We can hire a satellite phone for US$8.50 per day. Outgoing calls are billed at US$2.50 per minute. Incoming calls are free. Of course we'd use it only in emergencies. It will also be possible to switch it on at a certain time each day, should family members want or need to contact one of the merry adventurers.
You can find out more at www.vodacom.co.za
Friday, July 27, 2007
OUR TRAILER
This is the trailer I can hire for R320 per day, excl VAT. We'll not be charged for the day we collect it or the day we drop it off. Hence, we'll pay for the 8th/9th/10th/11th/12th August only - a total of R1600.00 (excl VAT).
You can find out more at www.little5.co.za
PACKING PLANS - A NEW IDEA
At our last meeting, we discussed meeting on Saturday 4th August, at Andy's place, to "distribute" supplies and equipment amongst the vehicles and plan our packing. If everyone is okay with it, could we meet on Sunday 5th August at 2.30pm rather? a) I was thinking of getting some of the dry supplies on Saturday morning - meeting on Sunday will give us more time for this and b) I have some friends coming in from Botswana and we have an arrangement to go the theatre later on Saturday.
I hope it's not too incovenient.
Please let me know by e-mailing andy@pumpsa.com
I hope it's not too incovenient.
Please let me know by e-mailing andy@pumpsa.com
BOOKING CONFIRMED!
Grreeat news! Thanks to my mate in Gabs (Bryan) our deposit is paid and our reservation is confirmed! Try as I might, I just could not get through to the Botswana Parks Board to sort out the payment but Bryan very kindly went down there personally and sorted it out for us. We're one step closer....
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
Khutse Camp 16 from Space
Here is the view from Google Earth Of Camp 16. It is quite a distance into the park as indicated on the picture. Approx 13km (as the crow flies) from the main gate.
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
People Attending Khutse (update)
Morning All
Just a recap on who is traveling with us on this adventure. I have listed names in groups of 3 as discussed, this is how we will be traveling:
Toyota Hilux
Andy Dippenaar (AD)
Brad Dinner (BD)
Daniel Limpitlaw (DL)
Toyota Hilux
Brad Short (BS)
Janet Short (JS)
Keith Roberts (KR)
Land Rover
Rodney Buttle (RB)
Wendy Buttle (WB)
Julian Pienaar (JP)
A trailer might still be required. Andy will confirm this. @ approx: R450 p/d.
Currency
I will be ordering foreign exchange next week. If you require more than the agreed amount, Please advise soonest.
As agreed R1000
Park Entrance, Camping Fee and Car Entrance R736 pp per day
This does not include food and fuel.
Just a recap on who is traveling with us on this adventure. I have listed names in groups of 3 as discussed, this is how we will be traveling:
Toyota Hilux
Andy Dippenaar (AD)
Brad Dinner (BD)
Daniel Limpitlaw (DL)
Toyota Hilux
Brad Short (BS)
Janet Short (JS)
Keith Roberts (KR)
Land Rover
Rodney Buttle (RB)
Wendy Buttle (WB)
Julian Pienaar (JP)
A trailer might still be required. Andy will confirm this. @ approx: R450 p/d.
Currency
I will be ordering foreign exchange next week. If you require more than the agreed amount, Please advise soonest.
As agreed R1000
Park Entrance, Camping Fee and Car Entrance R736 pp per day
This does not include food and fuel.
Monday, July 23, 2007
MENU SUGGESTIONS
SOME IDEAS:
You've gotta start somewhere when you're planning a menu. So, here's our Khutse start. Please use this facility to exchange ideas and thoughts. Look forward to hearing your ideas.
Everyone should be able to post on this site, so go for it! (If you can't please just e-mail.)
Once we get some input on what people like - or don't - we'll put together a shopping list and plan....
Wednesday 8th August
Pack a couple of sarmies or roast chicken legs in your car (with a flask of coffee of course) for the early morning drive. We'll stop in Gabs for brunch.
After a long day's drive, we'll want a simple dinner, so I suggest pasta with a pre-prepared sauce. I have a pretty neat recipe for a napoletana sauce which consists of tomatoes, onions, olives, small slivers of crisp bacon, a dab of garlic and chilli and a little stir of fresh cream. It's easy to cook up some pasta and heat this delicious sauce.
Thursday 9th August
We'll want to pack up quickly to get into the park and to set up our base, so a light breakfast is suggested. Coffee, rusks, a slice of cheese and we'll be on our way.
It'll take a while to get to our camp, and then we'll be busy setting up house, so a finger type lunch is ideal. Perhaps a few slices of salami, pickles, cheese, crisps and dips, crackers and so on?
By the time the evening comes, we should be ready for a braai. I suggest the classic; steak, jacket potatoes, roast onions and a tomato and mozarella salad. Some good chocs and a port for dessert?
Friday 9th August
As usual, a light breakfast should be available with coffee, rusks, light cereal and fruit on hand.
Perhaps we'll pack a breakfast/brunch and take a day drive to another pan. A good brunch might consist of eggs, bacon, tomato, baked beans and toast (plus whatever might be left over from the braai last night?)
That means we'll probably return late to our camp and might want something easy and light.
It might be a nice idea to cook up a couple of rolls of boerie at our "away brunch" and this, with peppadews, asparagus and some cheeses might be a nice, low input dinner after a day out in the desert fields.
