WHAT'S THE WEATHER LIKE?

Right now, the average maximum temperature at our destination is around the 35 - 38 degree C mark during the day, but it drops to between 1 and 5 degrees in the very early morning. It's likely to be very similar when we're there, so please be sure to have something warm to wear at night. Remember, it's not like you can go sit inside infront of the TV!

Currently, sunset is at around 5.30pm and sunrise is at approximately 7.00am. We can expect a few extra minutes of daylight by the time we get there, but not a whole lot more.

DEPOSIT

I've received the reservation form from BDWNP which needs to be returned with a P960 deposit. I'll take care of paying that, and just make a note of it the "expedition diary".

NEW MAP SHOWING KHANKE PAN

(click on the image to enlarge)

Our base is about 43kms north west of the gate. You might just be able to make out KH16-19 on the map. That'll be home for us during our time in Khutse - and a much better option than packing and unpacking all the time! If we have the energy, it may be an idea to take a day trip southwards to Moreswa. Once we've recovered from that, a shorter outing to Molose might also be a cool idea another day.

You'll also notice where our prospective overnight camp has been indicated on the cut-line, about 5kms south east of the gate (marked as the Game Scout Camp).

EXPEDITION FELLOWS

Here's a list of your fellow travellers, as it stands at the moment (it's alphabetical - and I'm sorry if I have names wrong or badly spelt!): Andy Dippenaar Andrew Roberts Bradley Short Brad Dinner Daniel Limpitlaw Janet Short Julian Pienaar Keith Roberts Rodney Buttle Wendy Buttle

BUCKS AND BUDGETS

VEHICLES
The most expensive element of the trip will be fuel. It might help you to calculate this expense to know that the park is approximately 650kms from JHB (+/-1300kms return). We should try to enter the park with a full tank, and it is advisable to carry at least 50/75 litres of spare fuel (in case the 4x4 going is tough, we need to tow another vehicle or we get lost - all of which guzzle fuel!)

PARK COSTS
Botswana Parks charge by the day, irrespective of whether you spend 24 hours in the park or one! The fees are as follows:

park entrance fee, per person, per day P120 (ZAR 141.00)

camping fee, per person, per day P30 (ZAR 35.00)

vehicle entrance, per vehicle per day, P20 (ZAR 24.00)

CATERING
In due course, we'll decide how best to organise this aspect of the trip so that it suits everyone. We can all put money into a kitty or perhaps we decide that each vehicle should provide for itself? Whatever the case, for budgeting purposes, I can't see it costing more than ZAR100 per person per day, all in. Drinks and beers and stuff should be considered seperately.

BORDER
If I recall correctly, there is a "road tax" payable on the Botswana side of the border. I can't remember the exact amount but I think it's around P50.

You will need ownership and registration papers for your vehicle on both sides. I always carry a letter from my insurer too, to certify that it is covered. If your vehicle is not your own (hired or a company vehicle, for instance) you will need a formal letter stating you have permission to move the vehcile out of the country.

WE HAVE A BOOKING!

It's been absolutely impossible to get hold of the Botswana Dept of Wildlife and National Parks so I asked a mate of mine in Gabs to please do the booking for us, which he's done. Unfortunately, there isn't anything available in the area I was hoping for (Moreswa Pan). Luckily though, he's been able to secure a booking for all four nights at campsite kh18 Khanke Pan! Khanke Pan is in the north, close to the border of the Central Kalahari Game Reserve. There are a number of other pans in the area, so there'll be a lot to explore. For a trip that's so fleeting, it's a huge advantage to have one "base" because you don't have to waste precious time setting up and breaking camp. There are much better things to do!

VEHICLES. WHAT YOU NEED.

There is no need for each and every vehicle to carry things like hi-lift jacks, winches and spades. Between us, however, we need the following, at least:

2 spades
1 hi-lift jack (make sure your vehicle has jacking points!)
1 snatch strap
2 x tow ropes (inc shackles)
1 x 400 amp jumper cables
1 heavy duty axe
1 rough tooth saw

DON'T FORGET YOUR GLOVES. YOU'LL BE GLAD OF THEM WHEN WE HAVE TO STOP AND SAW A PIECE OF WOOD IN HALF FOR THE FIRE!

