Yearning to see the animal kingdom free to roam as nature intended? This experience is just across our border and you don’t need a modified vehicle to get there. We joined the Suzuki #BigInBotswana Safari in a convoy of Jimnys. Follow our journey.
By Damian Adams
Day 1: Arriving
As we flew over the magnificent Chobe National Park before touching down at Kasane Airport, there were audible gasps as we witnessed a tower of giraffes quenching their thirst at a watering hole. We watched in wonder as these lanky animals moved about, starting to check off our lists before we had even landed.
We were warmly welcomed by our guides and after being briefed we very excitedly chose the Jimny that we’d had our eyes on the minute we walked out of the airport into the blazing hot Botswana sun: Kinetic Yellow.
The funky little Jimny was packed to the brim with everything that made for a memorable #BigInBotswana trip: well-catered snacks and drinks, a Shell Tourist Map of Botswana, a photographic checklist booklet and an array of equipment to aid the off-roading experience. When we saw the “shewee device”, a handy female urine funnel that allows women to urinate easily when there’s no toilet around, we knew exactly what we’d be in for.
The adventure in our Jimny began immediately as it showed off its comfort and capability on tar first en route to the Kazungula Bridge which joins Namibia, Botswana, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. True to the 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. Entering the Chobe National Park for a 140 km drive to our destination, we also spotted a lone elephant bull who had been kicked out of his herd and appeared to be in search of a bachelor herd.
We arrived at the breathtaking Mwandi View Lodge where we got to enjoy some much-needed sundowners after an exciting first day. We also got to take in the incredible sights as it dawned on us that this would be our last night of luxury accommodation which included electricity, WiFi and standard ablution facilities.
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, visit africaexpeditions.co.za.
READ: Join us on a Jimny safari expedition in Botswana – Part 2
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