Fill up when you can

We were recently in Botswana with a tour group when our Hilux took on water far up in the north of Seronga. We had to hire a car there and got a Volkswagen Polo. We were glad, because the Polo is supposed to be light on fuel. On our way back to Maun, we passed a fuel station, but out tank was still halffull. We drove past thinking we could fill up at the next town. I saw a Shell sign at the T-junction where you turn left to Maun and turned in, because by then the Polo had started using its reserve tank. When we got there, we saw that the fuel station was being run by goats! So we had to push through to Maun. We crawled into Maun and were relieved to reach another fuel station. But once again there was no fuel available. The Polo finally stopped at the Toyota dealership in Maun and wouldn’t go further, and the Toyota staff took me to a fuel station where I could buy petrol in cans. So here’s my warning: When you’re travelling in Botswana, never drive past a fuel station without filling up if you don’t have extra fuel with you. KOBUS SCHOEMAN Pretoria-East

Kobus, I want to add that your lesson isn’t just relevant when travelling in Botswana, but also for all neighbouring countries and large parts of South Africa as well. We had the same experience this holiday in Middelpos, in the Karoo, when the local fuel station’s diesel had run out. Luckily I had an extra 25-litre jerry can full of diesel, and we could ensure that a friend’s somewhat thirstier vehicle could reach the next big town, where he rewarded my kindness with lots of KFC! – Jaco