Easter travels ?
Hennie Rautenbach
Vlok, J. (James)
We went down to Wagens Drift dam, near Estcort for the annual family get together. Sites are large, grassed with electricity and some with tree cover and a very nice dam for boating and water’s edge easy for the boats. Ablutions clean with hot water, but could do with more showers.
We decided to travel down Normandien Pass rather than the N3 and it was GREAT – Peter Zietsman send me a very nice route, thanks Peter. We turned off the N3 at the R34 towards Vrede, then on to Memel, very few cars and the road was reasonable to good. Just outside Memel we took the gravel S17. Road was good and passed 1 tractor and 1 bakkie. The turnoff to Normandien onto the S783 is sign posted and this section becomes a bit of off road driving, but nothing serious – did not need low range or diffs locked, but will be challenging in the wet. This road starts climbing and presents beautiful views of the farms and valley below. I think it will be very cold here in winter. We then took the P270 – the real pass road and again beautiful views. This took us along the top of a ridge with basically Free State on one side and KZN on the other. We stopped at a look out down the KZN side with farm land and some indigenous forests. This was higher than the signed pass at 1990 m. There is an electrified reserve of some sorts on the right but could not see what it was. The road down was also not too bad with some sections cemented. At the bottom, we continued on the gravel, passed the Chelmsford dam, more farming communities – NOT on the N11 – into Ladysmith. The short section from Ladysmith to the N3 had two stop and goes, but we did not wait long at each.
Anyone going down to Durban must pop off at the Nottingham Road off ramp to the Linga Lapa butchery, just as you get to the P147 T junction and opposite the filling station, for their marinated spare ribs, R 70 odd a kilo. Best we have had.
It was a really enjoyable trip, slow so we could smell the roses and very little traffic.
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James Vlok Finance GL Team Manager | Project 4321 - ERP Transformation Journey | Nedbank Limited Second Floor 24 Central Sandown Sandton 2196 South Africa | PO Box 1144 Johannesburg 2000 South Africa t +27 (0)11 295 7439 f +27 (0)11 294 7439 c +27 (0)82 900 3066 @ jam...@nedbank.co.za Website: www.nedbank.co.za |
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Nedbank Limited Reg No 1951/000009/06. The following link displays
the names of the Nedbank Board of Directors and Company Secretary.
[ http://www.nedbank.co.za/terms/DirectorsNedbank.htm ]
This email is confidential and is intended for the addressee only.
The following link will take you to Nedbank's legal notice.
[ http://www.nedbank.co.za/terms/EmailDisclaimer.htm ]
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A.H. (Eric) Sommer
James:
Did you record a track on this? Can you share?
Cheers
A.H. (Eric) Sommer | zr6...@gmail.com | +27 82 492 9272 | (Fax )+27 86 530 6642 | ZR6ETR (gTalk)
Jean Struweg
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David Le Roux
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Vlok, J. (James)
Hi Eric, not all of it, as the GPS freezes now and again, but I think the pass section recorded. I will check over the week end.
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James Vlok Finance GL Team Manager | Project 4321 - ERP Transformation Journey | Nedbank Limited Second Floor 24 Central Sandown Sandton 2196 South Africa | PO Box 1144 Johannesburg 2000 South Africa t +27 (0)11 295 7439 f +27 (0)11 294 7439 c +27 (0)82 900 3066 @ jam...@nedbank.co.za Website: www.nedbank.co.za |
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From: overlan...@googlegroups.com [mailto:overlan...@googlegroups.com]
On Behalf Of A.H. (Eric) Sommer
Sent: 05 April 2013 09:19 AM
To: overlan...@googlegroups.com
Subject: RE: [Overland] Easter travels ?
James:
Did you record a track on this? Can you share?
Brendon Muller
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Vlok, J. (James)
Herewith the route so long. There is some accommodation in the area, so it may also be nice for a weekend to explore a bit more. Also a lot to see along the R103.
