Botswana 26 April to 3 May 2022

[Mad Manny]

Andreas & Ally (Patrol towing a Metalian), Bugger & Renay (VW 4WD Camper) & I headed to Botswana on 26 April.
We were joined a few days later by Wessel & his friend Divan (Prado 120 pulling a Bushlapa Baobab) & Avon & Monica in a (Rubicon + Bushy Trailer).

This Thread is for participants to posts comments, reports& photos.

I will post a Full Report later.

[Bugger]

Botswana 22/4 - 7/5 2022

Well like any trip it start with the Planning , menus, buying equipment and vehicle prepping and packing
The dash was removed to clean out the heater radiator and neaten wiring sort aircon out and a list of to do including new Highlift Jack Brackets.
Acquired a 6000 lumenum Cordless torch with red lens for spotting animal eyes at night without causing eye damage to them friendly eyes green and predator red.
As our own eyes go with age a new 16x50 Binocular was also in the shopping basket and updated Tracks for Africa map set of Africa.and a satellite phone from Sat 4 Rent in case of emergency and gas geyser for shower sorted.

So Easter weekend Friday 15 April we sat aside for packing and final prepping.
Started early and I had to repair a shelf in my rear tool cupboard and managed to screw the shelf and my left index finger together.
Eina eina eina......
So impossible to just pull my finger out as it was a sharp wood screw and screwed to the bone.
Now I had to change the direction of the drill to unscrew but also go slow that I do not have to do the screw excersise over again
With Eina Finger we finished packing with project managing and doing a down pipe on A friend son's Ford ST we were blessed with nice sunny weather and finalized packing ready for the trip, food,drinks,clothes,electronic equipment and extra fuel cans.

[Bugger]

Extra note on prep.
A new sand Shovel bracket was fastened to the left of the bus for easy acces because we were warned lots of driving will be done on thick soft sand and the pans soft mud.
The old front leaking air vent were replaced with a new non leaking model and tested in the rain.
My Garmin nuvicam I stripped and cleaned out the soft speaker and set brightness and it worked like a brand new second hand one.
Seeing that the mosquitoes love my blood I bought a USB rechargeable mosquito killer with LED Light to attract them.
The old105A/h Deep cycle battery was replaced and my 110L double door Snomaster fridge freezer was plugged in to test battery live.
From get go the battery was not good and me mate rough me a replacement and I had the chance to learn the ropes how to use my own Adendorff special digital battery tester, thanks Rudi for loan end good service.

.

[Mad Manny]

Here is a list of all the things Bugger did NOT have with him on this trip:
1. A space Rock
2, A copy of the Koran
3. A Map of Australia

[Bugger]

Here is a list of all the things Bugger did NOT have with him on this trip:
1. A space Rock
2, A copy of the Koran
3. A Map of Australia

Did you have inside info

[Bugger]

Friday 22 April

All packed and ready to.leave home around 10:20am
A bit of information of our vehicle of choice for this trip is a Volkswagen Microbus T3 Syncro High roof Cox Camper.Factory fitted Duel lockers make these vehicles very good overlanders. Engine was changed from 2.1 WBX to a 2L Sleepy Golf conversion with Mp9 efi also fitted with 2 belly mounted long range fuel tanks both sides of the Propshaft wiith interrior 35L water tank and rock and roll seat folding in to a bed for sleeping without the park lions interference And a rear over hang Roof rack with 2x25L water Jerry cans and Space for 4xAmmo cases or lots of fire wood that is a conversation piece seeing du to the overhang and bolted to the Fiberglass roof.Tyre size changed from 14 inch to 15 inch 235x15x75 Good year Wrangler tyres with nice sidewall for low tyre pressure driving on Gravel and sand.And front disc brakes upgraded to 2.6L Larger brakes
Front mounted 12000Lbs winch with front and rear double heavy duty recovery points.


