Thanks for the report LS
I will now endeavour to write a few word of my own.
And post some more piccies.
As Lucky Striker said - Botswana is one big, flat country. We saw most of it, and if you dont know where you are by looking at a map, you would not know the difference between the southern, northern, eastern, or western parts by looking at your surroundings.
Also, we had too little time for a trip of this distance. It was basically a mad dash to get to Maun, then a mad dash back home. (Almost)
We would have liked to see more, spend less time riding, and have more time to just sit and drink beer (yes, we drink occasionally)
Also, I can vouch for the friendliness of the Botswana people. Always ready to shoot the breeze with you, always a smile. Courtesy goes a long way there, and we more than once got preferential treatment just because we were courteous and made time to great the person before diving into the negotiations.
There was a question in one of the posts about the combination of TKC front and Tourance rear, and how it handled the terrain.
I think a combination like this is very good for the riding we did. A TKC on the back wheel would have been shredded on our trip due to the large distances tar we covered.
The Tourances gave enough grip in the sand and gravel, I really cant complain. And the TKC front tyre gave traction in the rough, while lasting quite good on tar as well.
Ok, enough of this, my piccies to follow.
Just after Ceres on the first day. You see that Coke bottle on the ground? That was OBS. Meant to last a couple of days. We cleaned it before 10am. We had to, we could not feel our fingers. The road got a lot more interesting after the OBS, I have to say.
The Ceres - Calvinia road. An excellent way to start any journey.
Nice view, pity about the mountains and the rest of the scenery.
Butch's KTM on the first evening. Eventually needed to help fix a BMW. Now if THAT isn't something...
The first evening - and the reason we reached the Okavango a day later than planned.
The second evening - Bushberry Camp outside Tsabong. As you can see from the picture, we were quite a bit less energetic than the previous evening. The temperature dropped to minus4 degress that night.
Riding to this camp was sort of a surreal experience for me. We took the turnoff from the main road onto this white, chalky gravel road, and we followed road as it meandered through the Camelthorn trees. Then suddenly it turned to most horrific two-track sand that you can image. And the further we rode , the worse the road became. At the point where I wanted to stop and ask the other guys if we were still on the right track, and if we should'nt rather turn around, I suddenly say a fence, then a little mud house, and then the gates to the camp. It was beautiful. I almost cried from relief. The combination of a hangover, flat tyre, border crossing, long distances, cold, heat, and a strange country had taken its toll on me, and I was SO glad we reached the end of the day's riding.
And when we got our rooms, I found a chicken on my bed that just laid an egg. I asked her humbly to leave my quarters, and I took the egg outside and put it in a warm spot in the sand. But the hen never returned to the egg. I felt like a little chicken murderer.
This is the road leading into Berrybush camp. After a good nights rest, I had the energy to stop and take piccie.
From Tsabong to Gantsi. LS making short work of the sandy roads.
A Katoom and a Beemer enjoying the sunset. Notice the footoprints and signs of heavy lifting next to the bikes, then you may understand why they arent being ridden at that exact moment.
Our pozzie in Maun (Audi Camp).
Do make use of their fabulous restaurant, its worth it. Avoid the curio shop like the plague. Except if your wallet is exceptionally strong.
Flying over the Okavango Delta. A highlight of the trip.
The two Germans that rode through Africa on their 20year old XT600's.
Riding from Maun to Francistown through the Nxaipan National Park. Notice LS sampling the slangbyt again to keep out the cold.
This picture was taken right after we made up our minds NOT to sleep on the Makgadigadi Pans for the night. A combination of rumours of terrible sand, terrible lions, and terrible sandstorms swung the vote. To LS's credit, he wanted to go, but me and Butch convinced him otherwise. I just was not in the mood to run away from lions while nursing a serious case of jippoguts (caused by cheap whiskey, I think
)
Back in the good old RSA. Here we encountered the first twisties in 5 days. It was heaven!! Picture taken close to Ellisras with the sun setting and us deliberating over where we wanted to sleep that night.
The morning after we slept at Sun City. Butch decided to ditch the Katoom and steal a scooter.
The last day - just before Victoria West, my bike struck 70,000km. We promptly stopped, had a mouthful of cheap whiskey to celebrate.
Back home at Kriges.
Almost 5000km, 9days, one puncture, one broken shock absorber, lost of fun, sore bums, and already planning for the next trip.
It was a great little getaway for me, I really enjoyed it. Just the opportunity to ride a bike for 9days into a neighouring country is already the best fun to be had. Doing it with guys that are easygoing, relaxed, and prepared to go with the flow is really a treat.
Next trip: Mozambique 2008.
Topic: Botswananananaa! (Read 7389 times)
