Christmas Safari 2 - 2014 Edition (Bots & Nam)

[tau]

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However word of caution - Botswana is different level to anything else in Southern Africa. Namibia is pretty, but nowhere close to Bots in terms of toughness of riding (brutal sand in a bush, not easy open riverbeds) and remoteness of many of the tracks especially in the northern parts (delta, chobe boundary, western parts along Nam border (Khaudum NP). Heatstroke is massive risk, and in some tracks if things go wrong it is about 100km of walk in deep sand through big 5 territory. So come prepared.

Martin helped us creating the Kaudum Circumnavigation route... the sand is next level in North Western Botswana. The cops stopped us with their 4.0 V6 Land Cruiser bakkie. He told us we cannot enter the section. I asked if it was illegal ? He said no, but you will die, it is very hot and dangerous. You legally can, but you shouldn't....He wasn't far off.

Thanks Martin for sharing your info!!!

 

[Renrew]

Martin helped us creating the Kaudum Circumnavigation route... the sand is next level in North Western Botswana. The cops stopped us with their 4.0 V6 Land Cruiser bakkie. He told us we cannot enter the section. I asked if it was illegal ? He said no, but you will die, it is very hot and dangerous. You legally can, but you shouldn't....He wasn't far off.

Thanks Martin for sharing your info!!!

So why not go in the colder months? Outside of the rain prone period…

 

[Xpat]

When would you recommend going, and why? Or rather, which period is out of the question and which range is doable?

I'm very agnostic when it comes to season (except for winter in Lesotho). I ride whenever works allows and been in Bots probably in every season. It will be brutally hot in summer of course, but I've done some of my toughest trips there in summer so if you come ready (light bike, reasonably fit) you can do it any time.

I did that delta crossing (first video) in December and again in car in May. May was trickier, because the water was high and you have to cross one river / swamp deep into delta (about 100 km from Khwai village - last civilization) when water is high, with all local crickets in attendance. In December that river was dry so that was not a problem.

 

[Xpat]

Martin helped us creating the Kaudum Circumnavigation route... the sand is next level in North Western Botswana. The cops stopped us with their 4.0 V6 Land Cruiser bakkie. He told us we cannot enter the section. I asked if it was illegal ? He said no, but you will die, it is very hot and dangerous. You legally can, but you shouldn't....He wasn't far off.

Thanks Martin for sharing your info!!!

Pleasure John. You should really do that Delta circumnavigation (going north of delta from Shakawe to Khwai river - you will really enjoy that! I can send you the tracks if I haven't already.

 

[Xpat]

So why not go in the colder months? Outside of the rain prone period…

If your schedule allows that, go in colder months. But the nights can be quite cold, and depending on rain season (not sure when that is) the delta can be tricky.

 

[Xpat]

Your MOZ routes were incredible by the way, I owe you!

I forgot to ask when i met you - did you guys cross that rickety bridge south of Zavora? The one in attached photo

hoto

 

[Renrew]

If your schedule allows that, go in colder months. But the nights can be quite cold, and depending on rain season (not sure when that is) the delta can be tricky.

Perhaps then coming out of rainy season, or just before.

Probably better just before the rainy season, and whilst still colder than mid-summer.

Family of mine have a farm on the Bots border, will make logistics quite a bit easier.

I’ll cross check rain seasons and average temp, I’ll make my schedule fit to the best time to go.

I’m also fairly oblivious to the seasons, cold just means you have to pack more stuff, only drawback.

 

[Renrew]

I forgot to ask when i met you - did you guys cross that rickety bridge south of Zavora? The one in attached photo


View attachment 826197hoto

We missed it somehow - I made some of my own tracks as well and this might have been the result.

I was really looking forward to encountering this little bridge.

 

[Xpat]

Perhaps then coming out of rainy season, or just before.

Probably better just before the rainy season, and whilst still colder than mid-summer.

Family of mine have a farm on the Bots border, will make logistics quite a bit easier.

I’ll cross check rain seasons and average temp, I’ll make my schedule fit to the best time to go.

I’m also fairly oblivious to the seasons, cold just means you have to pack more stuff, only drawback.

Here is another trip up there to give you some idea on routes. Though none of my reports really covers the best stuff, which I did on 500.

https://wilddog.net.za/threads/christmas-safari.151222/

 

[Renrew]

I also had to cater for different riding abilities with my mates, which meant having to change things up ito timing and distances and even some bundu bashing shortcuts.

Not done with Moz though by a long shot, I’d like to go again soon.

Problem is always people who’s schedules allow this AND can ride AND have the right bike.

Might have Solo Moz when I go again.

 

[Renrew]

Here is another trip up there to give you some idea on routes. Though none of my reports really covers the best stuff, which I did on 500.

https://wilddog.net.za/threads/christmas-safari.151222/

Then that’s what I need to get from you

I’m going to start planning this soon, will reach out to you.

It’s addictive!

 

[Xpat]

I also had to cater for different riding abilities with my mates, which meant having to change things up ito timing and distances and even some bundu bashing shortcuts.

Not done with Moz though by a long shot, I’d like to go again soon.

Problem is always people who’s schedules allow this AND can ride AND have the right bike.

Might have Solo Moz when I go again.

Sorry, just remembered regarding you season question. We have done Makgadikgadi with @Straatkat in rain season and it was 'fun' as they were under water. We've made it through but you better have real good tyres - especially front. I have failed on that trip to circumnavigate the delta - had to do it on followup trip. Here are the visuals:

https://wilddog.net.za/threads/short-way-around-the-delta.192974/