Results 1 to 7 of 7
  1. #1
    Join Date
    Feb 2010
    Location
    Palma de Mallorca
    Age
    51
    Posts
    44
    Thanked: 0

    Question WATER question on Moremi-Chobe & Nxai-CKGR routes

    Hello again,
    I'm a newbie on this 4x4 overlanding business so bear with me if I seem to ask about the obvious.

    Background: 2 people, self-drive on rented Land Rover Defender 110 TD5 2004? Starting 19th May 2010. Route:
    Moremi-Chobe. 7 days. Camps: 3rd Bridge, Khwai/North Gate, Savuti, Ihaha.
    Kasane-Vic Falls-Gweta (Planet Baobab)...
    Nxai Pan-CKGR. 7 days. Camps: Nxai South, Sunday Pan, Phokoje, Letiahau, Kori/Deception

    WATER
    the car is equipped with a 45L water tank so I presume I'd use this to carry the non-drinking water for washing, showering, etc and the drinking water in large bottles,5L, 10L or whatever I can get in Maun. What do you guys normally do?
    Is 4L drinking water per person per day a good allowance?

    On the Moremi-Chobe section campsites above I understand we'll normally have ablution facilities with non-drinking water available, correct?
    Nxai-CKGR section, here I believe there is usually no water and few ablution facilities so we need to get some of that brackish water beforehand somewhere like Nata or Gweta...?

    Many thanks for your tips.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Dec 2008
    Location
    Suffolk, UK
    Age
    64
    Posts
    5,617
    Thanked: 52

    Default

    Muzungu,

    I wouldn't be buying bottled water. I fill up my plastic jerries with water at the campsites in bigger towns with decent water treatment facilities.......after checking with the staff about the treatment of the water. I then add the requisite number of purification tablets. If you are going through Chobe/ Moremi over 7 or 8 days, then fill up at Chobe (say Chobe Safari Lodge), and 45 litres will last 2 people at least 9 days. The general rule of thumb is that you need 2.5 litres per person per day for all cooking and drinking.

    All of the camps in Chobe & Moremi except the community sites have ablution blocks, with flush toilets, showers, and washing facilities. You don't need to carry water for this. Once you are through Chobe & Moremi you can easily refil in Maun or Gweta.

    On the second leg of your journey, I have no idea about CKGR, but I do know that if there is no water available within the reserve then you should have more than 9 days supply with you for a 7 day trip. I would have another 10 litres at least. I would be looking for water at Motopi, Kwaraga (I know there is water here as I filled up myself) Xhumaga or Rakops. Any camps or lodges, hotels, or petrol stations will let you fill up your tanks with water, and I have no idea why you think it will be brackish outside the CKGR.

    Two tips for handling water: firstly, take a short length of hose with a universal rubber tap adaptor fixed to the one end , because a jerry is impossible to fill up at a bathroom tap otherwise, and secondly, take a small plastic squeezy-type syphon so that you can easily "pump" up your water without having to tip up the jerry.

    So, there you are........my thoughts. Forget bottled water, clean out the water tanks you have with the car, and use them...........but take at least another 10 litre container with you.

    Mike
    Last edited by MikeAG; 2010/03/26 at 01:12 PM.
    "A poxy, feral, Brit architect who drinks bad beer and supports the wrong rugby team." Tony Weaver

    "Mike for President" Freeflyd

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Dec 2009
    Location
    Delmas
    Age
    65
    Posts
    11,827
    Thanked: 1324

    Default

    Muzungu, it is nice to see you come for your honeymoon, enjoy it, water in CKGR is not drinkable, you can get some at Matswere gate, but remember it taste salty, bring enough for drinking and washing, it is hot in Botswana, so i think 5 liter per person per day, then you will be safe. If you buy any cooldrinks like coke in 2liter bottels, keep it and fill with water, it is not so big and there is always small space to put it, enjou africa. ps. we will be on 26 may in kori ckkor02,, 27,28 and 29 at cksuno1, it is at lengua pan, if you are at that time in ckgr, come and visit us, lets drink a beer.
    Elize
    en ry saam met SarelF in
    4x4 Isuzu NPS 300 met kamper
    Kyk gerus by www.blinkgatproducts.com
    Vir enige aluminium produkte,canopy's, campers kontak gerus
    Sarel 0828209413