Please be sure that your own vehicle has the usual, vehicle specific supply of spares:
fan belts
fuses
radiator hoses
alternator brushes
spark plugs

FIRST AID

(above: An ordered kitchen is a happy kitchen! Brad gets coffee going.)

I carry a reasonably comprehensive first aid kit which is good for basic, simple things like burns, strains, cuts and grazes, aches and pains and so on. There are even one or two "sharps" in case we end up in some remote clinic with a dubious auotclave!

PLEASE ENSURE THAT YOU CARRY WHATEVER PERSONAL FIRST AID ITEMS YOU REQUIRE (EG: ANTIHISTAMINES, ADRENALIN PENS, ASTHMA TREATMENTS ETC). WE ARE AT LEAST FIVE HOURS FROM THE NEAREST REASONABLE MEDICAL FACILITY (IN GABS)

ALL IMPORTANT ABLUTIONS!

Recent additions certainly make showering a little easier but in my experience, however, the long drop facility is best left well alone. These facilities are not maintained or monitored by the park and, for me personally, a careful little walk into the bush is actually far better! I have some experience in this area and have a special over-shoulder pack (spade included) which is a much better option. Dig a quick hole, read a few pages of a magazine and then light a quick fire to get rid of the tissue - it's actually all part of the wilderness experience!

SOME ESSENTIALS TO BRING ALONG

(above: Campsite 24 at Moreswa. Great shade and a great view of the expansive pan. Let's hope we can get space here.)

We should try and avoid duplication of bulky, heavy items like camp tables and chairs, hi-lift jacks and so on. But it's always useful to have your own packing list for more personal things. I hope this is a helpful guide:

A ROOF OVER YOUR HEAD
We don't know yet who will have roof-top tents or ground tents. Rest assured though you won't have to go out and buy these expensive items, as between us we have plenty of resources. Sleeping in the open is strictly out though - even if you are adventurous. We'd like everyone to come back in one piece!

BEDDING
Things like stretchers, inflatable matresses and safari mats can be expensive and are really only useful in ground tents of course. As we get closer to the time, we'll see who's got what to share. What you should have, of your own, is a pillow and a sleeping bag. Oddly enough, cold often comes from the bottom, so a fleece blanket (or somethhing similar) underneath you is quite a good idea.

FOR YOUR PERSONAL COMFORT
I expect the days to be mild but the nights to be cold (I've actually never been to Khutse at this time of year). I would bring a track suit, fleece trousers and a warm jacket, or something similiar, to wear at dinner time around the fire. Remember, it's not as though you can go and sit inside! If you have space, a scarf and beenie might also be a good idea. Shorts and a comfortable shirt will be the order of the day for daytime, I'm sure. There's no royalty coming with us on this trip so please be casual. It's even okay to wear the same pair of shorts two days in a row - we won't tell! This'll also help with your packing space.

I find it's useful to have a full sized towel, just in case a shower is in the offing. But a small hand towel is also useful for abluting in the morning.

As well as your daytime or ordinary sneakers/boots I would also bring strops or sandals.

DON'T FORGET A WIDE BRIMMED HAT. NOT AS "COOL" AS A CAP BUT MUCH BETTER FOR YOU!

LOTIONS AND POTIONS
Please bring a good sunblock and insect repellent (if not for mosquitoes, then for ticks etc!)
There's a range of camping soaps/gels available that are good for washing hair, faces and bodies all in one - so you only need to bring a single bottle instead of three. It contains citronella too, whch helps repel bugs. Check out your nearest Outdoor Warehouse.

Obviously, don't forget your usual toothpastes and anti-wrinkle creams etc, but remember that space is at a premium. If you can do without it, leave it behind. If you can decant your requirements into a smaller container, then do it.

