Sylvia and I immediately decided that we would like to go so I tentatively posted a request to join the group. As time passed more details were posted and convoy leaders were discussed. In addition there was a decision to leave very early in the morning on 16 February 2007. I mention the year as this report is somewhat late and being shy and retiring I have been slow to contribute. Also being of forked tongue I have decided rather to try and make the pictures tell the story.
As I do not like to rise too early we decided to leave a day before the main convoy. We stayed over at Doornrivier on 15 February where Andre van der Merwe made us feel at home. We stayed in a lovely wooden hut with hot water and electricity - lovely.
Whenever possible we like to charge the batteries when we are going to be away from power for a few days and that is why the bonnet is open.
Mike Simmonds in his infinite kindness phoned me and invited us to join his group at the Wimpy in Zeerust for breakfast at 7:00am. We were a bit early - in fact we were at the Wimpy before it opened and on time the group arrived.. We set off for the border together and passed through without incident except for a sealskin pouch which we had taken along to store our torch headlights.
Fuel was taken at Molepolole and we found a garage which took credit cards.
Soon after filling up we left the tar and drove on a lovely sand road towards the park.
Around 13:30 on 16 February we arrived at the Khutse gate where we met the other group who had taken a different route.
Once through the gate the terrain changed to a lovely single track. Some decided to deflate tyres but we decided to see whether it would be necessary. In fact we left the tyres alone.
Near out campsite we came across a dead leopard which we were later told had been injured by a porcupine and had thereafter been unable to hunt.
We set up camp with about five vehicles at each site. We were the only visitors to the park. On our first night we had a lovely sunset
17 February - After an early night we rose and had breakfast.
Sylvia was looking over the pan when she saw wild dogs near the waterhole and this was really exiting.
This was our luxurious setup.
After breakfast I was able to convince three exceedingly handsome men that I was a talent scout and they eagerly posed for me.
For the next three days we drove all over the park and covered practically every road. We like to see everything.
There was not a lot of game and the area is very flat. However we did see a few animals.
The Tracks4Africa Map was wonderful. This was the first time we had used a sophisticated GPS and we were constantly amazed at how accurate it was.
There were of course also traffic jams now and then.
We found one of the very few shady spots at a campsite and enjoyed lunch there. As a matter of interest the toilets are in the open air and the seats can get quite hot. (This information may
be useful to someone sometime.)
Later that afternoon as we pulled up at the waterhole the greeting party noticed strange noises emanating from the front of our vehicle. The viscous coupling on the fan had stopped working and the noise was coming from the radiator. This is always alarming in the middle of nowhere.
Within minutes Stephan had made temporary repairs and they lasted for the rest of our stay in Khutse.
18 February. A few of us decided that lions and that type of animal do not eat in the daylight so we walked to another camp.
Here Keith and company posed in the soft morning light.
Some blingey people rose a bit later in the day.
At one of the waterholes we found various vultures which we looked at for some time.
It was very hot in the middle of the day and one of the groups had set up shade which we all happily shared.
Before going on these trips usually every modification is made including raising the suspension but sometimes even this is not enough.
19 February. Some of the party decided to have breakfast at Khutse lodge on the way home.
Sylvia and I decided to spend the night at the lodge and continue on the next day to the delta.
That evening we had a lovely dinner by the pool.
The next day when we reached Molpolole we stopped to fill up with petrol and noticed that the vehicle was a bit warm. The viscous coupling had gone again. Suzie directed us to the Toyota garage in Gaberone but they were unable to repair or supply us with a viscous coupling so we headed for Zeerust. The garage in Zeerust was most helpful and they found a second hand coupling and fitted it for us.
As it was late we decided to spend two nights at Doornrivier and explore the place. This was a good decision and we thoroughly enjoyed our stay and drive on the 4x4 routes there.
The dongas were great fun to play in.
Thank you to all the people who made this such a lovely holiday for us.