Taaibos - November 2011

We had decided that we would like to do the Taaibos 4x4 route (S24.18537 E27.86510) which is on the border of Welgevonden Game Reserve. The camp site was lovely and we were the only camping guests. A few days before there were plans that a few vehicles would participate in the trail but when the time came we found that we were alone. We had been told that we would not be allowed to do this trail on our own. We did not mention what we had been told and off we went to see if we could do the trail. Charmaine gave us the go-ahead and off we set - me driving (for a change and there were no witnesses other than Sylvia).

The trail is rocky - how Charmaine evaluated our skills without knowing us is a mystery. Technically it was one of the most difficult trails I have driven. And to make matters more exciting the brakes began to take just a few centimeters from the floor. With Sylvia having to guide in some places I was most concerned that the brakes would fail on some of the steep descents. A special thanks again to Tracks4Africa http://tracks4africa.co.za/ as the trail had not been driven for some time and the path was very indistinct in places. It is a good day's entertainment but the amount of rocks made us decide once around was enough.

There are some nice walks and it is worth spending at least two days there to explore. We found the Pedi rock paintings but they are not up to the standard of those we saw in the Matopos.

On the way home there was a noise like a branch stuck under one of the wheels. That noise was the wheel bearing and a bit later the wheel departed from the vehicle.

We had all the bearings replaced. The rear wheel bearing lasted until we got back into Botswana from our Khaudum trip. It took two days to drive through Botswana to Zeerust in South Africa where they did some wheel removals and repairs. This matter is under consideration at the moment (The moment being January 2012).

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