CROSSING THE PANS

I was sitting around a fire with my Dad one Sunday in March, when our general discussion moved to Botswana, a country that has crept into my heart over the last couple of years. We were talking about the Zebra migration every September and October, when the game starts massing in its thousands in the Nxai and Makgadikgadi pans, and then, as if by some group signal, heads to Xhumaga (also known as Khumaga) on the banks of the Boteti River in search of greener grass.

We decided this was the year that we should take a trip to see if we could catch the migration, and, as the conversation developed, we added a challenge: how awesome would it be to traverse the pans east to west?

The answer was easy, so I started planning our trip and researching the roads and accommodation options. I also spoke to a couple of mates who know the area, and could offer advice on the best route to take.

Not long after, sitting one morning talking with Mic van Zyl of Ironman 4x4, I mentioned the trip that I was planning and subsequently invited him and his family along. Our final trip was planned to be over seven nights, starting on the last Saturday in September, with the driving component spread over four destinations – and including three nights at the SKL Group’s Khumaga Camp, before the long haul home.

Gauteng to Khama Rhino Sanctuary

After some of the typical