Savuti & Moremi track conditions (till end of August)

[come-along.nl]

OK road conditions in Moremi as at 20 - 22 June 2010:
The road from Maun to South Gate was fine until you turned left at the
Y (South Gate left, Mankwe & Mababe right).
The last 40 or so km was getting progressively worse as a result of
the tourist traffic as well as additional traffic as a result of the
difficulty in passing through Khwai.

South Gate to North Gate was OK, except for some driep up mudholes
that were quite deep.

North Gate to Xakanaxa was fine if you stuck to the bottom roads. The
water's edge routes were impassable. There was only one water passage
that needed to be negotiated to which a rental Hilux succumbed
(probably a day earlier).

Xakanaxa to 3rd Bridge was easy going. 4th Bridge was fine as was 3rd
bridge. Just be careful when exiting 3rd bridge going from Xakanaxa
towards the 3rd bridge camp - stick to the right hand side as the
centre had deteriorated into a really deep waterfilled hole that came
over the bonnet of a 33" tyred and suspension lifted Cruiser station
wagon! At times there was a bit of thick sand, but we towed a trailer
through the area without problems. 2nd Bridge was a mess and we drove
around it through the river. Never seen so much water between 3rd
Bridge and South Gate via the bottom route!

Source: Herbie aka Soutman

[come-along.nl]

July 2010 Track Conditions


Here are the latest road conditions from Kurt McKenzie's latest Safari from 15th – 25th July 2010 from Kasane through Chobe and Moremi to Maun.

The Chobe River Front is accessible, although a little sandy in places but not much of a challenge.

Chobe River to Savuti:

From Ngoma Gate through the villages to Kachikau the Chinese contractors are busy upgrading the road from Gravel to Tar, there are many Lorrie’s, excavators and Bull dozers all over the roads with many detours as well slowing up progress. Once past Kachikau the road is really sandy until the cutline (+/- 5km), then it is sandy and bumpy most of the way to Ghoha Gate, the sand is nothing to worry about. From Ghoha Gate to Savuti if one takes the airstrip road there is no problem, however if one goes left at the fork I believe it is quite sandy. The Savuti River slowed down earlier this month and the water level dropped about 2 Foot, Last week however I noticed it has risen again about one foot and will probably rise a little more over the next couple of weeks. To cross the actual channel is no big problem, the best is to stay on the upstream side just to the left of the fence post and cross in Low Range as the ground is very rocky, the water is only about knee deep.

Savuti to Khwai:

From Savuti the first 20km is not bad just a little bumpy every so often, once the sand ridge is reached you need to be a little cautious as it is very sandy now for about 7km, after that it is fine all the way to Mababe Gate. From Mababe Gate along the Gravel Road is no challenge at all, if going to Mogotho Camp turn left at the sign board or proceed straight if going onto Moremi Game reserve. When the river is reached cross on the left if going to Moremi, Beware the water is deep; it will go over the bonnet of a cruiser or a defender. The next two crossings keep left, go steady. At the village there is another crossing, There is now a concrete bottom, but beware the water has washed away some of the sand so there is bit of a step onto and off the concrete pad.

Khwai to Xakanaxa:

The Khwai river is rising again, so be careful when driving around the flood plains, the river crossing after Dombo Hippo pool is getting deep, there are two crossings, the first one is a little muddy but shallow, the second one is sandy but deep, best to walk the crossings first to check the depth and the bottom. After the crossing the road is fine to Xakanaxa.

Xakanaxa to 3rd Bridge:

The road is as normal fine, after 4th bridge there is the usual sand patch with many roads going around and through. At 4th Bridge cross with caution, some of the logs are loose, once across go left around the deep water hole and then keep hard left next to the termite mound through the next puddle. They are building a new stronger, higher bridge but it looks like it won’t be finished for about another two or three months.

Xakanaxa to South Gate and Khwai to South Gate:

Both these roads have recently been graded so are a little slippery with the sand but no problems otherwise.

3rd Bridge to South Gate:

I have not used this road this year. But getting second hand info from my staff they said it was ok, very wet but ok. If you are unsure then go via Xakanaxa rather.