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Feb 2010
    Location
    Nax Switzerland
    Age
    57
    Posts
    69
    Thanked: 15

    Default

    Dumela M'zungu,
    Nxai Pan campsite has a new ablution block with water. Water is mostly an issue in CKGR.
    I agree with Mike concerning bottled water, for an ecological balance reason.
    Though I usually buy some 5L bottles of drinking water, which one can find in every supermarket or some smaller stores, on a 2.5L per person per day basis (in May, not too hot!), for drinking and cooking.
    The 45L water-tank in the car is enough for 7 days washing (dishes and small personal hygiene) in CKGR. But be sure you can rely on the tap and that the tank doesn't leak. I once didn't close it properly and found the tank empty at the evening.
    If you want to take a shower every day in the CKGR, you'll need additional 5L ppd!
    If you dond't have water-jerrycans, keep the empty 5L plastic bottles to refill them when you find not too salty water. Treat it with purification tablets or with a water-filter.
    These plastic 5L bottles are also useful for many other purposes. You can cut them in the middle to prepare tubs for packing separatly different kind of foods in the fridge, for example. (De-freezing, blooding meat will force you to clean the fridge every day...).
    You can also make wind-screens for candles to light the table in the evening...
    Before throwing them away, you may ask local people if they want to keep them.
    Steph
    See trip report:
    https://docs.google.com/fileview?id=...Y2RiYzkx&hl=fr
    Last edited by Stephanoaetus; 2010/03/29 at 07:38 AM.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Sep 2006
    Location
    Stockton-on-Tees England
    Age
    82
    Posts
    851
    Thanked: 1

    Default

    The 2 L ones also make good ice holders in the cool box so everything doesn't get wet as the ice melts and the box doesn't have to be emptied to pour the water away.
    Margaret

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Feb 2010
    Location
    Palma de Mallorca
    Age
    51
    Posts
    44
    Thanked: 0

    Smile

    Thank you all, for you advice, always good to hear different approaches from people, I reckon I'm not the only one who has wondered about this so your answers will help other newcomers.

    witklipbank, I'm afraid we'll get to CKGR shortly after you leave :
    30-may Planet Baobab Gweta
    31-may Nxai Pan South camp
    01-jun idem
    02-jun CKGR Sunday Pan
    03-jun CKGR Phokoje
    04-jun CKGR Letiahau
    05-jun CKGR Kori (Deception V)

    Shame, would've been good to share some wine/beers. If anyone else is around those dates let me know, you'll have the rare opportunity to see how a couple of Spanish honeymooners are coping with Bots, might have a laugh with our newbie stories.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Dec 2009
    Location
    Delmas
    Age
    65
    Posts
    11,827
    Thanked: 1324

    Default

    muzungu, yes we will be then in mankwe lodge. you must enjou bots and you new wife. Come and enjou southern africa, it includes botswana.
    Elize
    en ry saam met SarelF in
    4x4 Isuzu NPS 300 met kamper
    Kyk gerus by www.blinkgatproducts.com
    Vir enige aluminium produkte,canopy's, campers kontak gerus
    Sarel 0828209413

Similar Threads

  1. Fording / Wading Discussion
    By alanB in forum 4x4 Recovery & Recovery Gear
    Replies: 80
    Last Post: 2018/11/04, 08:56 PM
  2. Replies: 9
    Last Post: 2011/02/16, 11:30 AM
  3. Replies: 27
    Last Post: 2011/01/20, 12:16 PM
  4. H2F's Namibia Trip Report
    By Uys in forum Namibia
    Replies: 22
    Last Post: 2009/01/12, 09:40 PM
  5. Kortbroek kramp in die........
    By TopHilux Hilton in forum The 4x4 Pub
    Replies: 13
    Last Post: 2008/03/05, 03:00 AM

Tags for this Thread

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may post new threads
  • You may post replies
  • You may post attachments
  • You may edit your posts
  •