Saturday 10th August
The usual. When you dribble out of your tent, coffee, light cereal and fruit.
If we drove out yesterday, it'll be nice to stay put today. Perhaps a brunch of cold meats, tuna mayonnaise, pickles and cheeses for lunch at - or near - our base.
Then, a lekker early feast of beef fillet, jacket potatoes accompanied by a cucumber tomato and feta salad.
Sunday 11th August
It's habit. Early morning camp snacks of fresh brewed coffee, rusks and fruit.
Whether we drive out or stay at base, a Spanish omelette is always a brunch winner in the bush. You can add just about anything.
For our last night, it seems a varied banquet is in order. I think lamb chops, sausage and tee-bones should all go onto the fire, with butternut, roast onions and creamed sweetcorn.
Monday 12th August
Old habits die hard, so we'll have our usual as we start to pack up and get ready to head back to the big smoke. Already. With a tear in our eyes....
SOME THINGS TO REMEMBER
"Soft" fruit and veg do not do well on trips like this. We should avoid veggies like mushrooms, peppers and lettuce. Naartjies, avos and bananas can also be too squishy and troublesome. Firm veggies like potatoes, onions and butternut are good. Carrots, cucumber, gem squash, sweet potatoes and baby marrows are also good. Apples, pears, melons and oranges are okay - tomatoes are fine if you're careful with them.
SNACKS
It's easy to forget how filling snacks can be, and how one tends to nibble throughout the day.
Crisps, dry wors, biltong, chocs and dried fruit are really nice treats to have with you. At sundown, it's also nice to have a few crackers on hand for a smoked mussel and tabasco hors d'oeuvre. Stuffed olives are also a nice accompaniment to sundowners. A cheese spread or dip is also a good standby.
You've gotta start somewhere when you're planning a menu. So, here's our Khutse start. Please use this facility to exchange ideas and thoughts. Look forward to hearing your ideas.
Everyone should be able to post on this site, so go for it! (If you can't please just e-mail.)
Once we get some input on what people like - or don't - we'll put together a shopping list and plan....
Wednesday 8th August
Pack a couple of sarmies or roast chicken legs in your car (with a flask of coffee of course) for the early morning drive. We'll stop in Gabs for brunch.
After a long day's drive, we'll want a simple dinner, so I suggest pasta with a pre-prepared sauce. I have a pretty neat recipe for a napoletana sauce which consists of tomatoes, onions, olives, small slivers of crisp bacon, a dab of garlic and chilli and a little stir of fresh cream. It's easy to cook up some pasta and heat this delicious sauce.
Thursday 9th August
We'll want to pack up quickly to get into the park and to set up our base, so a light breakfast is suggested. Coffee, rusks, a slice of cheese and we'll be on our way.
It'll take a while to get to our camp, and then we'll be busy setting up house, so a finger type lunch is ideal. Perhaps a few slices of salami, pickles, cheese, crisps and dips, crackers and so on?
By the time the evening comes, we should be ready for a braai. I suggest the classic; steak, jacket potatoes, roast onions and a tomato and mozarella salad. Some good chocs and a port for dessert?
Friday 9th August
As usual, a light breakfast should be available with coffee, rusks, light cereal and fruit on hand.
Perhaps we'll pack a breakfast/brunch and take a day drive to another pan. A good brunch might consist of eggs, bacon, tomato, baked beans and toast (plus whatever might be left over from the braai last night?)
That means we'll probably return late to our camp and might want something easy and light.
It might be a nice idea to cook up a couple of rolls of boerie at our "away brunch" and this, with peppadews, asparagus and some cheeses might be a nice, low input dinner after a day out in the desert fields.
Saturday 10th August
The usual. When you dribble out of your tent, coffee, light cereal and fruit.
If we drove out yesterday, it'll be nice to stay put today. Perhaps a brunch of cold meats, tuna mayonnaise, pickles and cheeses for lunch at - or near - our base.
Then, a lekker early feast of beef fillet, jacket potatoes accompanied by a cucumber tomato and feta salad.
Sunday 11th August
It's habit. Early morning camp snacks of fresh brewed coffee, rusks and fruit.
Whether we drive out or stay at base, a Spanish omelette is always a brunch winner in the bush. You can add just about anything.
For our last night, it seems a varied banquet is in order. I think lamb chops, sausage and tee-bones should all go onto the fire, with butternut, roast onions and creamed sweetcorn.
Monday 12th August
Old habits die hard, so we'll have our usual as we start to pack up and get ready to head back to the big smoke. Already. With a tear in our eyes....
SOME THINGS TO REMEMBER
"Soft" fruit and veg do not do well on trips like this. We should avoid veggies like mushrooms, peppers and lettuce. Naartjies, avos and bananas can also be too squishy and troublesome. Firm veggies like potatoes, onions and butternut are good. Carrots, cucumber, gem squash, sweet potatoes and baby marrows are also good. Apples, pears, melons and oranges are okay - tomatoes are fine if you're careful with them.
SNACKS
It's easy to forget how filling snacks can be, and how one tends to nibble throughout the day.
Crisps, dry wors, biltong, chocs and dried fruit are really nice treats to have with you. At sundown, it's also nice to have a few crackers on hand for a smoked mussel and tabasco hors d'oeuvre. Stuffed olives are also a nice accompaniment to sundowners. A cheese spread or dip is also a good standby.
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