Quote:
Originally Posted by Willem Fick
Richard, that should be a great roadtrip, and you wife has to get a reward for being cool with you flying solo!
Not sure if everything is booked and paid for yet, but be aware that due to the drought the Victoria falls have all but dried up, and as our dry season is now starting you are not likely to see more than a barren dry cliff - might not be worth your while, honestly!
Botswana is great though, and you are guaranteed to have a really good time!
May is an ideal time for game viewing. This is mainly as it is mid-winter and therefore not quite as unbearably hot as you will experience from November through February. The key benefit of this is that animals don't rest in the shade as much by day and move around a lot more for grazing fodder. Also because the foliage has typically died back significantly by this time there is less place for them to hide.
If I may suggest you consider stopping over at the Mapungubwe National Park on your way. Lies where the borders of South Africa, Zimbabwe and Botswana come together. I know the Park Manager very well, and he will give you the "non-public" experience guaranteed!
Over and above the game viewing aspect it is also worth noting that Botswana is absolutely a meat eater's paradise. The meat is of fantastic quality and really dirt cheap, especially as due to local custom there is no demand for boneless cuts such as rump, sirloin and fillet! |
Willem, as usual you are full of great (and in this case, timely) information! I'm bummed to hear that Vic Falls is dry yet again. This is the 2nd time I have been shut down on heading up there to see them! Ahhhh well..... I was hopeful that by May it would be raining again.
I do want to drive north from Joberg to take in some new sights, so I will definitely add Mapungubwe National Park to my list, along with a drive-thru of Kruger. Thanks for that recommendation. I'm hoping to dip into a few new countries to add them to my list. So, I will probably due a loop, then head back to JNB for a flight to Windhoek and check out Namibia, then down to practically my favorite spot on earth, Franschoek.
Ian: Timing might be right so we can meet up! Where are you staying in Solitaire? What are your plans in Namibia? I will likely just grab a car and explore for 2 days. Nothing too elaborate.
Willem, I'm hoping that I can meet you for dinner, if your schedule allows. I need to put more work into fleshing out my itinerary.