LOUAN VAN ROOYEN

READER STORY P. 64

Louan van Rooyen from Centurion sent us another enjoyable story about his 4x4 adventures – this time about a recent trip to Botswana.

Why this part of Southern Africa?

Botswana is a stone’s throw from Gauteng and a strong magnet for any Cruiser owner. The corruption risk is negligible and the country has the perfect balance between sufficient infrastructure for tourism and exclusivity in its campsites.

What was the highlight of your trip?

Actually, every place we visited felt like a highlight, but driving on the pans stretching as far as the eye could see was extra special. We also had the opportunity to spend 40 uninterrupted minutes with a male leopard in the Moremi.

Any lows or problems?

It’s very sad to say, but the low point was people – other campers who were completely inconsiderate, camping right on top of us, making a lot of noise, and using such bad language that soap couldn’t wash us clean.

What would you do differently next time?

I’d go for longer. From Savuti I’d travel up to Kasane and stay for at least two nights to fit in a visit to Vic Falls. There, I’d make use of the shuttle service to the falls to avoid Zim’s hefty carbon tax at the border and the annoying road blocks in the country.

Where to next?

I really want to see the Doodsakker, but rather not alone. It looks like great fun joining in on a Voetspore tour with Johan Badenhorst, and I think Petri de Wet (from the angling series Hier Gaan Ons Alweer) would be a great help in showing you the ropes to pull out a couple of fish over there!