ENTERTAINMENT
A good mix of magazines is usually at hand. It's also quite a good idea to bring along a compendium of games like Scrabble, dominoes, cards and so on. As with everything, we should try and plan so that we don't end up with 4 bulky boxes of Trivial Pursuit!

I have a peculiar and personal habit of suggesting that folks who enjoy their music should enjoy it on their own headphones! I know it sounds old fashioned and cliched but there's nothing better than the sound of the bush at night - and someone else's favourite CD can unintentionally - but easily - spoil the experience a little!

REMEMBER, A TRIP TO THE BUSH IS A PERSONAL AND VERY SPECIAL EXPERIENCE. PLEASE FEEL COMPLETELY AT EASE IF YOU WANT TO SIT QUIETLY ON YOUR OWN AND READ A BOOK OR WRITE POETRY OR WHATEVER! IT'S YOUR TIME - MAKE THE MOST OF THE QUIETNESS AND PEACE. THERE'S NO PRESSURE.....

SEEING AND REMEMBERING
If you have a good set of binoculars, bring them. There are always birds, animals, fellow adventurers and other interesting things to see. And don't forget your camera - AND SPARE BATTERIES! I've also taken along a mini voice recorder on previous trips, which is an easy and fun way to keep a diary. I also like to keep an informal log book in my vehicle; mostly because it gives us something to do!

EXPEDITION DATES

(above: A must-see - the water hole at Molose. Camping in ground tents here is not permitted because it's home to a pride of lion. This is where my mates Jono and Patrick went walking and almost literally bumped in them. They're lucky they're still around to tell the tale! We went a little off the road when we were here in 2006 and a thorn tree snatched Kyle's compass out of the window!)

Wednesday 8th August - depart Jo'burg approx 06h00 (It's much better fun to travel in convoy.To make it easier to get going so early in the morning, perhaps we should arrange a rendezvous point that is pretty central to everyone?)

We'll probably pull into Gabs at around 11h00 if the road is clear and the border easy going. It's a perfect time for brunch.

We should be near the reserve at around 16h00. I suggest we set up camp at about this time wherever we are, in order to have some daylight. Nothing worse than setting up camp in the dark, especially when you're camping "wild"

Thursday 9/10/11/12 August - chilling out and exploring Khutse!

Monday 13th August - all good things must come to an end. We should leave the camp early. If we're lucky enough to get campsite 24 at Moreswa, it's at least 2 hours to the gate. We'll take it nice and easy on the way home, and should be back in JHB at around 19h00/20h00.

CAMPING ON THE CUTLINE

(above: April 2006. Our camp on the cutline, a few meters off the tack.)

"Cutlines" can be found all over Botswana, particularly in areas around the national parks. Because they're graded and cleared they can easily be mistaken for roads. To the best of my knowledge, they serve two main purposes. Firstly and I think most importantly, they act as firebreaks. As much of Botswana is incredibly dry most of the year round, you can imagine the constant risk of fire. Cutlines are also used as "borders", demarcating provincial boundaries, farm lands and reserve areas. The cutline we'll be discovering on our trip to Khutse is occasionally patrolled by the BDF and parks officials, but don't worry, we've never been questioned and I'm sure we won't be this time either. None the less, it's a good idea to be discreet and to set up camp a little way off the track. Last time we were there, we actually saw a little red VW Fox chugging its way through the thick sand! In 2006, the cutline was very overgrown and may not even be visible anymore. If this is the case, I suggest we back track a little and look for another spot that'll suit our purposes.

KHUTSE CALLING

(above: The new gate at Khutse. Last time I was here, we turned left and headed up the old cutline to find a campsite for the night. I recorded the coordinates so we can head there again or find a new place for a good night's rest.)

So, we've got a great team, an amazing destination to plot into the GPS and a start date! Yup, Khutse is calling and we're answering!

I thought a blog would add an interesting technological element to our expedition in the wilderness as well as a little extra fun. I hope it'll also be helpful in terms of our preparations.

Hope you enjoy....and be sure to visit regularly.