With the Fuel needle indicating half tank and we headed the bus in the direction of the R21 North
Filled up fuel at N1 Petro port and roads were quite busy for early Friday
Main tank and rhs long range filled but not yet the 2 Jerry cans on rear roof rack.
Drove to Lephalale and on the way tried calling Weltevreden country Lodge for accommodation to Sleepover
No Answer
No Answer
3 more no Answer
Stopped on the side of the road at Monte Christo T junction
R510 and R33
To Decide if we go look for Accomodation close to Stokpoort or Groblers bridge
So happend that Tiaan from Die Wind Pomp Guest lodge stopped beside us and ask if everything was ok and if he could offer any assistance.
We ask.about Stokpoort and he replied 40km but bridge closed due to the river in flood

I said we will hunt for accommodation towards Groblers bridge and he said why don't we Sleepover the night just across the road by them at Die Wind pomp Guest house.
So there we found our selfs checked in inn less than 5 minutes and having a couple of Jamesons and Rickky lows in there nice Pub.
There after we checked out our cottage right next to the Mogol River had a shower and back to the Pub for supper also found a Jeep Grill somebody left behind.
And a lot more Jamesons and alot of fun with the locals till it was time to walk the short distance back to our Cottage and have a good night's rest.

[Bugger]

Saturday 23 April


Woke up early and hit the Road to Groblers bridge Due to Stokpoort closed.
Groblers bridge had a que of trucks more than 2km from border gate We skipped past them Till border gate and had to wait for a truck that stopped in the gate so no movement in or out.
Then there were not space for a mouse as I entered the parking lot with trucks parked everywhere.
I litterally had to 4x4 past all of them on the grass outskirts of the parking area with a huge side slope to the left to park closer to SAPS check out.
I ask them if I could go past another building outer side also with a big side slope to get to the actual parking area.
They laughed and said no space baba.

I knew I could pass
Then asked if I could pass there they just laughed and said if you can ok.

Next moment they saw the bus out the bush
Only to be very stunned
Gave them my passport and off we go they check our passports and wave us through


Get to Botswana side
Up down and back to WHITE "CARAVAN"
That turned out to be a temporary building for passport control
So there they check my vaxxed sertificate
Happy with 1 shot
Give me a small paper and said you can go

Renay supply exactly same documents
No mam you need 2 vaxenations

Lol so we were Prapared and did go for PCR Tests before we left home and she produced results all clear is given.
There we go

Get to customs
Fill in all the forms
They check passports and find no SA stamp
So with the excitement with trucks we clearly forgot to check out SA side.

Ok all the way back over Groblers bridge
Back to SA side wrong way of traffic with every one trying to stop me
I just mozzed past everyone

Find customs also in a skiterish Temporary building
Looks like SA and Botswana on the same Path building wise.
Get our custom stamps
And back over Groblers bridge
And again stop at the foot and mouth disease control and got out to walk on the sponge
This normally smell slight funny and color is whitish but this time I'm sure we just gone through normal water.

Back at Botswana customs all sorted
Go pay for Road tax
3de party insurance and vehicle permit
Cost gone up slight From P120 to P152

Stopped to get checked at the last inspection gate for meat etc and got the All clear to drive in to Botswana.

Heading to Palapye a nice relaxing drive to fill up fuel and do some shopping at the Food lovers market for Macon and Spinach etc
Draw some Poela and managed to buy and register a Botswana telecom company simcard to my phone for comms.All though I do have a Sat 4 rent phone with me data was easier for whatsapp messages
Syncro is quite heavily loaded with 12 days supplies but runs like a Elephant soft and gentle.
Made Palapye 428km on main tank with average 6.2km/l from Lephalale
With average speed croozing 105 to 117Km/h GPS Speed.

Then after we stocked up casual crooze to Woodlands Stopover on the outskirts of Francistown
Nou gaan ek n Bier geniet Bought some St Louis
Bought some fire wood P38 a small bag
Trip stickers and wine for Renay
Pd for the Chalet and headed to our room

Made a fire , sort supper and took a walk to the dry River bed and found some interesting spoor
No water as apparently up stream government is building a dam.

but a beautiful deck to sit on the river Bank and watch the sunset

[Bugger]

Sunday 24 April
Got up around 8am very casual no hast to go no where as the rest of the group will meet us later on at Woodlands stop over

The lodge had some Breakfast in the Fridge for us and We sat down to enjoyed the quite tranquility and our breakfast
Headed to the gate to get some wifi and catch up with messages and change camping to another night in the Chalet

Headed out to Francistown to get some more Cash as a back up if Rakops or any of the game reserves and other filling stations card machines do not work or only take cash then we don't need to ride unexpected distances to get cash.

