Image: Chris Wall
Image: Chris Wall
Image: Chris Wall
Image: Chris Wall
Image: Chris Wall
Image: Chris Wall
Image: Chris Wall
Image: Chris Wall
Image: Chris Wall
Looking to experience some of our environment’s finest treasures and yearning to see the animal kingdom free to roam as nature intended? This Botswana experience is just across our border and you don’t need a modified vehicle to get there. CAR Magazine editor Damian Adams joined the Suzuki #BigInBotswana Jimny safari.
Image: Chris Wall
Day 1: Arriving at Kasane Airport, Botswana
As we flew over the magnificent Chobe National Park before touching down at Kasane Airport, there were audible gasps and struggles to contain our astonishment as we witnessed a tower of Giraffes quenching their thirst at a watering hole. We watched in wonder as these lanky animals moved about and could not believe that we hadn’t even arrived yet and we could already check that sighting off on our mental checklists. We were warmly welcomed by our guides, JJ du Toit and Hein, and the rest of the team when we touched down, and after being briefed we very excitedly, and hurriedly might I add, chose the Jimny that we’d had our eyes on the minute we walked out of the Airport into the blazing hot Botswana sun.
Image: Chris Wall
We chose the Kinetic Yellow Jimny, and in hindsight we were probably the ones who chased some of the wildlife away because we certainly did not blend in with the natural environment. The funky little Jimny was packed to the brim with everything that made for a memorable #BigInBotswana trip: this ranged from well-catered snacks & drinks, a Shell Tourist Map of Botswana, a Photographic checklist booklet and an array of equipment to aid the off-roading experience. Needless to say, when we saw the “shewee device”, a handy female urine funnel that allows women to urinate easily while standing or sitting down comfortably when there’s no toilet around, we knew exactly what we’d be in for.
Image: Chris Wall
The adventure in our Jimny began immediately as it showed off its comfort and capability on tar first en route to an engineering wonder that is the Kazungula bridge which joins Namibia, Botswana, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. The local residents were in awe of our convoy and, true to form of a Jimny owner, the smiles, waving and general camaraderie were present during our drive through the town. Within the first 15 minutes of being in Botswana, we got to see Kudu, Impala and Giraffe and we hadn’t even spotted an ordinary domestic dog yet. When we thought that this was the best it would get, we entered the Chobe National Park for a 140 km drive to our destination for that night and immediately spotted a lone Elephant who had been kicked out of his herd and appeared to be in search of a Bachelor herd to begin his life as an independent Ellie.
We arrived at the breath-taking Mwandi View Lodge where we were greeted warmly and got to enjoy some much-needed sundowners after an exciting first day. We also got to take in some incredible sights, as well as the reality of this being the first and last night of luxury accommodation which included electricity, WIFI and standard ablution facilities. The thought of this was both nerve-wracking and exciting. We slept well that night and resigned ourselves to being one with nature as the sounds of wild life and the honking of Hippos were our lullabies.
Image: Chris Wall
FAST FACTS
Model: Suzuki Jimny 1,5 GL AllGrip
Price: R343 900
Engine: 1,5-litre, four-cylinder petrol
Transmission: 5-speed, manual
Power: 77 kW @ 6 000 r/min
Torque: 130 N.m @ 4 000 r/min
Ground clearance: 210 mm
Fuel consumption: 6,3 L/100 km
CO2 emissions: 146 g/km
If you’d like to experience this for yourself, which we would highly recommend that you visit africaexpeditions.co.za.
Keyword: Jimny Botswana Expedition; arriving in Botswana – Part 1