Botswana in June

[Tokkie]

Botswana in June..

In June the African wild dogs begin to search for dens, which makes them easy to find for the next three or four months as they operate from their dens. Temperatures have dropped to their coldest by the end of June with night temperatures reaching as low as 5°C (very cold on night drives due to wind chill factor). Daytime temperatures rise up to a very comfortable 25°C and dusty dry conditions begin to dominate. Some green bushes and trees persist but leaf drop commences and pans dry up. Animals concentrate at permanent water sources, as do their predators. The inner Delta starts to flood.

So many sightings in Botswana this month!

Wild dog pack spotted at Tuli
Brown hyeana spotted at Haina Kalahari
3 newborn lion cubs born at Deception Valley
& 4 Cheetah in the Central Kalahari!

What a stunning time to be on safari....



Road Conditions : middle of May 2012

Fuel increased in Botswana :
Diesel : P8,88
Petrol : P8,73
Parafin : P6,98

Maun to South Gate
From Shorobe to South Gate Via Mawana Vet Fence Is very bumpy and corrugated. Apparently the Grader is broken down and no one knows when it will be fixed. Also from Mawana Vet Fence to Mababe is also very bumpy and corrugated.

South Gate to Xakanaxa
Is not bad, A little Bumpy and Dusty.

South Gate to 3rd Bridge
Is the usual bumpy with sandy patches, 1st and 2nd Bridges have been repaired for when the flood arrives.

3rd Bridge to Xakanaxa
Is the usual sandy road, 4th Bridge has been repaired( the old bridge) and the new one is still usable although leaning a little to the left.

Xakanaxa to Khwai
Is dusty and there are some big holes from the rainy season. At the river crossing there is a new road detouring around and is completely dry, this new road comes out almost directly opposite the entrance to Dombo Hippo Pools. The rest of the way from Dombo to Khwai is fine. You can also drive on the Flood Plains as the flood has receded, but be careful as the waters will start rising soon again.

Khwai to Savuti
From Khwai (North Gate) through the village the road is dry at the moment, continue through the big dip with the concrete slab at the base and continue on the gravel road, after several hundred meters the Gravel Road does a 90 degree turn to the left, this goes to a big, deep crossing. Continue straight through the 90 degree bend on the old 2 track road. This gradually turns to the right, keep on this past the first left turning,
take the second left and this will bring you to a small crossing, Walk It, Low Range and take the crossing by going far right. It is bumper depth in the cruiser with a dip in the middle that is headlight depth. The dip is only about half a metre wide. Be cautious in the next months as the flood arrives, this crossing will get to bonnet depth again. After the crossing you enter a big open area, you want to keep left and drive straight across it, if you get to the Khwai air strip then you have gone to the right. Once through the open are you enter the Mophane forest again, at the fork turn left, keep along this road for several Kilometres. You will arrive again on the gravel road. Head over the Concrete (White) Bridge and proceed to Mababe Gate. Once through Mababe Gate most people are going right at the fork, the old Depression road, the “New Road” which is left at the fork is getting sandy and very bumpy. Once at the sand ridge it is getting quite sandy with many vehicles getting stuck already, mostly driver error, wrong gearing. After the sand ridge the road is fine all the way to Savuti.

Savuti to Kasane
From Savuti the road is fine, there are the usual sandy patches, but all is good. From Kachikau the road is tarred of course and is smooth driving; just keep an eye out for both wild and domestic animals running across the road to the river.
Once at Ngoma Gate there is a new Game Scout (Very Strict) and he is checking all paper work before letting you through, even if you are taking the transit road he is still checking your camping and entrance vouchers from where you have been. From Ngoma Gate down along the river to Ihaha is a little bumpy and stoney but ok.

Sedudu Gate to Ihaha
I have avoided this section this year due to the ‘Congestion Charges’, most people have!! But now for the last month or so the river route has been under water so no-one can use it anyway!!!!! Any one camping at Ihaha and coming from Kasane has to take the NANTANGA turn off which is 20km on the tar road from Sedudu Gate
or at Ngoma Gate.

Nata to Kasane
The Nata to Elephant Sands road is good new road. Past Elephant sands towards Kasane, for about 80kms, this is still good new road. From then, there’s a detour, but a good one, as they’re still fixing the old tar road..
But it’s okay, you can still drive Nata to Kasane in about 3 hours.

Safe Driving !!!

http://www.youtube.com/user/travel2bots ... sults_main" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://www.travel2botswana.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[OOOOMS]

Great info, tx for taking the time to share !

[Tokkie]

No worries Ooooms.
Hoop dit help darem so bietjie met die ouens se trip planning.

[OOOOMS]

No worries Ooooms.
Hoop dit help darem so bietjie met die ouens se trip planning.

Wild dogs are always a bonus to see in the wild....fascinating! Would on day like to see the pups :wink2:

[bs berghaan]

Very nice, our tour starts 21 JUNE 2012 for 23 days in botswana and caprivi round trip, can not wait any more, please turn the clock faster,

[TheToy]

Thanx for the info, will try and add to some of the lovely pics, BergHaan and family and family and I will be touring. As BergHaan said, wish the time could tick passed a bit quicker! We both will be heading south from Nigeria to SA and then over to Bots, where we meet the family. Will try and keep you guys posted as to what and where what is. All depends on the roaming charges.