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James Vlok Finance GL Team Manager | Project 4321 - ERP Transformation Journey | Nedbank Limited Second Floor 24 Central Sandown Sandton 2196 South Africa | PO Box 1144 Johannesburg 2000 South Africa t +27 (0)11 295 7439 f +27 (0)11 294 7439 c +27 (0)82 900 3066 @ jam...@nedbank.co.za Website: www.nedbank.co.za |
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Optirite
Motorbike Trip Report: Botswana: March 2013.
Thursday 21st: Day 1.
Wayne Edwards on a Yamaha Tenere 1200 and I on a BMW 1150 GSA met at 5H 30 am at the BP garage (Beyers Naude) at the onramp to the concrete highway.
Fuel topped up, and oil and tyres checked and we were ready to go. Even though it was early there was a fair amount of traffic on the road but being on bikes we weaved through the vehicles and made our way up to the Modimole off ramp which we took. The toll gate gantry at the off ramp was deserted so we rode through and climbed onto a very good condition R33.
We refuelled at Vaalwater and were soon at the Martin’s Drift border post. Formalities and P190 later we were through into Botswana. A quick refuel stop for both the bikes and ourselves at Kwa Nokeng Caltex and we were away.
I could feel adventure and the smells of the Botswana bush gave added determination and that feeling of freedom that one often feels whilst on a long motorbike trip. Some 50 odd kays outside Kwa Nokeng and all hell broke loose.
As I neared a village next to the road and slowed down to 60 kays there was a bang and the bike became a slithering mess. Faarrkkkkkkk!!!
Brought the beast to a stop and realized the worst... a tyre blow out! I got off the bike and confirmed this. Wayne almost pissed himself laughing until he saw the now unfolding problem: a burst rear tyre and no spare. Sure we both packed tools and puncture repair kits, and CO2 cartridges and compressors but none of that was going to help us now.
We pushed the bike off the road and over to a tree where we could get some shade. There was no cell phone signal!!! After discussing the plan of action we hoisted and tied up the rear end of the BMW on a tree branch which lifted the bike high enough to be able to take off the rear wheel. We left my bike in the tree as well as some of Wayne’s kit and he gave me and my rear wheel a lift into the nearest town, Palapye, to try find a solution. I have a couple of spares at home and if necessary would have to get someone to bring me one. I phoned my wife as well as a few mates and put them on standby.
As a chance I phoned friend, Clinton van Vuuren, from Kwa Nokeng Lodge back at the Martin’s Drift border post as he does motorbike trips into the pans. Maybe he would know of some place in Botswana that I could buy and courier a tyre to me. He asked me to sms my tyre size to him and he would see what he could do. Wayne and I then booked into the closest accommodation for the evening, and I went and found a bottle store... this called for lots of cold beer.
Twenty minutes later Clinton phones back to say that he had found two tyres in his store room that would fit and that he had given them to Peter, the driver of an Overland tour group that was headed to Palapye for the night and would be staying at Itumela. ETA was 8pm.
At 8pm we arrived at Itumela. What an awesome place, 80s music playing in the back ground. The dining area is outside and next to a huge and festive bar with the longest cocktail menu that I think I have ever seen. Found Peter and I exchanged the tyres for beer. Sorted! Back to the hotel to play mechanic. The side stand on a 1200 Tenere was no match for the tyre’s bead and it wasn’t long before we had the tyre changed and were on our way back to the stranded pig in the tree. The 1150 Adventure is really very easy to remove and fit a rear tyre and it was not too long before we were back in Palapye WITH both bikes and all of our kit. Clinton had sent me two tyres, a TKC with a good many repaired punctures and a brand new Dunlop road tyre. We fitted the Dunlop and carried the TKC as a spare. A Scholar and a Gentleman, you will agree.
22nd March: Day 2.
