3 Days in a game reserve area in Botswana- camping & motorcyclingIts late April & I have booked a motorcycle weekend at Kwa Nokeng Lodge in Botswana - with 2 nights in the Tuli Block area - northern side of the Limpopo River. This trip was recommended by Mike Pohl (Mike da Bike) from Lyndhurst motors.
I joined Koos (see photos) & the back up ambo image
just north of Pretoria, and cruised to the border. On the way, through a small town, I was pulled up by a black policeman for a small transgression. When he saw I was Australian, we started talking cricket - and with the promise of sending some Aussies to teach the South African cricketers, I was allowed to go. phew!!!!

A very hectic border crossing - jumping ques to get the bike gate pass - we made it to the lodge - a 10,000Ha property on the Limpopo River - run by 2 brothers - Clinton (leads the bike trips & races enduro / desert races), and Chemmy (who leads the team at the bar & at the braai).

We were running late - so we ate quickly & joined the group (10 guys) and headed off to the campsite on the river about 150kms away. Good fast dirt roads - but a few surprises just to make it interesting. Lost my rear seat and rear wheel hugger somewhere in those bumps - ah well - that's adventure riding!

Just on dark we reached camp - the camp was already set up
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drinks were chilled & the fire was stoked
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even had a fire under a drum for hot water - a hot shower no less.

Heard the hippo bellowing that night right next to us - checked out his tracks the next morning
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right next to the tent!

Beautiful still morning & a great view down the river
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The clear & warm day was a good day on dirt roads, tracks, dry river crossings - I spent most of the day riding 2 a breast with Clinton at the front (no dust) at a good pace. Not alot of game spotted - perhaps too much noise, but this is elephant & cat country - we did see lots of bok, monkeys, wharthogs.

A stop at a landmark Baobab tree cluster
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where the kids are used to travellers with booty
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Back to the camp for a great meal, lots of cheer & bs around the campfire - recounting the day and the several "lie downs" that a number had - particularly in the river bed (see Koos' action)
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Next morning - cuddling sore heads we packed up and back to Kwa Nokeng for lunch. Some headed home that afternoon - I stayed on at the lodge. I sat on the deck of my villa, overlooking the river & watched the monkeys come in late in the afternoon. They climb the tress & frolicked till dark - like watching a movie - the interaction and cheeky young ones playing and provoking the older ones were very interesting. That night I partied with Chemmy, some English visitors and several Afrikaans families of quad riders who were also staying at the lodge (Chemmy well and truely lead the event!) - I piked early - they went late - boy those Afrikaaners dance up a storm & party when they are on holidays!

The next morning Chemmy showed me a more interesting way to get back to Joburg - mostly dirt & a small border crossing - so I did about 300kms of fast dirt on the way home - what a blast!

Enjoy!

Next blog will be our planned Lesotho trip - looking forward to that one!