Jimny Botswana Expedition; into the wild – Part 2

Time to leave the hum of traffic, WIFI and civilization behind as we tackle the soft sand tracks that lead to our campsite. Cue the hiss of tyres being deflated to 1,0 bar and the clunk of low-range transfer cases being engaged for the journey ahead. Join CAR Magazine editor Damian Adams as he navigates the Botswana Expedition with Suzuki. 

Botswana Expedition

Image: Chris Wall

Day 2: Game Viewing Drive on the Botswana Expedition

We awoke the next morning fuelled by excitement and anticipation. We enjoyed a hearty breakfast and were reminded that this would be the last opportunity to update our Instagram stories, as we’d be off the grid from this point on. We had our briefing, gathered our snacks and lunch for the day and departed for Savuti via Kachikau for a full day of a 200 km Game viewing drive.

Related: Suzuki Jimny five-door long wheelbase reveal pushed to early 2022

Our Jimnys were put through their paces, but there was nothing these little guys couldn’t handle with the perfect tyre pressure lowered to 1.0 bar and low-range engaged. Within the first 20 minutes of our drive, and many Giraffes, Bushbuck and Impala later, we came across a German family in a Toyota Hilux that needed rescuing from being stuck in the sandy terrain. We were thanked with a box of delectable German chocolates and we continued our journey.

Botswana Expedition

Image: Chris Wall

The drive was incredibly slow as a result of the terrain and the Jimny showed off its ability to get us through some tough bits and narrow sections. The easy pace allowed us to take in everything there was to see and check it off enthusiastically in our booklets. Our guides were phenomenal in sharing their knowledge and expertise via the walky-talky and we learned more in these four days than we had in seven years of Natural Sciences in junior school. Given the fact that we were driving along the Magwikhwe Sand Ridge track and through vast spaces where all wildlife is free to roam unrestricted by fencing and any enclosure, we felt very privileged and vulnerable at the same time because we understood that we were in their space. We made sure to yield when Elephants and Giraffe were moseying across the path and it goes without saying that our cameras were out and ready for each and every sighting which was more beautiful than the last. The novelty never wore off.

We arrived at our first Botswana Expedition camp site in the early evening which was all set-up by Justin du Toit, JJ’s son, and his team. We spent some time getting orientated with the set-up and wrapping our heads around the long-drops shower-bag facilities and the fact that we were sleeping alongside the Khwai River- home to many honking and grunting pods of Hippos. We then got to enjoy some refreshing sundowners and just as we were underwinding before dinner, we scrambled to lift our jaws off the floor as we stared in amazement at Hippos who climbed out of the water and were grazing a stone-throw away from our campfire. Needless to say, this got the heart racing, but we were reassured that they would not bother us unless we came between them and their grass and water. Before bed, we were briefed on how to make your presence known should you require the facilities in the middle of the night, and with knowledge on how to clap twice as you exited your tent. We all slept soundly.

Botswana Expedition

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 do, visit africaexpeditions.co.za.

The post Jimny Botswana Expedition; into the wild – Part 2 appeared first on CAR Magazine.


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