The next day was a lazy get away and we left Palapye after checking the tyre at the local fitment centre and a wimpy breakfast at 9am. In our search for tyres yesterday we found Sandy’s butchery and stocked up on a 1.5kg fillet for P60.00. I took it easy for the first hundred kilometres as I feared that the rear rim might have been damaged. My fears were not necessary and we rode up to Planet Baobab, near Gweta for night two. En route we passed Ntetwe pan and the urge was too great so Wayne and I popped onto the pan for a little fun. Both Wayne and I managed to break through the crust on two occasions and were later accounted for by the brown stripes on our seats, lol, but kept hanging onto the cable and so never got stuck. The solitude of riding on a salt pan is incredible and before long you become a mere speck on the horizon in a sea of white crust. Whilst on the pans two horses arrived out of nowhere and trotted alongside us for a while.
For those that have not been, Planet Baobab is a fantastic place with a super cold swimming pool and even colder beers. The place has an almost mystical feel about it and was not long before we had the fillet soaking up the heat of a bush braai as the beers quenched our dry throats. The stars were close enough to almost touch.
23rd March: Day 3.
After a chilled breakfast and strong coffee we packed up and left. At the entrance we saw an Off Road Caravan that was lying to one side with a very broken axle. It was an Ngonyama rental from Pretoria that two women had rented. The axle broke en route. They phoned the rental company and were told to continue with the trip as planned but to book into lodges and Nongame would pay for the lodging. Nongame then drove up and replaced the axle then drove the caravan up into Modem park and returned it to the women... now that is good service.
A couple of hundred keys later and we were in Maun where I had to pay for the camping that night in Modem Game Park. We turned into the shopping complex where the safari company is that we had to pay and found a Woolworths food store so first call became pork pies and cold drinks.
After lunch and payment we refuelled and hit the road. Forty keys along the road and it disintegrated into talcum powder sand for the next fifty. Two hours later we reached the park and campsite entrance and a very surprised game warden,
“ But no bikes are allowed in the park... “.
“But we are only camping at the campsite...” I replied.
“Eish and you ride here just to camp??? You are mad.”
That night we enjoyed cheese and biscuits with tinned tuna and chicken for supper, with warm whiskey.
The whole idea of camping at South gate in Moremi is that there is a resident hyena or two that are always in the campsite at night. Wayne has never camped nor been outside RSA so this should be a treat. That night we were visited by three hyenas, and one of which seemed very interested in the Yamaha. Wayne did not sleep much.
24th March: Day 4.
Whilst checking out at the reception we were asked about the Lions!!! Evidently South Gate also has a resident pride of Lions. The scary thing is that both Wayne and I had been walking around just outside of the campsite looking for Hyenas last night armed with only a small led torch. The campsite is also not fenced off at all. Ha ha... gulp. Africa is definitely not a place for sissies
.
Due to the struggle getting through the sandy road yesterday we deflated tyres properly to 1.4 bar. Wow... we sailed over the sand, passing a few 4x4s and made it to the tar road in just over a half an hour.
With both of us now suffering from “lamboudia”(sore arse) we decided to cut out the western part of the trip as there wasn’t much to do and the distances were a lot further than going East. Back to Maun and back past Planet Baobab took us to Nata and we booked into Nata Lodge camping early afternoon. It wasn’t long before we hurt the pool and rehydrated with copious amounts of St Louis Export Lager. Mebbe Africa was not sooo bad after all.
The ride into the campsite was thick sand but we were now used to this and in no time we had camp set up under some trees and next to a fire pit. We decided to not erect the tents but rather to put our mattresses on our ground sheets. After a great supper in their restaurant and more beers around a fire we called it a night. Wayne woke to a noise shortly later to see that we had an audience of children and a few adults that were quite amazed that we were sleeping merely on our mattresses. As he rolled over to go back to sleep he heard one child say, “Ag shame, hulle het nie eers tente nie”.
At around 1am I awoke to find about seven million mosquitoes trying to carry me away, even though I had showered myself in Tabard. It was insane!!! I admitted defeat and put up my tent, which allowed me good and safe sleep.