South Gate to Maun:

The road to the Veterinary fence has also been graded so no problems there. Please be aware the speed limit is 60km/hr, many people are exceeding this up to 100km/hr and there have been several near misses as there are many blind corners. From the Veterinary fence to Shorobe is no problem and then from Shorobe to Maun is the usual tar road with Plenty of Donkey, Goats and Cattle obstacles.

Source: Maunselfdrive4x4

[come-along.nl]

Hello People,
I have just returned from a six-week trip, part of which was a week in Moremi and Chobe in mid-July. I plan to post a more detailed account later, so this time it's only a brief note. Had two cars in our party, a Landcruiser 70 and a Discovery 4; this latter only "street edition", straight out from the dealership with absolutely no modification. No problems in Moremi. 1st bridge was down, the by-pass on the left was deep and tricky, up to the hood (bonnet) and splashes through the open window. The by-pass around 2nd bridge was no problem, about 50 cm deep. 3rd bridge was still functional, although quite rickety, with the beams sinking about 30 cm under water. There were two significant pools to cross just before 4th bridge; both required careful walking and scouting. The shallowest section we found was up to the hood. The big problem was north of North Gate. The new bridge just outside the gate was a welcome breeze, something that gave us hope for the rest of the route to Savuti. Unfortunately, it turned out to be false hope. Following the instructions we received from the park staff at North Gate, we easily found the by-passes around two large pools that had flooded the road. A good 10 km from North Gate however we encountered a huge flooded section that we could not cross. We checked at least 8-9 different alternatives on either side of the main track, spending a good 2-3 hours scouting the region, all in vain. Either we were completely lost (we had the latest edition of Tracks 4 Africa GPS maps), were too afraid to attempt the deep crossings, or the crossing just was not possible. Drove back to South Gate and the main road, and reached Mabane Gate quite late, after 4 p.m. The good news is that the famous, or infamous, Sand-ridge Road was absolutely nothing, a super easy drive, although it was after sunset when finally we drove into Savuti Camp.

Source: 4x4community.co.za

Indeed this area North of North Gate is difficult! But we have been passing through on 22th July.

To resume (photos to come) : shortly after leaving the new transit road, the main track becomes a river without you can see the end. As my Hilux had a snorkel, I engaged first and crossed the flooded part (more than 1 meter depth) with no problem (but the heart beats!). One of my colleague tried to get round, but even if the soil seemd solid it wasn't and he got completely stuck in mud. We towed the car with not too much problems. Finally, after checking most swallow ways with the snorkel equiped 4x4, all 3 hilux crossed. Further, the track turned into a river again. But this time it ended in something like a large lake! U-turn… A guide we had crossed in the morning had said left, always left. So we tried a secondary track at the left. And it was the one ! The water was crossed with not more than 80 cm depth.

After having tried left and right to find the best crossings, we arrived to Kwaï village. But between it and us: a (very) large waterhole! On the other side, men on an antique Land Rover shout us to start on the left and then to cross between both posts in the middle. One of us go by foot up to the posts and it seems OK. But what the people "forgot" to mention is that ther is a (high) step just after the posts! As usual with the snorkel, I tried first, the 4x4 front plunged down the step with water up to the windscreen. Adrenalin was high, but we finally crossed. Local people clapped their hand and laughed, laughed… What a joke!

But no way to try this for both other Hilux without snorkels… The people say there is now other way! We are only few km of good road from the camp and we should go back now? What a pity! And no way we could reach North Gate today then. We were thinking about fixing an inner tube to the air intake or something like this. Local people said to fully close the air intakes. But what if the engine stalls in the middle with no air? We are a bit irritated with their "good" advices now. And a miracle happened: a Patrol came in front of us on the other side, turned left… and disappeared. But few minutes later, it appeared again, on our bank! So, there is a way!

Local people say: "no other way, bad, bad, very muddy!", but I get to see and yeaaaahhh… Here is the good crossing! On the right side when you come from North. Few minutes later we are in North Gate camp… About 20 km in 4 hours including a short lunch break.

