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Botswana Road Update - May 2012


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Botswana Road Conditions : May 2012

 

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.

 

Nata to Kasane on the tar road

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.

 

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.

 

Safe Driving !!!

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