25 March: Day 5.
Packed up and hit Nata Engen to refuel and grab a Wimpy breakfast. Thereafter it was up the road to Kasane. This road must be the most exciting road in Botswana due to the game that is often seen on it and I was anxious for Wayne to experience it. Not long into the ride we started to see game. Elephant (lots of), Giraffe, Steenbok and Baboon sightings left Wayne in 7th heaven and made the ride enjoyable albeit long due to the stops. In Kasane the Warthogs lined the street for us too.
We booked into the Chobe Safari Logs Camping and were given a campsite some twenty meters from the water’s edge of the Chobe River. As had become custom whilst one booked in the other would fetch two cold beers from the pub. Windhoek draft was ice cold yet left a bad taste in our mouths when we were given the account. P40 each for a half litre draught... Goeie Fok maar dis duur. St Louis and Black Label was set better at P18 each and so the move away from draught was quickly made.
We set up camp and booked for the evening game boat ride. The boat ride is great as it chugs up the river through the Chobe Game reserve, and during the day a lot of elephants swim across to the islands and their sweet grass. At dusk they swim back so sightings of animals in the water were plentiful, whilst sipping on cold beer with the call of Fish Eagles in the background.
Once back at the lodge it was evident that the P190 evening buffet was stupidly expensive so we ventured out to find food. We ended up at Thebe River Safaris, run by Saffricans and settled for 400 gram t-bones with garlic sauce at a decent P80 each. The beers were cold too. Next time in Kasane I will rather camp at Thebe River Safaris.
26th March: Day 6.
Early morning one of the other campers found a crocodile in camp and for some strange reason had to come wake up the bikers and ask for help. By the time that we got there the Crocodile had moved back into the water and was gone.
We left the tents and unnecessary stuff behind and went off to Zimbabwe, to Victoria Falls. Due to the temperatures during the day we rode in shorts, t-shirts and takkies. Thirty six US Dollars and we were in Zimbabwe. Although we were in a game reserve we didn’t see any game en route to the falls, and the road block that we were stopped at was a culmination of smiles and friendliness. The locals are very proud of their country and themselves.
Victoria Falls is huge and wet. The mist envelopes everything and makes the view sites a freaky rain in 36 degrees heat. After the walk to all the view sites we stopped at the restaurant for lunch. After a local beer and an hour and a half wait we left and had snacks out of our panniers, before walking across the bridge into Zambia. Now how weird is this ... we were standing in Zambia drinking a Mosi beer, our motorbikes were in Zimbabwe and all our kit was in Botswana!!! The trip back to Botswana was uneventful and we made a couple of stops in Kasane for more beer, Captain Morgan (as my whiskey was finished) and two of the largest and greatest rump steaks around. Supper was a braai with our camping neighbours (that happened to also be our same camping neighbours in Nata).
That night we were visited by Hippo, and their spoor that we saw the next morning put them quite close to our tents.
27th March: Day 7.
After a hot coffee and brekkie we packed up and prepared to leave. Got on the BMW and the bloody thing would not start ... battery dead as a Dodo!!! Bollocks. I managed to borrow another camper’s jumper cables and with that got the bike going. Odd as there was no warning. Stopped to refuel and had just enough battery power to start her. Sorted ... off to either Nata Lodge again or push it through to Francistown for the start of the homeward stage. There wasn’t too much game alongside the road and the kays flew by.
Got stopped at a Veterinary fence and had to switch off the bike. Bollocks battery still flat but before I could complain the occupants of a military truck full of new recruits gave me a push and after promising to ride through the chemical bath and get my feet wet, we were allowed to continue.
Got to Nata Engin and refuelled, plus a Wimpy breakfast and was ready to go. As it was still rather early in the afternoon we decided to push to Francistown to kill distance. Stripped off the seat and lifted the fuel tank to check but the terminals were tight and everything looked fine. Bolloks again, but managed to get a jump start from a kind passerby in a Land Cruiser. Unfortunately there is not much in Nata so I was only too happy to ride on to Francistown... mebbe we can get a set of jumper leads there which will make our trip a lot easier.
