Botswana Dec 2013

Thunder02 · Post by **Thunder02** » Tue Jan 14, 2014 9:58 pm

Ok,so here it goes.

I'm going to try to make this trip report as factual as possible.

We left on the 15th Dec and headed straight for Martin's Drift border post,after paying the 190 Pula multi border pass we entered Botswana.Our first stop was for some fuel @ 9.87 Pula/L

.
We where headed for Khama Rhino Sanctuary as our first stop over.We where delayed by 5 hours at the border due to plenty Zims trying to get home for Xmas.The sanctuary's gates close at 6pm.

e-mail:krst@netspread.co.bw
http://www.khamarhinosanctuary.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The fees are as follows:

Camping/Adult Pula 102.14 per night
Camping/Children Pula 51.07 under 12 per night
Vehicle Fee Pula 248.92

Some pics:

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Sadly the restuarant had burnt down a few months back and this was all that was left

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Thunder02 · Post by **Thunder02** » Tue Jan 14, 2014 10:18 pm

After 2 nights of stunning sunsets and seeing plenty Rhino we headed of to Kubu Island.

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Before heading North to Kubu,a person can stock up on suplys at Serowe,as there is nothing availible at Kubu except wood.Meat at this stage can be taken up north through the vet posts.
The road heading north is tar until you reach a little village called Kgokonyane,there after is single track and pan driving to Kubu,around 60km.During the rain season these tracks are not drivible.

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Thunder02 · Post by **Thunder02** » Tue Jan 14, 2014 10:29 pm

Fees for Kubu:

Adult camping Pula 100.00
Youngsters camping Pula 50.00
Bed levy Pula 10.00
Self walk Pula 30.00

These prices exclude vat at 12% and are per day.The new camp site off the island is not complete yet,so camping on the island is alowed for now.

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Thunder02 · Post by **Thunder02** » Tue Jan 14, 2014 10:36 pm

I must add one thing before I carry on,we never book any camp sites on our trips,and two reasons for that:
1. The rain.
2. December is not season time for Bots,always plenty space.

To be cont.................

Donkey · Post by **Donkey** » Wed Jan 15, 2014 5:41 am

Sweet, who came with you?

Thunder02 · Post by **Thunder02** » Wed Jan 15, 2014 6:56 am

Donkey wrote:Sweet, who came with you?

Chane's brother went with us,Marc.

Danman · Post by **Danman** » Wed Jan 15, 2014 7:38 am

Thunder02 wrote:
Donkey wrote:Sweet, who came with you?
Chane's brother went with us,Marc.

roeland.vlok · Post by **roeland.vlok** » Wed Jan 15, 2014 8:02 am

Neil dit lyk na 'n goeie vakansie in die bos. So kan mens weer mens word!
Goeie kamera werk moet ek by sê!

Thunder02 · Post by **Thunder02** » Wed Jan 15, 2014 8:11 am

Danman wrote:
Thunder02 wrote:
Donkey wrote:Sweet, who came with you?
Chane's brother went with us,Marc.

Not to worry,next time

Thunder02 · Post by **Thunder02** » Wed Jan 15, 2014 8:13 am

roeland.vlok wrote:Neil dit lyk na 'n goeie vakansie in die bos. So kan mens weer mens word!
Goeie kamera werk moet ek by sê!

Thankyou

Will load balance of trip report this evening

GI Jane · Post by **GI Jane** » Wed Jan 15, 2014 9:04 am

Thanks for the report Neil..... Looks awesome so far....

Think it would be great if there was someone on the forum that could upload a map of the route because then we can track the trip, and it can help if we want to plan trips to those locations...

Thunder02 · Post by **Thunder02** » Wed Jan 15, 2014 10:15 am

GI Jane wrote:Thanks for the report Neil..... Looks awesome so far.... Think it would be great if there was someone on the forum that could upload a map of the route because then we can track the trip, and it can help if we want to plan trips to those locations...

