Botswana Wild & Wonderful
A lap around Botswana heading north through the Kalahari Desert.

Hello and welcome back to a New and exciting series of discovery.
The open road has beckoned once more, and this time, our journey leads us toward Botswana.
After meticulous planning, the day has finally arrived.
We are locked and loaded and provisioned for a month of
offgrid living.
But first our journey takes us 1500 km north to the remote Kaa Gate deep in the kalahari where we enter Botswana.

Feeling a little bleak after crashing the drone in the first days of our trip.

We take the backroad to Riemvasmaak.

The back roads are where the adventure really starts, turning an ordinary trip into something worth remembering.

We anticipate the unexpected and this road delivered spectacular scenery.
It took us a little longer to get there but this road gets a big smiley face from us.

Our spirits are lifted by breathtaking landscapes, that remind us of of the Namaqua 4x4 trail.
There’s a shortcut to Riemvasmaak, but we prefer to explore the back roads.
After Battling the strong winds and a crashed drone our spirits are lifted with
And this particular back road doesn’t disappoint—it's a stunning scenic route that earns a smiley face from us.

After a night of wind tunneling we feel a bit crusty around the edges.
On our way out We pause once more at the viewpoint, to take in the impressive landscape.

Heading north we skirt along the Namibian border rolling over the Kalahari dunes. And pass through the remote town of Noeniputs. The roads are desolate yet stunning in their solitude. But before we enter the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, we have one more quest ahead and that is: to seek out the legendary Lost City of the Kalahari..

Noeniputs is a small settlement located in the Northern Cape province of South Africa, close to the Namibian border. It is one of the remotest places in the country, with vast open landscapes typical of the arid Kalahari Desert region. The town is sparsely populated and primarily serves as a stopover for travelers crossing the border or exploring the harsh, yet striking desert environment. The surrounding area is characterized by dry riverbeds, sparse vegetation, and wide-open skies, offering a sense of isolation and tranquility. The community is small, and facilities are minimal, emphasizing its role as a rural outpost rather than a destination in itself.

We spent a beautiful night at Koppieskraal Kameelplaas.
It is also the home of the fabled Lost City of the Kalahari.
The mystery centers around William Leonard Hunt, better known as "The Great Farini," a famed 19th-century Canadian adventurer, showman, and trapeze artist. In 1885, Farini embarked on an expedition into the Kalahari Desert, a region in southern Africa that was, at the time, largely unexplored by Europeans.

Upon his return, Farini claimed to have discovered the ruins of an ancient, lost city buried beneath the sands of the Kalahari. He described finding walls, terraces, and stone structures that appeared to be remnants of a once-great civilization.

Some historians and archaeologists believe that Farini may have misinterpreted natural rock formations or remnants of early human settlements as ruins of a grand city. Others suggest that the story may have been embellished or even fabricated to enhance Farini's own mystique.

Regardless of the truth, the tale of Farini and his Lost City of the Kalahari remains a captivating piece of African exploration lore, blending adventure, mystery, and the timeless human fascination with hidden treasures and ancient civilizations. It’s a story that continues to inspire the imagination of those who hear it, adding to the mystique of the Kalahari Desert itself.

Facebook
  / soultoniclife  

Patreon
Support us and join our tribe
https://www.patreon.com/user?u=270259...

Website
https://soultoniclife.com/

The Cookbook
https://soultoniclife.com/shop/