and travel magazine with a global blog network and has contributors from every continent in the world. Having lived in 10 countries and explored nearly 80, she is an avid traveler, and a lover, observer and participant in cultural diversity.
She is also the CEO and founder of Magic Sauce Media, a new media services consultancy focused on viral marketing, social media, branding, events and PR. For over 20 years, she has helped companies from 12 countries get traction in the market. Known for her global and organic approach to product and corporate launches, Renee practices what she pitches and as an active user of social media, she helps clients navigate digital waters from around the world. Renee has been blogging for over 16 years and regularly writes on her personal blog Down the Avenue, Huffington Post, BlogHer, We Blog the World and other sites. She was ranked #12 Social Media Influencer by Forbes Magazine and is listed as a new media influencer and game changer on various sites and books on the new media revolution. In 2013, she was listed as the 6th most influential woman in social media by Forbes Magazine on a Top 20 List.
Her passion for art, storytelling and photography led to the launch of Magic Sauce Photography, which is a visual extension of her writing, the result of which has led to producing six photo books: Galapagos Islands, London, South Africa, Rome, Urbanization and Ecuador.
Renee is also the co-founder of Traveling Geeks, an initiative that brings entrepreneurs, thought leaders, bloggers, creators, curators and influencers to other countries to share and learn from peers, governments, corporations, and the general public in order to educate, share, evaluate, and promote innovative technologies.