Hi, i'll see if I can upload it from Mapsource or even the 276C

I will also add waypoints as soon as I've downloaded from the GPS. Most of the tracks are on T4A.

GI Jane · Post by **GI Jane** » Wed Jan 15, 2014 10:17 am

Thanks Neil, thats good, suppose I could track it on map source but maybe for others that don't have it, would be great...

Post by **Mud Dog** » Wed Jan 15, 2014 7:20 pm

Lekker!

Looks like the base of that Baobab was actually carved the way the roots have intertwined to create what looks like a Da Vinci multiple nudes sculpture!

(Or is my twisted mind just seeing things!

)

4x4BEES · Post by **4x4BEES** » Wed Jan 15, 2014 7:45 pm

That looked spectacular!!
Thanks for sharing and the awesome pics

The Legend · Post by **The Legend** » Wed Jan 15, 2014 7:57 pm

Baie mooi sover Neil.Ek sien uit na die volgende episode

ROBERT · Post by **ROBERT** » Wed Jan 15, 2014 8:08 pm

Looks like the base of that Baobab was actually carved the way the roots have intertwined to create what looks like a Da Vinci multiple nudes sculpture! (Or is my twisted mind just seeing things! )

that's exactly what my wife said when she saw the photo. looks like naked people

Post by **Mud Dog** » Wed Jan 15, 2014 9:43 pm

ROBERT wrote:
Looks like the base of that Baobab was actually carved the way the roots have intertwined to create what looks like a Da Vinci multiple nudes sculpture! (Or is my twisted mind just seeing things! )
that's exactly what my wife said when she saw the photo. looks like naked people

Baobab Orgy!

Post by **Family_Dog** » Thu Jan 16, 2014 7:15 am

Mud Dog wrote:

Lekker!

Looks like the base of that Baobab was actually carved the way the roots have intertwined to create what looks like a Da Vinci multiple nudes sculpture! (Or is my twisted mind just seeing things! )

Andy, then I must have the same twisted type of mind...

Could not help smiling when I saw that pic....... PRICELESS!

Nice report, Neil!

-F_D

Thunder02 · Post by **Thunder02** » Thu Jan 16, 2014 9:49 am

Family_Dog wrote:
Mud Dog wrote:

Lekker!

Looks like the base of that Baobab was actually carved the way the roots have intertwined to create what looks like a Da Vinci multiple nudes sculpture! (Or is my twisted mind just seeing things! )

Andy, then I must have the same twisted type of mind...

Could not help smiling when I saw that pic....... PRICELESS!

Nice report, Neil!

-F_D

Did you guys hear the female ice bear died on the weekend at JHB zoo 29 years of age, Wang the male is now the only one left in SA and they are wondering what he is going to do with himself

Sebata · Post by **Sebata** » Thu Jan 16, 2014 10:23 am

finally the TR is out

, thank you for nice pics

Thunder02 · Post by **Thunder02** » Thu Jan 16, 2014 11:51 am

Sebata wrote:finally the TR is out , thank you for nice pics

Could not load balance last night, CellC was up to usual tricks again and only could pick up "EDGE".

Sebata · Post by **Sebata** » Thu Jan 16, 2014 12:18 pm

[quote="Thunder02"
Could not load balance last night, CellC was up to usual tricks again and only could pick up "EDGE".

[/quote]

what were you doing with Haboob?

Thunder02 · Post by **Thunder02** » Thu Jan 16, 2014 12:21 pm

Sebata wrote:[quote="Thunder02"
Could not load balance last night, CellC was up to usual tricks again and only could pick up "EDGE".

what were you doing with Haboob?

[/quote]
Would you love to know

Thunder02 · Post by **Thunder02** » Thu Jan 16, 2014 6:45 pm

Ok,so lets try again.

While packing up the morning,we came across this friend,who made himself home in Marc's tent.

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We used the north trail which runs along Sowa pan and joins up with the tar road between Nata and Maun.The distance is 95.1km long and plenty to see.

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We stopped for some coffee and enjoy the view.

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Thunder02 · Post by **Thunder02** » Thu Jan 16, 2014 7:21 pm

Our next port of call was Nata Lodge,a favourite stop for overlanders heading north to Kasane.

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Time to lay back by the pool,and enjoy a few cold ones.

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Got to see a really cool overlanding vehicle.

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While strolling through the campsite we bumped into one of our club members.Those "www.hilux4x4.co.za" do stand out.
Robert,was nice to meet you and your wife

Thunder02 · Post by **Thunder02** » Thu Jan 16, 2014 7:33 pm

And here's one for Andy & Eric.It was close to Xmas

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After a fire is lit,what do you do next

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You make a beer bread

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Ingredients:
1 x Whindhoek Larger
500g flour
pinch of salt.
then you can add anything,my usual fav are garlic,pepperdews and olives.
Mix all ingredients in a bowl,put into the bread bin and add cheese on top.
Put some coals on the ground and put bread oven on top.Then pack coals on top of that again.Leave for around 30 minutes.Perfect bread

The Legend · Post by **The Legend** » Thu Jan 16, 2014 7:53 pm

Thunder02 wrote:And here's one for Andy & Eric.It was close to Xmas
Nata6.jpg
After a fire is lit,what do you do next
Nata7.jpg
You make a beer bread
Bread.jpg
Ingredients:
1 x Whindhoek Larger
500g flourpinch of salt.
then you can add anything,my usual fav are garlic,pepperdews and olives.
Mix all ingredients in a bowl,put into the bread bin and add cheese on top.
Put some coals on the ground and put bread oven on top.Then pack coals on top of that again.Leave for around 30 minutes.Perfect bread

Neil i beleive it is 500 g selfraising flour.Am i right?Very nice bread you have got there?

Thunder02 · Post by **Thunder02** » Thu Jan 16, 2014 7:56 pm

Next we were headed to Chobe lodge for some game drives and Tiger fishing.But first a pit stop at Elephant Sands for some info on Hunters Trail.
Ben the owner is always willing to help with the info on the trail conditions.
Info we got was that the trail can be driven.Only flooded area was 20km north and south of Pandamatenga.So it was a go,but back to that later.

The plan was to use Chobe as a base camp and head out to the various places of interest.
Chobe National Park:

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Thunder02 · Post by **Thunder02** » Thu Jan 16, 2014 7:57 pm

Lollie wrote:
Thunder02 wrote:And here's one for Andy & Eric.It was close to Xmas
Nata6.jpg
After a fire is lit,what do you do next
Nata7.jpg
You make a beer bread
Bread.jpg
Ingredients:
1 x Whindhoek Larger
500g flourpinch of salt.
then you can add anything,my usual fav are garlic,pepperdews and olives.
Mix all ingredients in a bowl,put into the bread bin and add cheese on top.
Put some coals on the ground and put bread oven on top.Then pack coals on top of that again.Leave for around 30 minutes.Perfect bread
Neil i beleive it is 500 g selfraising flour.Am i right?Very nice bread you have got there?

Correct

wim · Post by **wim** » Thu Jan 16, 2014 8:01 pm

As dit op fotos so lyk kan ek net dink hoe mooi dit werklik was.

Thunder02 · Post by **Thunder02** » Thu Jan 16, 2014 8:10 pm

And some more......

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Thunder02 · Post by **Thunder02** » Thu Jan 16, 2014 8:25 pm

Some pics of Chobe Lodge,sister company of Nata Lodge.

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We had plenty guests in the camp site which kept the kids busy for hours

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Post by **JohanM** » Thu Jan 16, 2014 8:27 pm

Very nice trip Niel!!!

Post by **Mud Dog** » Thu Jan 16, 2014 8:29 pm

And here's one for Andy & Eric.It was close to Xmas

HAU! :wth:

Nice pics and TR Neil!

