Shimmering sands and 111kms walked over three days
Mompoloki Rankgate | Thursday July 25, 2024 13:26
Our journey to Makgadikgadi Pan started at our departure point in Gaborone at 8am on Sunday. I was joined by other guests from the capital to Mosu and we cruised in a luxurious Ford SUV as part of the sponsors’ party.
The vehicle made the journey seamless and in no time we were at our first destination.
We arrived at the beautiful, calm and photogenic village of Mosu located in the eastern half of Makgadikgadi Pan at around 6pm to a truly inspiring and joyful experience. When you arrive in this small area made popular by former president, Ian Khama, you feel a sense of relief and peace as you take in the stunning scenery and tranquillity.
It is a welcoming village for both local and international visitors en route to the Pan. Mosu is a marvel and splendour of nature, with a calm environment alongside the aesthetic landscape which provide a sense of serenity and much needed respite from the busy everyday life we live.
After admiring the beauty of Mosu and in a breezy cold evening, we pitched our tents and sat by the bonfire, which goes by the moniker ‘bush television’ coined by tourists, as we waited for dinner.
While awaiting our late meal, my colleagues and I were welcomed the village kgosi who gave us a word of encouragement for the sojourn to the Pan the following day. After the dinner, everyone set off to get the necessary rest, mindful of the journey ahead.
As dawn broke, participants were set and ready to navigate the challenge ahead.
My journey across the pans was, in a sense, a pilgrimage of solitude, where silence spoke louder than words. Time seemed static while the beauty of nature whispered tales of ancient tranquillity.
The 20th edition, being my second expedition, was nothing short of glory and with every step I took, I discovered a serene oasis where I could tap deep within my soul for strength.
Through the Y Care Trust, I fell in love with the pans. What was supposed to be a normal path to Lekhubu Island, turned into a wet and slippery affair possibly because of the salt combining with the dew or some rains prior to our arrival. Upon arrival at Lekhubu, most of the walkers had made it but as usual many suffered blisters. They were, however, excited with the next 18km to Lubu Island.
Surprisingly we all made it to Lubu with ease and returned to base for rest. We passed the day by playing Motswedi or the 30 seconds game. We formed three teams with one led by intrepid traveller and former Mmegi journalist, Thalefang Charles. The game went on into the dark where we then enjoyed our last meal of the day, before receiving a few announcements that included the new route to Sua.
We were so excited to explore the new route, that by sunset we had already covered five kilometres without even realising it. With mixed emotions of curiosity and caution, the muddy ground made us wary of slipping and falling, while the wind blew our way and made it difficult to keep balance.
Sparkling, shimmering salty path
At times we encountered dust that had a bit of salt in it. However, we remained curious about the new terrain, as we wanted to explore and discover more. The beauty of the pan with salt and shining crystals on a hot sunny day was truly mesmerising.
The sun's rays reflect off the white salt, creating a sparkling, shimmering effect that is breathtaking to behold. The crystals shimmer and dance as the wind blows, creating a stunning display of natural beauty. The pan itself is a unique and rugged landscape, with its undulating ridges and valleys, and the crystals added an extra touch of wonder and magic.
The hot, sunny day provided the perfect backdrop for the pan's beauty, as the intense heat brought out the vibrant colours of the salt and crystals. That was exactly what we wanted to see.
Unforgiving salty pans
The unforgiving salty pans with no water and vegetation can be a harsh environment for animals. Without access to water, the animals that walk into the pan are forced to endure the extreme heat and aridity of the desert, and without vegetation, they have no source of food.
The salt can also be deadly for the animals, as it can dehydrate them and cause them to suffer from heatstroke. The barren landscape can also make it difficult for the animals to find shelter and protection from the sun and wind, leaving them exposed to the harsh elements.
This was exactly what we saw as we passed old carcasses of cows.
Despite all these challenges we trudged on towards our destination as we started to see Botswana Ash, the salt mine on the horizon. By 1800hrs, we had made it to the camp limping with blisters and painful ankles. The awards ceremony of medals was the icing on the cake to confirm that indeed we had conquered for charity.
For the past two decades, Y Care Trust has been hosting events like these. The first one was in 2003 and it was started by Dr Nomsa Mbere with some of her friends, Batsho and Ulrika.
Her intention was to raise money through the walk, and then donate the proceeds to charity.
Thus far the charitable organisation has donated P6 million of cash to various beneficiaries locally.