Savuti & Moremi track conditions (till end of April - 2013)

[come-along.nl]

It's confirmed! New bridge just north of Khwai Village is in use! They are still working on it to finish the job. Hope to receive some pictures soon

Located here:



Cheers,
Hans

[come-along.nl]

Drive on Sandridge-Road in Botswana between Linyanti & Savuti Camp...

[come-along.nl]

How was the old road via the airstrip? Would you recommend it to get from North Gate to Khwai community camp?

Answer:



At the moment there are no issues using the old track with slight deviations, I have attached a google earth with drop pins so if you open your google earth and zoom in you will see the required track. Fortunately I got to know this area well over the years and have never used the transit road, there are always options as new diversion tracks have been created. There is one channel of water about 12km heading north from the village that needs to be negotiated.



This crossing is facing south so if you are outbound from the Kkwai village take the crossing to the right, it is about head light depth. If it doesnt look good then there is a crossing about 50 m west which is wheel depth, failing that back track slightly and head for the Khwai river and there is a mere puddle crossing about 100m from the main channel. There so many little tracks that will bring you back to the main track.

Once back on the main track continue to the pin and turn right, follow the via points on the track, go through two open areas and take this shallow crossing, turn immediately right after the crossing and head back to the main track which will take you along the Khwai river to the community camp area and on to Savuti if required.


Final drop pin shallow crossing.

This may sound like a mission but this is the current well used route and the only deviation from the airstrip track. Bare in mind that the transit road will be used more and therefore reported on, but is far less scenic

source: Andy - 4x4community

[come-along.nl]

Heavy rains across Botswana the last couple of days!

Here some quotes:

'more than 200mm in the Ngami area. Anyone know of any flooding?'

'Just drove from Ghanzi to Jwaneng, its raining all the way'

'Just a heads up to anyone travelling to Bots in the next couple of days - we've been experiencing pretty heavy rain, especially up in the North. Pack the winch if you're heading to Moremi...'

'Good Morning from a WET and SOAKED Maun! Its been raining for almost 3 days NON-Stop now, I have measured over a 180 mm of rain at my house and its still going strong. The averages seems well over a 140 mm all around at this moment with no sign of the weather lifiting. By looking at the weather satelite photo, we are in for a WET WET WET weekend also!'

http://weatherphotos.co.za/photos/rain_severe_new.jpg

[come-along.nl]

Moremi, January 16.

[come-along.nl]

Update Feb. 27:

Did all the crossings allready and am now at Chobe Safari Lodge. There was one deep crossing approx 5 km after North Gate on the detour where the water comes over the bonnet, but also this one was fine

source: Markus Niegtsch

[come-along.nl]

Update received from Arjen Koppelaar who was in Chobe & Moremi last week:

* Chobe Riverfront and Savuti area bumpy but no major problems and all accessible.
* From Mababe Gate to Khwai village (5 km north of North Gate) one major river crossing. Check depth first and then knew where to cross it.
* Tracks off the major ones in Moremi can be treacherous. Got stuck once but were helped-out by South Africans.

[come-along.nl]

Tracks close to Xakanaxa in Moremi (early March)

The camera used was later lost in one of the water crossings between Xakanaxa & Khwai (North Gate). If found then please contact me so we can hand it over to the rightful owner (Mr. Markus Niegtsch) from Germany...

Cheers, Hans

[selfdrive4x4]

This track between Xakanaxa and North Gate remains one of the best 'transit' game drive route between camps in Southern Africa!

[come-along.nl]

It's confirmed! New bridge just north of Khwai Village is in use! They are still working on it to finish the job. Hope to receive some pictures soon

Latest news is that the bridge just north of Khwai that would enable self drivers to avoid this water crossing is not finished & operational yet. Will be checking the situation personally in 4 weeks time

source: Sango Safari Camp