Actually, old sport, at least one of the main gates to Madikwe is just a mile or so across the Botswana/South African border, about half an hour from Gabs on the Tlokweng Road.

But why go there? Why not drive up the Francistown road from Gabs all the way to Chobe -- more lions, elephants, hippos, giraffes and such other beasts as warthogs (radio-controlled pigs as we called them) than you can shake a stick at. But don't shake a stick at them. They don't like it.

Meanwhile, all those adherents of north-east-central Africa must pay attention to the latest paen of pain out of that region -- this one from the vaunted Kenya. Told ya so. Any tenderfoot Yanks planning a trip to the dark continent, once again I say, would be better off going to Botswana. When was the last time you heard of strife there? Answer: Never.

Also remember that "safari" is a Swahili word meaning charge the white man a lot of money to cart him around the bush and point out an animal. Better always to hie theyself to a place and spot them yourself.

As an old Botswana, Zim (don't go there now) and South Africa hand, I'd be delighted to help anyone who needs/wants guidance.