01-Apr-2007 -- I planned a 10-day family trip to Botswana and decided to visit one unvisited degree confluence. The search for the right degree confluence started after we finalised our route. The challenge was to find a degree confluence that was accessible and close to our planned route. We had little spare time in our schedule and a very wet Botswana to navigate. A few potential degree confluences were selected and their accessibility reviewed on Google Earth. Finally we selected 22S 27E just north of Khama Rhino Sanctuary, which was our second night’s camping spot of the trip.
The satellite photos indicated that there is a fire break that leads in the general direction of the Confluence. We had to drive 50 km past Palapye on the A1 and then turn into the Botswana bush. The fire break was a reasonable road with water obstacles thrown in for extra excitement. After about 30 km on the firebreak we found ourselves about 600 m from the Confluence. A small side road was discovered that led us to 328 m from the Confluence. The convoy stopped and out came the GPS’s.
The group navigated through the overgrown and thorny bush to the 22S 27E point. A feeling of accomplishment filled the air and all the necessary formalities were completed. This was the first degree confluence for some members and the children enjoyed the outing very much.
We proceeded to head to Khama Rhino Sanctuary on a muddy track where we had to engage low range every now and again. The arrival at Khama Rhino Sanctuary was celebrated with a drink or two to toast our accomplishment.
After this we proceeded to Kubu Island, Sua Pan (Makgadigadi Pans), Hunters Road (on the border of Botswana and Zimbabwe), Kasane, and Victoria Falls. Please visit my photo collection for more pictures of the rest of our trip.