Source: 4x4community.co.za

Hallo all,

I just returned from Botswana and can assure you that the stretch from Maun to Kasane through Moremi & Chobe NP ist OK. Here and there a lot of soft sand but no problems in low gear. First bridge in Moremi is closed, river not passable. Third and Fourth Bridge are OK to cross but check them on foot before you negotiate them. Keep far right at Fourth Bridge watercrossing when travelling in the direction of Third Bridge

Source: Paul Zutter - Namibia-forum.ch

[come-along.nl]

Just got back from Botswana (28 July - 3 August): We drove from South Gate to Third Bridge. From there we drove to Kwhai via North Gate and on up to Kasane. I had snorkels fitted to my Defenders but to be honest we did not need them.

The water levels have essentially peaked. For info this is the situation we encountered.

South Gate to Third Bridge - no problems. First Bridge has some water but only knee deep on the left hand side. Second Bridge you can easily get through just to the left of the bridge or alternatively a totally dry route goes around the bridge towards Mboma and joins back to the Third Bridge road. You do not have to go via Xakanaka to Third Bridge.

Third Bridge to North Gate - the biggest drama was Fourth Bridge. Some guys were going through the water about thigh deep. We just spent some time making sure the logs on the bridge were in place and secure - they get loosened up by the water- and then crossed the bridge with no problems. Guys with trailers might struggle a bit. Anyway DWNP are building a new Fourth Bridge and making good progress and I wouldn't be surprised if it is finished in a months time. There is a couple more water crossings on the way but none were more than knee deep.

North Gate to the Kwhai River - you cannot at this stage drive along the river and need to stick to the main road.There are two crossings to do here. As you drive out on the main road you will come across the river crossing the main road. It is deep. However maybe 50m before this there is a detour through the bush. You then will need to cross some water. We didd it on the far right with no problems. Maybe pushed up to bonnet level but not over. A bit deeper than knee deep but really no problem. You then join the main road again. A bit further there is another crossing - same again - maybe as deep as mid-thigh but if you stick to the far right there is no problem. In fact my wife was driving one of our Defenders and got through these crossings easily.

You can then access the river further on by sticking to the main road and following the Magotho camp site signs.

Khwai to Savute - no problem just use the main road towards Mababe village. No water at all.

Savuti - the channel is flowing strongly and the marsh is starting to flood. However the upper road is fine with no water crossings. The Savuti is something to see with all the water - just wont be able to drive on the marsh.

Savute to Kasane - no water just lots of dust and sand.


In summary it is no problem to get around even now ansd will get easier and easier until the summer rains.

Source: 4x4community

[kingshaka]

Fergies says:

Just returned from a fabulous trip through Moremi, Savuti and Chobe, will post a full report if anyone is interested and can give up to date advice on conditions etc. The pic is of the third water crossing around 4 kms from Khwai camp on the way to Savuti. This was the most difficult crossing and was around 80cm, once through this it was fairly straight forward. The Landy was the star of the show (apart from the wildlife) and we were sad to hand her over in Kasane....

Source: 4x4community

[come-along.nl]

Flood levels has been dropping in Maun now for the past week. Many places in the Delta also starting to dry up!
The water drops at around 7 mm - 12 mm per day now. Just got back from a scenic flight and you could clearly see how the rivers has dropped.

Source: Rob Eden (www.kavangoair.com)

[come-along.nl]

Some pictures of the crossings…

1 & 2 - Savuti Channel. Hard to imagine there have been no water there for 30 years!
3 - The "lake" we didn't dare.
4 - This one we crossed
5 & 6 - Crossings
7 - The large pool near Khwaï village
8 & 9 - Between North Gate and Xakanaxa.

There is also a lot of water South-West from Xakanaxa. We've tried to reach Dead Tree Island, but noway!

Source: 4x4community

[come-along.nl]

UPDATE August 18:

Customers of mine went from Savuti via Magotho (Khwai community) to North Gate.

SMS from Maun: "From Magotho to North Gate loads of water. Made it through but barely. 4 deep watercrossings. Didn't see much game but at Khwai a Zebra kill 150 meters away! "

[come-along.nl]

Here are some pics taken in the first two weeks of August:
Source: 4x4community

Moremi:

[come-along.nl]

Here are some pics taken in the first two weeks of August:
Source: 4x4community

Savuti: