Botswana 2008 - Trip to Kasane - Chobe
Well, we had been wanting to travel to Botswana for some time and had wanted to also see Chobe, which we had heard so much about.
But, I had read that you needed a 4x4 and some serious camping equipment..
(Turns out the 4x4, for this trip anyway, is only required for driving inside the Chobe park)
So, I bought a oldish Range Rover v8 which had a low mileage. It had been looked after by the previous owner and had a full service history. The vehicle turned out to perform exceptionally well on this trip.
Now for the camping equipment.
I had been eyeing an off road trailer from a caravan dealership for some time. It had been standing in their sales area for many months. I eventually decided to take the plunge and purchase the trailer. Well, it was more than I expected in that it had a full tent (not merely just the roof top tent) a 12v and 220v system, battery charger, freezer, full kitchen and plenty of packing space. We were ready for the adventure !!
Our first night was going to be at Kwa Nokeng lodge, just across the border.
Well, we did get to Kwa Nokeng, but just a day later.
Why,
Our first problem surfaced just before Bela-Bela. My daughter advised that there was a funny noise that she could hear. So I stopped and on inspection found that the trailer tyre was rubbing against the back of the mudguard. So I jacked the trailer up, and was wondering how I was going to move the axle when a friendly fellow in a Nissan bakkie stopped. he suggested that I take the spare form the bakkie, as that was smaller and would fit. Then we progressed to the fuel station about 10km further and had a more detailed investigation.
We decided that the smaller tyre would suffice and the fellow suggested that I follow him to his home in Lephalale where his family would lift the trailer and move the axle back. This we did and thought that the problem was solved. We put the original tyre back on and also kept the smaller tyre, just in case.
It was now dark, as we booked into the local hotel for the night.
The following morning we decided to press on and our target was to make it into Botswana.
Before we could travel the 94km's to the border, the axle had moved again and this time blew the tyre. So we put the smaller tyre back on and pressed through to the border. I thought that there would be a place at Sherwood to assist with some repairs.
There we found a extremely friendly and helpful fellow. However he just did not have the correct equipment.
So, it was back through the border and back to Lephalale.
This time, I decided to find a tyre and exhaust shop. It was just about closing time on a Saturday, but the owner said as long as I gave him a few beers, he would stay and assist. So he pushed the axle forwards with the device used to straighten vehicles chassis for wheel alignment. Then he welded a large nutt onto the top of the spring. This stopped the axle from moving backwards again.
I was doubtful if that would last, as I had heard that you should not mess with springs, especially welding anything onto them. But he said, go and enjoy your holiday.
We did not have another problem with the axle.
The next problem was that he gave me a second hand tyre (to replace the one that we popped earlier in the morning) and off we went. Well, that tyre only lasted about 50km and bang. I put the smaller tyre back on and we traveled with that for the remainder of the trip. The trailer was a little lopsided, but it worked.
When the tyre blew, it shredded (see below) and it broke the lights on the trailer. I now travel with spare light fittings as well.
We made it back through the border (2nd time in the same day) and slept the night at Kwa Nokeng.
Our Botswana adventure was about to begin !!
From martins drift (border post) we traveled up to Nata Lodge where we had decided to spend 2 nights. This is a lovely place. Our first visit was prior to the fire which destroyed the entire lodge. But, this has been rebuilt and is, again, lovely.
We also visited the Nata Bird Sanctuary and did see some birds in the distance. The pans had some water in them, but it was an easy drive to the viewing deck.
From Nata we were traveling up to Kasane. A gentleman, on hearing where we were going, advised us to beware of elephants, because they were hiding in the potholes along the Nata Kasane road. Wow, the road was in a shocking state and he was correct, some of the potholes were large enough for elephants to hide in.
We drove along slowly and I was extremely worried about the trailer axle, but that gave no problems. We drove for many kilometers along the side of the road. (I'm happy to report that on a recent trip in 2015, the road was repaired and is now actually a good tar road.) Of cause there were some mad South African drivers racing along in their land cruisers and off road caravans. One, the roof had come open and I tried to indicate to the fellow. he thought I was telling him to slow down, so he gave me the finger. I secretly hoped that the caravan roof would blow off, totally.
Anyway, we made it safely to Kasane and our destination was Toto Lodge. Here I had booked a camp site and each of them had their own private ablutions and electricity. Unfortunately you cannot see the river from the campsite, but ts only a short walk down to the lodge and the river. (unfortunately when we tried to book here for our 2015 trip we were advised that the place had closed down. We had a look in September 2015, and it seems that renovations are in progress, so possibly it will open again). We had a lovely stay at Toro.
So the main activity at Kasane is, of cause, to see Chobe. We were staying a few nights so decided to drive into Chobe, do a river cruise and also visit the Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe.
Our first activity was Chobe.
