Meeting date and time:

We will meet at Nata Lodge on 16 July 2025, in the late afternoon. If you are early you could visit the Nata Bird sanctuary. The lodge has a tour in the afternoon if you are interested. Nata also has a good restaurant if you feel like chilling for the first evening.

See the map below.

Ready to depart the next morning 8h00

Tour Distance:

From Martins drift back to Martins drift is 2000km

Fuel availability:

Our last fuel will be Kasane and after that Maun and can be paid by credit card.

The longest distance between fuel pumps would be from Maun to Kasane and would be about 750 km in sandy terrain.

If you have a spare jerry can I suggest that you take it. 

My history and experience shows fuel required approximately:

Land cruiser 4.2 diesel, Land cruiser V8 diesel, would need about 130 litres.

Hilux, Fortuner, Ranger, Pajero, Prado diesel 105 litres

Petrol engines 150 litres

This is just a guess and does rely on your driving style as well.

Towing a bush trailer would add about 10-15%

Fuel purchase:

Credit cards will be generally excepted but be prepared for a card machine that is out of order.

Best is to have one tank of fuel in cash with you. Also good to have should you get a speed fine.

Cash:

We will do most transactions in cash but cards will work where we are at lodges.

Credit cards will also work most of the time. MasterCard might work but VISA remains the best option.

Groceries:

We only have Kasane and then Maun. 

Be prepared for snack lunches with biscuits, cheese and nibbles. We will have some stopping spots ideal for a bit of “de lux” stuff.

Washing:

It is a short tour so this should not be required.

Toilets:

Flush toilets every night.

Showers:

Hot showers most of the time.

4×4 Driving:

This is a 4×4 tour and we will be driving in sand in the parks. 

Bring your spade and a few Cokes to sip on whilst someone is stuck…..;-)

Just joking, we will all be fine, I will teach you the ropes as we go.

I also have all the recovery equipment, no need to bring any along. You only need to bring a tyre pump and spade.

Alcohol:

Please note NO DRINKING AND DRIVING will be allowed. I know it is tempting and when it is hot it seems like a plan but sorry NO.

If you want a beer for lunch I suggest alcohol free, there are many good brands with alcohol free versions these days. Once we are in camp you may catch up again.

Otherwise get your co pilot to drive.

Water:

There is water for cooking and cleaning everywhere. No need to bring water.

For drinking water we will buy bottled water at the shops as we go.

Weather:

We are in Botswana in winter. Nights will be cold and the days will be pleasant. Bring a jacket for the boat ride. 

Shorts for the days and a  jacket for the evenings should do it.

No rain expected.