The trip down to Francistown was rather boring except for the part where a Donkey bailed across the road in front of us at top speed, followed by a black boy that was starkers, naked!!!
We were planning to book into Woodlands yet the person that helped me start the bike referred us to the Cresta Marang lodge instead, with camping. Fantastic grassy lawns greeted us with cold beer and a lovely swimming pool. After setting up camp we went off to find and got a set of jumper cables. Sorted.
Should have known that being back in civilisation the food would be crappy and expensive, yet all the staff were toshed up in their finest uniforms and kept running around apologising. So we moaned about paying the bill but left a good tip. After too much Captain Morgan we called it a night.
28th March: Day 8.
It turns out that Wayne had told his Mrs that he would be back on this day as it was their wedding anniversary. We packed up, ate the last of the tinned tuna and chicken; and hit the road. Turned the bike key and she started first time, so it seems that if you threaten the battery with jumper cables then she works.
Once out of the mayhem town of Francistown we made good time to Kwa Nokeng Lodge at the Martin’s Dift border post. There we stopped for lunch and I got to personally thank Clinton for the tyre and return the second tyre to him. He refused any form of payment, and actually argued against the mere thought of payment. Hell what a guy!!! I may just ride up to him one day and give him something to show my gratitude.
Got through the Botswana side of the border post without any hiccups but ended up in a queue on the RSA side for an hour and a half until Wayne stripped his moer and demanded to be treated with the respect that a returning resident and citizen deserved. Holy Cow, it worked and we were bundled and pushed to an empty window where we were suddenly helped, passports stamped and we were through.
Nice twisty roads got us to Thabazimbi and a couple of hours later we shook hands and went home. Wayne managed to drop his bike as we stopped outside Thabazimbi for a pit stop but the crash bars did their job and apart from a laugh at his pride, no damage was done. BTW the bike still starts first time.
Distance: 3500 kms
Negative points:
1. The tyre that burst yet it actually turned out to be a plus point as it set the scene for a great trip.
2. Chobe Safari Lodge is not what it was and in future I will rather stay somewhere else.
Positive points:
1. Fuel in Botswana sells for P9.70
2. The Botswana people must be the friendliest people in the world. They have “westernized” in the fact that no one is fat and lazy (that we came across), and they all speak well, walk tall with pride and everyone wears deodorant. The African black/ white segregation is not a colour bar but rather a cultural choice.
3. Smiles go a long way. Even in Zimbabwe and Zambia everyone was friendly and happy.
Hennie Rautenbach
Motorbike Trip Report: Botswana: March 2013.
Optirite
Dankie groot baas... it was fun!!!
MC
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A.H. (Eric) Sommer
Thanks James – Filed! J
A.H. (Eric) Sommer
Yikes Mike!
My @rse is now seriously itchy!
Hennie Rautenbach
Marc Hall
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Marc Hall
Optirite
LOL!!!
Hennie Rautenbach
--
Hennie Rautenbach
Bruce Turner
Hennie Rautenbach
Nakkiran Sunassee
Mike Lauterbach
Reminds me the first time we camped in Luderitz. It was blowing like hell, and we had about 20mm rain. Their yearly average is less than 10mm
Cheers
Mike
Michael Spencer-Wilson
Doesn't surprise me about the shortage of shower's and maintenance
needed, from some written posts. From now on we'll supply our own gas
shower, not gonna let this crap spoil for futures trips. I also see
great value when folks share their tracks....we need more. Thanks
James :)
Mike
On Apr 5, 3:39 pm, Mike Lauterbach <zs5...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Nice pics!
