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Hi @Peter Connan   Yes, there are indeed camping facilities at Chitengo - now that construction work at the main lodge is tapering down I would imagine it is a more pleasant place to be than my last visit, but this site lacks wilderness appeal and there is no opportunity to camp outside the confines of Chitengo. However, for many years, self-driving has not been permitted - as far as I'm aware that remains the case for next season, although I will ask the question when I'm back in July. The decision was made not to permit self-driving owing to a few close calls between vehicles and the notorious Gorongosa elephants. There was talk of opening up a new route network solely for self-drivers in areas very rarely used by the elephants, but this always struck me as a strange idea - the one thing Gorongosa does not need is more roads in the core game-viewing area, and I can't imagine self-drivers would be too enamoured with the idea of having to use roads in significantly less game-rich areas of the park.   For now, those camping in Chitengo can only use the safari vehicles shared with other guests staying at the main lodge.

A fascinating report. Wonderful photos of the Gibbons towards the end, really beautiful. I hope you are successful with the Pygmy Elephants!

Thanks so much @KaliCA, glad you enjoyed it. Might be stupid but I'm never nervous about the Dogs. AFAIK there are no reports whatsoever about them attacking humans in the wild. There was one incident with a child but that was in a zoo. Lions are a different story, seeing them on foot is very exciting - and the reason I'm wearing khaki pants when walking. 😁

Dear Michael, thanks so much for your amusing narrative and the wonderful gorgeous Mana pictures. You had some amazing sightings and how can you be so calm and take pics of lions while being on foot and so close, or the Wild Dogs. What an experience to have them play next to you.  Really enjoyed your report.  all the best from Katrin

And BACK. Read the sequel. But it was a lovely Lodge and I commend it to everyone. Management, Staff, Food, Wildlife were all wonderful. I will post what we did when there later.

Well coming in from south to North West would act as a stimulant. When you hit that river Hoanib you are well committed and will just press on as you are much nearer the exit by then. Dangerous thinking I know but.... As for Rental equipped Hi Luxes. Advanced have always been good to me (even turned the Nelson eye to our trip down Van Zyl's until after the event then wanted photos for Facebook.) We got a hi lift jack and spare tyres but not a lot more. I bring Gaffer tape and lots of cable ties (for fixing things that 'fall off') but I hate that damn spare under the body. I take it off in WDH and sling it in the back. Must work as it rarely gets needed away from helping hands. But I have known of other outfits that send their cars outwith little more than a toothbrush. Inflators that don't work, knackered wiring and a wind up jack with no handle.

Lovely snake @Kitsafari.  I wish I had it living in my back garden.

To be continued .....

the human word worked out well! i could read the word. I've never heard about the overnight camping on such trips and kudos to you guys for doing it.  Thanks for sharing the enjoyable TR. 

those B&W photos provide quite a bit of ambiance to them so you certainly turned them into positive opportunities! what a beautiful mama and baby Giant anteater. 

Spoor tracker adventures also has amazing packages on mobile camping safari in Botswana. Please visit www.spoortrackeradventures.co.bw 

oh dear all those not really positive surprises during the journey would have tired anyone out. Thank goodness the lodge looked like a great place to recover from the exhaustion.  You both did well to complete the journey there!

Thank you @Towlersonsafari for the encouraging comment! I almost did like the snake too.... 

Okay no worries, thanks for the feedback.  

Wow, no small feat getting there. But you managed, well done. Probably wise to avoid the „dagger stare“.