Vultures patrol the Trans Kalahari Highway. Road kill litters the verge. These are not small road kill like mice and birds. I am talking about horses, cows, donkeys, ostriches, dogs and goats.
The Trans Kalahari links Johannesburg in South Africa with Windhoek in Namibia. It cuts straight through the lower Kalahari Desert depression in Botswana. On your journey of one thousand three hundred and sixty kilometers from Johannesburg to Windhoek, there will be opportunity to see the vultures. There will also be a lot of time to think about why the people of Botswana do not safeguard their livestock.
Your journey from South Africa to Namibia cannot be done in a single day. Night driving would be suicidal. Apart from the animals there are endless cargo trucks plying their way between the three countries.
This is a dangerous road to drive. It is long, straight and hot, with few places to stop and rest or refresh. Stunted scrubby trees stretch into the horizon. Shimmering heat paints mirages of water on the road. Livestock fling themselves recklessly in front of vehicles, determined to test the green grass theory on the other side of the road.
Location
Eight hours into the drive, just at the moment when you feel enough driving is enough, a small and non-descript looking settlement appears next to the road. The most obvious sign of civilization is the fuel station, a fast food and a small shop. There is little else to see. You have arrived at Kang.
An Oasis
The Kang Ultra Stop is situated in Botswana, 760 kilometers from Johannesburg and half way to Windhoek. Talk about location, location, location! The overnight stop accommodation at Kang is a very welcome sight to the eyes of the tired traveler.
Accommodation
There are very neat and tidy chalets set in irrigated gardens. Each chalet is air-conditioned, spotlessly clean and has hot and cold water for the bath. In an oasis of palm trees, there is an aquamarine swimming pool in a natural setting. Just across the yard is the bar and restaurant.
There are few things in life better than a cool swim, clean clothes, cold beer, thick grilled steak and salad and clean crispy sheets to slide between at the end of a long drive. Heaven! This is not your average African Truck Stop.
The price is right. On average you would expect to pay about R250.00 for the night. They are known to accept both South African Rand, Namibia Dollars and Euro which is useful. Botswana Pula is the local currency and is slightly stronger than the South African Rand. They also accept credit card payment.
Booking accommodation:
Bookings can be made by email at:
· Botswana@madbookings.com or
· ultrastopkang@yahoo.com
Telephone bookings :
· +267 651 7294
· +267 651 7292
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