Scottish Elises

I'm planning another Land Rover Trip into Botswana (maybe Namibia) next Easter and looking to see if there may be any interest in joining in.

In order to be 'safe' then the minimum is two landrovers (ideally 2 max 3 per machine).

Route - will start from J'burg into Botswana then probably trans Kalahari to the Okovango Delta, Chobe then back through Makadakgadi (Top Gear challenge Salt Pans) south to Johannsburg. (Alternative would be west into Namibia)

Living conditions- tents on the roof of the Landy's, cooking over the fire - rough!

The trip will be pretty isolated, camps are likely to be sparse with a long drop toilet at best. Scenery and animals are likely to be the main attractions for going.

Times, two weeks next easter, would like to try and schedule so the mid or last weekend is the Easter weekend (April 3rd/4th).

Cost - Flight £600 at the moment 1/2 Landrover £750 then fuel and food (Cheap) I'd guess about £1800 would be a good total budget figure.

If you are genuinely interested, please drop me a PM (general questions, just respond to this topic).

Some points to consider - you will be living in close quarters with others for 2 weeks, animals are easier to see close up at the Zoo, I will need commitment very quickly in order to secure the land rovers and flights at a good price, mobile phone signals are a bit patchy at best

I have two already (1 Land Rover) and would ideally need 2 more people minimum and would not like to go past 4 machines (8 people)

Some pics from the last one..







Note the reversing light!

Sounds like a fantastic trip at a very reasonable price.

If I wasn’t getting married next year I would be seriously considering it.

I would love to do something like this but got a wee one on the way so will need to wait a little while.

That would be a great way to spend 2 weeks

Thanks for the interest!

It was good fun last time and relatively inexpensive. Two of the original guys from last time have been hit by the current financial situation so are unable to make it.

It's one of those experiences that you will remember and talk about for a long time, even if it all goes smoothly

If I can get two more people then it's on. If not then I need to recruit elsewhere or postpone.

Cheers, Peter

Peter couple of questions if you dont mind?


Just how safe is it?

ie likely to get shot? swallowed by a hippo?

What sort of equipment would be needed?

Do you hire the jeeps and gear over there? or is it all pre booked?

VXJON wrote:That would be a great way to spend 2 weeks

Not for the person stuck in a tent with you.!!

Peter,

sounds , however, suspect unfortunatly that it might be a little close to my last African adventure and not sure if the bank account will support another one so quickly. I will however smash the piggy bank when I get home to see what's left.

For anyone else considering this kind of overlanding it's fantastic, a real escape from your normal work life.

On the point of security, one thing we found very comforting in Libya was our sat phone, it gave us a lot of confidence that we could always contact the outside even though it spent most of the time switched off in the bottom of a bag. Costs are minimal when divided up between a group c.£5 per day plus calls and no deposit if I remember correctly, if your interested let me know and I'll dig out the name of the company we hired it from.

Jon

VXJON wrote:Peter couple of questions if you dont mind?


Just how safe is it?

ie likely to get shot? swallowed by a hippo?

Compared to the East End?

VXJON wrote:Peter couple of questions if you dont mind?


Just how safe is it?

ie likely to get shot? swallowed by a hippo?

What sort of equipment would be needed?

Do you hire the jeeps and gear over there? or is it all pre booked?

VX Jon It's pretty safe, Botswana is a very stable country and the animals are fine if you stay in you vehicle and sleep with your limbs inside the tent (which is on the roof). The only incidents we had last year where 1 where Andy got between a Brown Hyena and some water that it wanted to drink (oh how we laughed as we ran for our cameras!) and one were I got a bit enthusiatic chasing a Honey Badger (hardest animal out there I reckon) and it turned round to reminded me who was boss.

Equipment is all supplied. the place I get the Land Rovers from has them fully kitted out with long range tanks, dual electrics, extra wheels etc etc Also fridges, towing and digging equipment cooking stuff etc. They also offer good support, they had to drive 15hrs with a spare machine for us as we broke one last to time

All you need to take is outdoor clothes, a camera and a sleeping bag.

Jon (xcl) would be great to have you along with your experience, slightly different from the sahara but still desert. We took a Sat phone last year and would do the same, would feel very isolated without one! Doubt it would be 10,000 k but we would be doing the length of Botswana which is about the size of France..( on dirt/sand roads)

Cheers, Peter

Cheers, Peter

Pete, would those be your preferred departure dates April 3rd/4th ?

Mike

Mikie711 wrote:Pete, would those be your preferred departure dates April 3rd/4th ?

Mike

I was hoping to return that weekend or the weekend after so leaving the weekend of 20th or 27th March.

Cheers, Peter

Peter this sounds interesting. We will have a chat about this on the 4th

No problem Mass, will chat then.

Just bumping this thread
I spoke to Peter today and it would appear that he needs one more person or the trip would have to be postponed .