>
> Reminds me the first time we camped in Luderitz. It was blowing like
> hell, and we had about 20mm rain. Their yearly average is less than 10mm
>
> Cheers
> Mike
>
> On 05/04/13 15:25, Nakkiran Sunassee wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> > Spent the long weekend in the Tankwa Karoo NP. It must have rained
> > their entire year's average while we were there :)
>
> > Some pics & video:
>
> >http://youtu.be/232IKpXatrg
>
> > <https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-hbKtRQ8X_1c/UVncDhmeYQI/AAAAAAAAXZ...>
>
> >https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-cUlfsl8XkSs/UVneHStlL3I/AAAAAAAAXb...
> > <https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-cUlfsl8XkSs/UVneHStlL3I/AAAAAAAAXb...>
>
> >https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-e6iHXJSxOU8/UVnecZUCvNI/AAAAAAAAXb...
> > <https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-e6iHXJSxOU8/UVnecZUCvNI/AAAAAAAAXb...>
>
> >https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-iiMVd-MeeAI/UVnfH0iIn_I/AAAAAAAAXd...
> > <https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-iiMVd-MeeAI/UVnfH0iIn_I/AAAAAAAAXd...>
Douw Kruger
Sailed in the Holiday 23 Fun Worlds in St Helena Bay. Boat motor kaput and only fixed in time for third day. Still enjoyable. Came second last. If we sailed all the races we would probably have been last.
Mike Cliff
Sent from my Toaster using the Microwave and Cheese.
Hennie Rautenbach <hennie.r...@gmail.com> wrote:
I see you have also added a (very) few images to Flickr:
LOL!!!
MC
From: overlan...@googlegroups.com [mailto:overlan...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Hennie Rautenbach
Sent: 05 April 2013 12:20 PM
To: overlan...@googlegroups.com
Subject: [Overland] Re: Easter travels ?
Grootbaas se moer...
On Friday, April 5, 2013, Optirite wrote:
Dankie groot baas... it was fun!!!
MC
From: overlan...@googlegroups.com [mailto:overlan...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Hennie Rautenbach
Sent: 05 April 2013 11:11 AM
To: overlan...@googlegroups.com
Subject: Re: [Overland] Easter travels ?
Awsome !
On Fri, Apr 5, 2013 at 10:56 AM, Optirite <opti...@mweb.co.za> wrote:
Motorbike Trip Report: Botswana: March 2013.
<trimmed>
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Vlok, J. (James)
Tracks as promised. You will see the times the GPS froze, but most of the important section from Memel to the pass is intact. You will see the little diversion just before the pass waypoint, that is the look out. We stopped at the pass sign, slightly lower than the lookout, but I did not take a waypoint so not sure if it is where the GPS point is.
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James Vlok Finance GL Team Manager | Project 4321 - ERP Transformation Journey | Nedbank Limited Second Floor 24 Central Sandown Sandton 2196 South Africa | PO Box 1144 Johannesburg 2000 South Africa t +27 (0)11 295 7439 f +27 (0)11 294 7439 c +27 (0)82 900 3066 @ jam...@nedbank.co.za Website: www.nedbank.co.za |
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From: overlan...@googlegroups.com [mailto:overlan...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of A.H. (Eric) Sommer
Sent: 05 April 2013 09:19 AM
To: overlan...@googlegroups.com
Subject: RE: [Overland] Easter travels ?
James:
Did you record a track on this? Can you share?
Merwe Erasmus
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Merwe Erasmus
Optirite
A few pictures from my trip.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/organize/?start_tab=one_set72157633166984479
Cheers
Mike Cliff
From: overlan...@googlegroups.com
[mailto:overlan...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Optirite
Sent: 05 April 2013 10:57 AM
To: overlan...@googlegroups.com
Subject: RE: [Overland] Easter travels ?
Motorbike Trip Report: Botswana: March 2013.
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Peter Levey
http://www.flickr.com/photos/leveypa/
Optirite
Bollocks, sorry guys. Should be:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/27824536@N00/sets/72157633166984479/