Re: Savuti & Moremi track conditions (till end of Oct. - 201
Posted: Mon Sep 10, 2012 2:23 pm
Thank you for info Hans!
Information for self drive 4x4 trips in Namibia, Botswana, South Africa and other Southern African countries.
https://www.selfdrive4x4forum.com/phpBB3/
https://www.selfdrive4x4forum.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?t=559
Source: 4x4communityWater crossing between Khwai Village and North Gate along the bypass road is about 70 cm on left hand side fo about 5 meters, easy manageable when sticking to the prescribed path. First cross the left water puddle to reach the sandbank then turn hard right close to the roots of the old tree on the island and head back to the exit over the sand bank. From North Gate to Xakanaxa there is a dry route signposted, it turns just before dumbo hippo pool turn off, no water on the way any further
We stopped in Kwhai village to sort out a campsite at Magotho camp, a community run campsite on the northern banks of the khwai river. Paid our camping fees and nervously headed towards the river crossing... Arrived at the river crossing and we were the only souls around (apart from a herd of elephant about 300m around the corner that we only saw once we crossed ). I had asked the locals about the best line, and everyone felt that full right was the best. To me it looked DARK.....so I started poking around with my stick and it seemed to get deeper and deeper. So, as the old Camel ad went.." light up, and sit it out.." which we did until a musadi in a open back landy came up. She does this crossing everyday I guess, so I figured I would follow her. "No problem" she said, as she started taking off her shoes and socks in the Landy !! off she went, roaring straight through the river, water over the bonnet and in the cab!!! I said no ways, Nats was instructed to get all the kit as high up the back seat as possible whilst I chatted to the musadi on the other side of the crossing. She advised a line slightly right of hers and it was agreed she would wait for us to cross in case we needed some help... Low range, 2nd gear, and off we went. the hippo path caught me by surprise, and delivered water up to the vents on the bonnet, but we made it through. Nats had her eyes closed the whole way...so we thanked the musadi, and cracked out a cold beer, cos there were vehicles coming the other way....this could be fun to watch... The folks all took the line I took, on my advice, as although there was a deep section it was very short. The hiluxes, as would be expected, made it through no worries the Nissan Navara was not so lucky. He hit the brakes when the vehicle dropped into the hippo path, and that was him....."stucked" as they say. A quick tow back out, open the doors to let the fish and lilies out the cab, and he went again, this time successfully