Got cash and filled with fuel as we said from beginning if you go past a fling station and less than 3/4 best to fill
So I did
Then we headed out to find Barbara's Bistro as suggested by a good Friend
Found the Restaurant but closed on a Sunday
A bit disappointed but Next door was a Bowling club so we pulled in there for a few cold ones
Watched the older generation play and talking about Wasted "Wood" referring to the Bowling balls
After a few we did a bit sight seeing but only could find a closed Museum and the Koppie where the communication towers stood on so we Headed back to Woodlands and stopped past the Crocodile farm not to far from Woodlands

Did a short but informative croc tour
Renay had fun tapping the one crock on the head to make it move while we were in the Penn with around 35 Crocs
I held a few small ones and must say for a year and 2 years old they were quite strong

I tested there biting abilities with my finger
Not hard clamping pressure yet but Boy are those teeth Razor sharp and needle points so yes a bit eina.

Walked through the rest of the farm to the tortis Penn

Lazied back at Woodlands waiting on arrival of Manny and Andreas as unfortunate Christo van Vuuren (Grips) had to cancel the trip on short notice.
We Expected them to arrive around 2 but they rolled in at 16:00
They set up camp and we made fire and we caught up on chats
We Decided that Tanya,Andreas,Renay and I to drive with the syncro early Monday morning back to Francistown to go pay for our Park fees As we heard it was to be pd in town. And Manny and Ally will bring the other 2 vehicles and meet us at the main road when we get back.
As payment was not payable weekends off we will go early Monday morning then.

[Mad Manny]

Headed out to Francistown to get some more Cash as a back up if Rakops or any of the game reserves and other filling stations card machines do not work or only take cash then we don't need to ride unexpected distances to get cash.

This was a wise move, as we would later learn when Wessel & Avon had major cash on hand issues.


BTW: I wish I'd bought Binoculars - you & Andreas scored by bringing yours...

[Bugger]

Here is a list of all the things Bugger did NOT have with him on this trip:
1. A space Rock
2, A copy of the Koran
3. A Map of Australia

The reason why I had Binoculars with

Sent from my SM-G991B using Tapatalk

[Bugger]

Monday 25 April
Woke up early for some but late for me lololol to pack the Syncro and get ready to pick Andreas and Tania up at 7am and go in to town to the Department of wild life
And National Parks to pay our park fees as Andreas was informed by a untrusted informant that we are not able to pay at the gate of CKGR.
Jumped in the bus and off we go.

So eventually we found the Government building DUE TO SOME road works and had to beg and bribe parking attendant for allowance to park inside the public parking.

Get out and get all paperwork and Andreas realize he left his wallet in his Patrol we had a giggle
Tanya and I said don't worry we can sort payment and just recon afterwards for 5 vehicles.

Off we go 7:30 in to the building as this is the time they start to work and finding the official we needed to see we was directed to 1st floor room 21 after touring half the building and now Millitary style
Hurry up and wait.

Waited a while as office was Locked
Then another official assisted us and informed us that Park fees same as Nxai Pan where we are on our way to is Payable at the Gate to Central Kalahari Game Reserve(CKGR). We all were still not very convinced but he Assured us 4 times over and over
Still not convinced off we go

Imagine we drive all the way the 2 spoor road get there and go back to pay somewhere else.

Ally and Manny was informed by whatsapp due to WiFi at Woodlands we were on our way so they could get us at the main road and we did not needed to drive back all the way inn and out again on the Gravel road to Woodlands.

Got them at the main road and off we go
Renay and I in Mike the Syncro in front of convoy be cause i dont get lost easy hehehe then Manny and Tanya with fearless and Gearless his
Fortuner and Conqueror Conquest trailer
Then Andreas and Allison aka Ally with the Patrol and Metalian trailer.

We did a very casual nice drive around 80-100 Km/h speed to NATA where we refueled and I filled my additional 2 Jerry cans. The filling station were quite not happy with me filling the Jerry cans on my roof rack.
They obviously had problems with static electricity before as they gave Andreas a static cord with 2 Crocodile clips to clip 1 side on jerry can and other on Fuel pump as there policies State it should be on the ground.
I did ask pls show me this policy info. I was pointed out the sighns on sides of other fuel pumps. Ooooo grenade I said and apologized not to do it next time.
But Next time we will stop at a Shell and not Engen as it is a huge mission to un strap the Jerry cans and lift them 2.2 meter filled up in the air on to the roof rack.

Well you learn something new every day so now with the Main tank of 70L and Both bottom Long Range tanks of 35L each and 2x20L Jerry cans I had 180L of fuel on board and should get us to Nxai Pan and back and many Game Viewing kms.
All the You Tube bloggers videos I watched of guys doing these type of trips had similar comments/complaints that they should have had more fuel with them for alot more game driving time due to distance to camp site and back to refueling again.


Got to the gate 38km from tarr road and No Card facilities but Luckily we all were Prapared and had cash at hand.
The Park fees are quite expensive
P1820 for 2 People and the Vehicle for 3 days excluding camping fees paid up front.

We Bought 6 small Bundels Of wood for P25 a Bundel and again the rear roof rack came in handy by chuckling all the wood on top and not in a vehicle.

Drove the 18Km from gate 1 to 2nd gate nice soft corrugated sand some spots but other areas can chip your teeth.At the 2nd gate they got a nice Spaza shop with beers and hard tack.
Around 10km from the camp site the Syncro developed a problem
Intermittent no power and then the engine died.

After a quick assessment I was sure no fuel pressure.
Got Renay to switch ignition on and off and I felt the fuel lines if they swelled up from fuel pressure but they did not.
I used the newly acquired sand shovel in the soft hot sand to dig acces in front of left rear wheel to the fuel pump left back side.

Jumped under the bus and found the spade lug on Fuel pump positive side vibrated off. I pushed it back on the fitting and bus started up no problem.
That happened one more time before we got to campsite 10 where we were to camp and drove a bit slower from 40 to 30km/h to eliminate harsh corrugated road vibration.


Saw quite a few Elephants on the way to camp and in and around camp
Set up camp made food and baked a pot bread
Gone for a quick cold shower as you had to leave the water running for quit some time which i did nit know for the hot water to come out of solar geyser.
Around the Ablutions they have a clever way to keep the Elephants from destroying the buildings and fencing -Upside down blocks with spikes out the top.
Back at camp 2 Jackals roaming around.
The one naughty F@#$cker stole our plastic bag with rubbish in out of the Syncro.
I ran with my Slops through the bush chasing him to get the rubbish back (hoping no lion chase me now)
By the time I reached him he already tore the packet and rubbish all over and ran in the bush lucky him mmmmm
Collected everything and wish I had 4 arms to carry everything as the packet was completely torn apart.

We had a few G&ts and a Jameson
And we met Eric the Elephant next to the Ablutions he must be a loner and was hanging around the inspection hole of the pipe going to the Frech drain drinking the shower water at night.
Now I can imagine he must get a surprise package now and then brrrrrr .....

Inspected outer perimeter of camp site with the red lens torch and spotted some friendly green eyes in the distance.
But no predator red Eyes

And off to Bead just after 8pm

[Bugger]

..

Tuesday 26 April

Lekker Lazy morning got up.6am walked to Ablutions to see if we spot Eric the Elephant anywhere.
After coffee and rusks I turned to the syncro to fix spade lug problem on Fuel pump by crimping it slight tighter and with Silicone sealer put a blob on the lug and wire to secure the lug from comming off on the bad Corugated roads again.
Left camp around 11am on game drive took a detour and found heards of Zebra and Blou wilde bees.

Then we took a drive to Baines Baobab the long cenic route. Amazing place to visit and so disappointing to see all the markings people scrub there names and dates on the trees.

In Afrikaans we got a saying.
Gekke en dwaase skryf hulle name op muure en glase.

Had a picnic lunch there on the pan under the Baobab trees shade.
We were very lucky the trees had lots of leaves to see as they don't have leaves most year round.

Andreas pointed out to us some owl droppings and clearly mouse bones could be seen in the remains next to the 1 Baobab tree.

We Browsed around the many other Boabab trees.
Then saw some Flamingos on the pan
And we all took a drive to get close to them
Snapped some pics and headed back to the camp site on a different route
Was nice and very thick sand patches but smoother road
Got back to camp
Had a few Jamesons and made a fire on the pit
Braai some meat and Renay made some lekker Pap and sauce Even Manny climbed in to the Pap and sauce and enjoyed it then we all Enjoyed the small fire till bead time listening to the animal sounds.

[Mad Manny]

Nice report Bugger, the bread and the pap Renay made were awesome!

Baines Baobab was very interesting - especially with Andreas adding tidbits of info.
I found the story about the Owl perch (which you could clearly see was regularly visited by an Owl) & then the tiny mice bones lying directly underneath, particularly fascinating.

[Bugger]

..



Wednesday 27 April Nxai Pan
Woke around 5am and enjoyed the peaceful quite bush and then got up at 5:30 am
Put water in kettle for Coffee and have some early rusks as my daily routine.
Ready 6am to go for sunrise game drive
Just after 1st light we headed out north west in the park
First watering hole no Elephants but a few Zebra but they did not seemed fazed over the water as a few had a quick stop.and a sip or 2 and most of the Zebra headed in the direction of the larger watering hole.

We arrive at the deeper watering hole and found around 400 Springbok there and a very large amount of Zebra

The Springbok were very lively / cheerful and playful

We headed in a north western direction again and found the od Giraffe
Until we got a nice large group of Giraffe of 18 leisurely eating from the tops of the acacia trees

All along the route we find deep vehicle tracks that indicate the pans were quite wet still a week or so ago and you can see the sweat equity in the tracks recovering stuck vehicles.

We are quite lucky with the late Rain that we are not experiencing any of the getting stuck to the chassis as the evidence show on the Roads.
We did not come to test our Vehicles 4x4 capacities as it is worse when heavily loaded for overlanding trips
And we still got quit a few kms left of our trip.

Got back to camp around 8:30am
I put some Charcoal on the braai and lit a fire. While Renay sorted the Doug for bread and I knead it finish.

Left it in the sun for 20min knead it again and put the dough in a cast iron pot to final raise.

Then put the pot on to the hot Charcoal and 12 on top of the lid to bake from top.
20min and bread was done
In this time Renay sorted the chicken curry for supper.
Now Curry and bread is sorted for supper and we do not have to hassle making food after we come back from sunset crooze.
I used the Satellite phone and Sent a SMS message to Wessel and Avon to each organize minimum P2000 and Additional P1000 for my self that we sorted with cash at gates.
Then it was shut eye time till we go on sunset crooze late afternoon.

Left on the sunset crooze around 5pm
Still quite hot and very few Animals to see.
We headed in a north eastern direction
Tried to keep to the Planes again but road lead us in to the thick bruch with no clear line of sight.

Decided to make a u turn and find another route to the watering holes.

As we came out the bushy area 3 vehicles passed us same heading same direction of watering hole.

We gave them gap to go due to the very dusty clouds behind them and with late sun directly in our eyes it was difficult to see where to drive.

Dust gap between us we saw some more animals
T junction we decided to go to bottom watering hole and the other 3 vehicles headed to the north watering hole.
We arrived at watering hole with no animals
So decided to go check out northern watering hole
Got there and found everyone out of there vehicles
Kids on the roof racks of vehicles
Not worried about park rules

A tour guide in a croozer comes past and swear at them to get back in there vehicles
And they gave him lip
We minded our own business but had to say something
So Andreas told them this is unacceptable we the South African s are the ones not following rules and do things like this
They shouted at us to go to the other Pan and Thought violence is the answer

Think they are a group of Video makers with their cameras out etc
But Rules are Rules abide by them and it benefits every one

Enjoyed the sun set
And drove back to camp
Did a basic pack up and sorted tent and other things out that had to be packed and ready to leave to meet Wessel and Avon at Rakops in the morning there after Head for Piper Pan camp site in the CKGR.

[Bugger]

...

Thursday 28 April Nxai Pan
Got up.5:30am boiled the kettle for Coffee and packed up the rest of our camp and ready to leave 6:15am

Took a steady drive from camp site out of Nxai Pan to gate and all tarr to Rakops to Arrive just before 10am.
Stopped at the only ATM in town to organize ize cash for park fees but ATM out of service.
Drove to Puma filling station Filled fuel and some snacks.(the slow driving on bad roads and game viewing you need to keep the Jaws occupied LOL)

I organized with the manager at filling station to pay for fuel and draw P2000 for a service fee of P50 for the manager to allow us to pay with Card and recieve cash.
Andreas had a fuel leak on one of his long range fuel tanks on the trailer roof rack, we were able to repair the leak by cutting the perished fuel hose and fit back on fitting and he could fill fuel in both long range tanks.

As we are waiting on Wessel and Avon to Arrive we stocked up on some veggies from the local street vendors and checked some Whatsapps and saw Wessel sent a message they will be late 45min so we walked around the street vendors and chatted to the locals to kill time and get some local info.
They arrived filled fuel and water tanks
Deflated and we all set off to the Matswere gate of CKGR 35km driving from Rakops in nice soft sand again.
Got to the gate with 130 kilometers bumpy soft sand roads left to Piperpan camp site est 5Hrs
Then Andreas discovered another problem on his trailer somehow he lost 150L water from his tanks. Then we were told there were No Card facilities as we were expecting to pay Park fees.

Between everyone we discovered we did not have enough cash to pay Park fees as each vehicle est cost was P3300 The Park official was a very good Gentleman and the 4 trailers fees were discounted at P240 each making a total of P960 discount eventhough we still shorted P20 after the trailer discount.
P20 is P20 you either got it or not.

We met 2 German travelers with a rental RV in Rakops that spoke to Andreas regarding trip info and they could not find fire lighters to buy so Andreas gave them some fire lighters At no charge.
We found them on the road to Matswere gate and they convoyed with us to the Main gate.
They heard our predicament and offered to help us with the P20
Walla we could pay the bill of P13650.00 and enter the gate.

Now from the gate to Piper Pan camp site was about 130km slowbumpy sand driving around 25-40km/h
Very bumpy with sea sickness feeling to describe it and the bus with the extra fuel and Water on my rear overhanging roof rack often rebounced and hit the engine protection skidplate bar hard on the ground from the bad roads and eventually pushed up against the oil sump causing a vibration.

Vibrating and bending the original oil filler blank plate and caused oil to start dripping out.Luckily when I discovered this we were not to far from camp luckily i only lost around a liter of oil.

Road was quite overgrown and I would say no maintenance in a long time.
As Monica re named the trees as
THE COMMON CAR SCRATHERS

Saw alot of Gemsbok, Springbok
And Koedo jumping over the road right in front of the Syncro while traveling.
Was a looooooong day as we arrived at camp around 5 pm. The closer and later in the day we got colser to camp we drove harder punishing the vehicles even more.
We set up camp and settled inn
Just before attending to the Syncros issues we heard a Roarrrr from a lion in the distance.
With everyone on edge I jumped on top of my bus roof rack to see over the bushes if I can spot him. But could not as bushes are very thick and he could not have been very close due to the thick brush.

The oil leak on the sump and starter issues i managed to sort both out before supper.
Used the high lift jack and lifted the rhs of bus to move oil in the sump to front left side eliminating the need to drain all the oil to fix oil leak. Avon as always very helpful and Assisted me and holding the Torch
I Used Andrea's snall steel hamer to straighten the plate and 3 hacksaw blades tied together as a file to file and straighten the small sump plate and refit. The problem with the starter I found the Main power cable from battery lug nut vibrated out and not making contact.
Avon had a flat tyre just out side camp and drove it the last 200m to camp

After repairs it was time to braai and enjoy a Jameson And the bush TV
With a Lions Roar in the back of your mind