Pom Pom Lodge

Okavango Delta, Botswana - Our trip to Botswana went so smoothly it was almost spooky. Aside from a little skirmish with the customs officials who were overly interested in my bike-in-a-box, the trip was smooth sailing. We flew in a tiny five-seater across the Okavango Delta, which was amazing, and then we were greeted by the staff of Pom Pom Lodge, singing a traditional Tatswana welcome song.

Don't ask me why it's called Pom Pom Lodge. It seems like an unfortunate choice of name, but it's really wonderful. Ten luxurious tents (I know that seems incongruous but they really are lovely) set around a lagoon that is teeming with hippos.

There are game drives every morning, with plenty of animals but also a coffee break. Afternoons are devoted to siesta (which we desperately needed after our 24-hour commute). And evening game drives, centered around sundown drinks. It's all very civilized.

I can't possibly recount all of the adventures, but it has been a thrill to see the herds of zebra, impala, red lechwe and wildebeast grazing in the grasses.

On our very first day, an elephant wandered into the camp and startled two women when they emerged after their siesta.

That evening we spotted a gorgeous leopard as she was waking up from her afternoon nap.

Now we are leaving the life of luxury to set off on four days traveling across the Botswana bush.