We headed for the gate just past the Kasane airport. We thoroughly enjoyed or drive around. This was still the days when you could travel on all the roads, in any direction )now some are one way only).
The river was quiet full when we were there. However, you could still drive along the "river" roads in Chobe. These are sandy routes which are located on the river bank and provide great sightings of birds, water animals (such as water monitors, crocodiles etc) as well as elephants swimming. You are only allowed to drive into Chobe in a 4x4 anyway, so this does not pose a problem.
We went on a river cruise as well and this provided a different perspective on Chobe. It was the late afternoon/early evening cruise so we also got to see the sunset over Namibia and the river.
Our first night was going to be at Kwa Nokeng lodge, just across the border.
Well, we did get to Kwa Nokeng, but just a day later.
Why,
Our first problem surfaced just before Bela-Bela. My daughter advised that there was a funny noise that she could hear. So I stopped and on inspection found that the trailer tyre was rubbing against the back of the mudguard. So I jacked the trailer up, and was wondering how I was going to move the axle when a friendly fellow in a Nissan bakkie stopped. he suggested that I take the spare form the bakkie, as that was smaller and would fit. Then we progressed to the fuel station about 10km further and had a more detailed investigation.
We decided that the smaller tyre would suffice and the fellow suggested that I follow him to his home in Lephalale where his family would lift the trailer and move the axle back. This we did and thought that the problem was solved. We put the original tyre back on and also kept the smaller tyre, just in case.
It was now dark, as we booked into the local hotel for the night.
The following morning we decided to press on and our target was to make it into Botswana.
Before we could travel the 94km's to the border, the axle had moved again and this time blew the tyre. So we put the smaller tyre back on and pressed through to the border. I thought that there would be a place at Sherwood to assist with some repairs.
So, it was back through the border and back to Lephalale.
This time, I decided to find a tyre and exhaust shop. It was just about closing time on a Saturday, but the owner said as long as I gave him a few beers, he would stay and assist. So he pushed the axle forwards with the device used to straighten vehicles chassis for wheel alignment. Then he welded a large nutt onto the top of the spring. This stopped the axle from moving backwards again.
I was doubtful if that would last, as I had heard that you should not mess with springs, especially welding anything onto them. But he said, go and enjoy your holiday.
We did not have another problem with the axle.
The next problem was that he gave me a second hand tyre (to replace the one that we popped earlier in the morning) and off we went. Well, that tyre only lasted about 50km and bang. I put the smaller tyre back on and we traveled with that for the remainder of the trip. The trailer was a little lopsided, but it worked.
We made it back through the border (2nd time in the same day) and slept the night at Kwa Nokeng.
Our Botswana adventure was about to begin !!
From martins drift (border post) we traveled up to Nata Lodge where we had decided to spend 2 nights. This is a lovely place. Our first visit was prior to the fire which destroyed the entire lodge. But, this has been rebuilt and is, again, lovely.
We also visited the Nata Bird Sanctuary and did see some birds in the distance. The pans had some water in them, but it was an easy drive to the viewing deck.
From Nata we were traveling up to Kasane. A gentleman, on hearing where we were going, advised us to beware of elephants, because they were hiding in the potholes along the Nata Kasane road. Wow, the road was in a shocking state and he was correct, some of the potholes were large enough for elephants to hide in.
Anyway, we made it safely to Kasane and our destination was Toto Lodge. Here I had booked a camp site and each of them had their own private ablutions and electricity. Unfortunately you cannot see the river from the campsite, but ts only a short walk down to the lodge and the river. (unfortunately when we tried to book here for our 2015 trip we were advised that the place had closed down. We had a look in September 2015, and it seems that renovations are in progress, so possibly it will open again). We had a lovely stay at Toro.
So the main activity at Kasane is, of cause, to see Chobe. We were staying a few nights so decided to drive into Chobe, do a river cruise and also visit the Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe.
Our first activity was Chobe.
We headed for the gate just past the Kasane airport. We thoroughly enjoyed or drive around. This was still the days when you could travel on all the roads, in any direction )now some are one way only).
Our next activity was to drive to Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe. We had intended to self drive, crossing the border into Zambia via the Kazangula Ferry and head for Livingstone. However we were advised by other campers that the fees were excessive, as well as the long queue at the border post. So, we chose to take a tour from one of the local hotels. This was a good choice.
This tour was, however, to the Zimbabwe side.
We had absolutely no problems at the border post and the drive was interesting. There were no birds whatsoever for the entire 80 or so kilometers that we traveled in Zimbabwe.
Anyway, the falls were spectacular and were quiet full of water. We got totally soaked (even through we used raincoats etc).
We had a great day.
It was time ti head home and the trip back was uneventful.
We did, however, see loads of Botswana donkeys along the route.
One of the best trips!
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