Thunder02 · Post by **Thunder02** » Thu Jan 16, 2014 8:44 pm

One morning we were up at sparrow's fart and headed out to Vic Falls on the Zim side.
They say Zambia owns the falls,but Zim has the VIEW,and they are right

This is where the multi border pass comes in to play.Cross over into Zim for the day costs 55 USD.Coming back into Bots no charge

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GI Jane · Post by **GI Jane** » Fri Jan 17, 2014 2:33 pm

Thanks Neil... awesome shots.... Did you do the sunset cruise from Chobe lodge. That is great, but costly, also entrance to Vic falls especially the full moon night entrance, very heavy.

Thunder02 · Post by **Thunder02** » Fri Jan 17, 2014 3:01 pm

GI Jane wrote:Thanks Neil... awesome shots.... Did you do the sunset cruise from Chobe lodge. That is great, but costly, also entrance to Vic falls especially the full moon night entrance, very heavy.

Hi,our friend from Gabs has his own boat,which we use when ever up there.The strange thing is you don't need a skippers ticket to use a boat.
They charged 20 USD/person for entry into the falls,but if you pay Pula it works out cheaper.They have no clue about exchange rates

The Legend · Post by **The Legend** » Fri Jan 17, 2014 6:18 pm

Amazing pics Neil

Ultred · Post by **Ultred** » Sun Jan 19, 2014 12:13 pm

So when are we leaving this year. ill follow.
Looks like a lekker trip. Cheers

Thunder02 · Post by **Thunder02** » Sun Jan 19, 2014 12:27 pm

Ultred wrote:So when are we leaving this year. ill follow.
Looks like a lekker trip. Cheers

Have'nt decided on the route yet,but it seems Lake Kariba is calling

Ultred · Post by **Ultred** » Sun Jan 19, 2014 12:33 pm

ill leave that up to you. ( if you don't mind the company) Come high or low, this year the lux is going on holiday. if it doesn't i might as well sell it. My wife is pushing for a white Christmas this year. ill take the baby powder with

Thunder02 · Post by **Thunder02** » Sun Jan 19, 2014 1:02 pm

After spending a fee days at chobe we headed to the start of the Hunters Trail,which starts right at the Zim/Bots border post in Kasane.The trail started of well with only a few ruts to get through due to the rain.Like i said the trail had been graded a few months back.

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After about 20km we noticed more water starting to lay around,did'nt seem that bad

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Soon the mud holes got bigger and shorter distance between them.

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Then the trouble started,first Thunder started to overheat

Stoped and waited for her to cool down.

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After we were ready to get going,we decided to put the D4D in front to cut the trail.This also did not last long.Marc's gearbox oil started to overheat.
So it was drinks breack again.

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Thunder02 · Post by **Thunder02** » Sun Jan 19, 2014 1:30 pm

We then hit a dead end in the form of a marsh.By this time we had only done 65km of the 281km.

We walked ahead to check if there was anything which would able to carry the weight of the vehicles,but all we found was knee deep water into the horizon.Sadly our Hunters Trail expedition was over.We now had the task of reversing the Vehicles back to find a place to turn them around.3km of heading backwards we eventually got the noses pointed in the right direction.
After another 20km we found a cut line heading west and decided to take it.

Once on the black stuff we ran into wildlife,which rounded off the day in a pleasant way.

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And now for the bad news.As Bots has now banned all hunting in their country,they are now trying to raise funds in other ways.
As from March 2014 the hunters trail will not be able to be driven without permits.

Permit for vehicle will be 3500-00 Pula
And a daily fee of 350-00 Pula per person per day......

Our next stop at this point is Elephant Sands,and to go drown our sorrows of the trail defeating us

Thunder02 · Post by **Thunder02** » Sun Jan 19, 2014 1:47 pm

Ultred wrote:ill leave that up to you. ( if you don't mind the company) Come high or low, this year the lux is going on holiday. if it doesn't i might as well sell it. My wife is pushing for a white Christmas this year. ill take the baby powder with