McKenzie 4x4

21/03/2019

To all of our valued customers, we regret to inform you that because of the most recent outbreak of Asian fruit fly in South Africa, there are a number of fruit & vegetables that have been prohibited from being imported into the country currently. Please see the full list below.
👇🚫🥭🥑🥒🍅 🍋🍉🎃🌶🍌🚫👇

We sincerely apologies for any inconvenience caused and hope that the situation is rectified in short order.

19/03/2019

Not a good flood coming this year.

Well, the already dire flood has hit a serious downhill. If we do not see a substantial second push, it is going to be an exceptionally dry year for the Okavango Delta. There will be zero inflow into Lake Ngami and a huge amount of breeding and feeding habitat will be lost.
We must however keep in mind that these are natural cycles and with it comes the increase in populations of plains game and their associated predators.

13/03/2019

Two days ago in Xakanaxa some tourists just sat down to dinner when the local Elephant came along and helped himself to some fruit from the back. Damaging the canopy, fridge and rooftop tent. In their panic the tourists ran and jumped into the truck, while doing this the driver knocked the key with his leg breaking the key clean off in the ignition. So they couldn’t start the truck the elephant eventually left. They are ok but a little shaken. They were towed out yesterday and got a replacement vehicle this morning in Maun.

04/03/2019

GOOD MORNING BOTSWANA

"Your mind is a powerful thing. When you fill it with positive thoughts, your life will start to change." – Unknown

Kubu Island sunrise photo is by our reader Andrew Barton

02/03/2019

Mr Masisi ‘s speech yesterday about the elephant hunting ban.

27/02/2019

Another good read. There seems to be a lot of knee jerk reactions to this hunting ban.

The Botswana Media and Allied Workers Union (BOMAWU) notes with concern recent reports by local and international media, as well as remarks made by members of the international community, with regards to the proposed hunting ban and the elephant situation in Botswana.

We have also noted a BBC media report by Alastair Leithead featuring Dr Mike Chase, which questioned the commitment of the Government of Botswana to conservation and anti-poaching. Another newspaper article features one Dereck Joubert making alarmist and ill-advised statements regarding the recommendations of the Cabinet sub-Committee on the Hunting Ban. In the report, Joubert talks about “Botswana’s Blood Law” and threatens to do whatever he can to subvert what is by all intents and purposes just a recommendation.

Our Government is world renowned for conducting its business in a transparent and consultative manner. It is disheartening that this Joubert would run to the media to tarnish our good reputation with careless alarmist phrases like “Botswana’s Blood Law” when he knows for a fact that the Government of Botswana is open for consultation. Why didn’t he seek audience with relevant Government officials to express his misgivings about the recommendations of the sub-Committee? It has also not escaped our attention that Joubert’s theatrics and the BBC featuring Dr. Chase charade all appeared at around the same time.

The Government of Botswana has made it clear that it has not made a decision on the recommendations of the Cabinet sub-Committee on the Hunting Ban. It is also clear that when it was introduced in 2014, the moratorium on hunting was not meant to be a permanent decision. We will fully support our Government when it decides to revoke the hunting ban.

Joubert will do well to remember that in the true spirit of consultation, the sub-Committee reached its conclusions after a nationwide consultative process that covered kgotla meetings, consulting with individuals, local authorities, researchers and other key stakeholders. Therefore his wishes and those of his friends will never come second to those of the majority of Batswana; who have to contend daily with destruction of their crops, devastation of their land and vegetation as well as loss of their loved ones to marauding elephants. More than anything, this Government puts Batswana first.

Lastly, the BBC report attributes Botswana’s poaching problem to a purported feud between His Excellency the President of the Republic of Botswana Dr. Mokgweetsi E.K. Masisi and the former President. The report further insinuates that under President Masisi Botswana’s commitment to conservation and anti-poaching has waned. This is a shameful attempt by the BBC to trivialise this very important issue and reduce it to petty political squabbles. His Excellency the President of the Republic of Botswana Dr. Mokgweetsi E.K. Masisi is our Head of State. When he speaks he speaks on behalf of all Batswana. Therefore it is very disrespectful to reduce what is threatening to be a national crisis, being played out on international media, to a petty political squabble.

At this juncture, BOMAWU wishes to alert its general membership and Batswana at large that there are concerted and deliberate efforts to undermine our sovereignty, disregard the wishes of our people and attack our tourism industry, which is the second highest contributor to our economy. We rally all Batswana to stand up in arms and fight for the sovereignty, dignity and security of our country. Forces of evil are threatening our very existence, and we must complement the efforts of our Government to thwart them. This is a call to arms.

Thank you
Phillimon Mmeso
President - BOMAWU

27/02/2019

GOOD MORNING BOTSWANA

"Accept what is, let go of what was, and have faith in what will be"

Wishing all our family the best this morning.

WEATHER UPDATE FORECAST FOR TODAY

NGAMILAND AND GANTSI DISTRICTS:
Partly cloudy and very hot with isolated thundershowers

CHOBE, NORTH- EAST AND CENTRAL DISTRICTS:
Partly cloudy and hot with isolated thundershowers

SOUTHERN, SOUTH-EAST, KGATLENG AND KWENENG DISTRICTS
Partly cloudy and very hot

KGALAGADI DISTRICT:
Fine to partly cloudy and very hot

FORECAST MAXIMUM TEMPERATUR ES FOR TODAY:

SHAKAWE 37
MAUN 37
KASANE 35
PANDAMATENGA 35
SOWA TOWN 33
LETLHAKANE 33
FRANCISTOWN 33
SELIBE PHIKWE 34
MAHALAPYE 35
LEPHEPE 37
GABORONE 38
JWANENG 37
GOOD HOPE 36
WERDA 38
TSABONG 37
TSHANE 38
GANTSI 38
NCOJANE 37

This morning's sunrise photo, taken at Deception Valley, is from 'Aviantic'

21/02/2019

Looks like the rain has stopped for awhile now

WEATHER UPDATE FORECAST FOR TODAY:

Ngamiland, Southern, South-East, Kgatleng and Kweneng Districts:
Fine to partly cloudy and hot

Kgalagadi District:
Fine to partly cloudy and very hot

Chobe District:
Fine to partly cloudy and warm

Gantsi and Southern -Central Districts:
Fair and hot

Northern-Central and North- East Districts:
Fair and warm

Forecast Maximum Temperatures For Today:

Shakawe 33
Maun 34
Kasane 32
Pandamatenga 31
Sowa Town 30
Letlhakane 32
Francistown 32
Selibe Phikwe 33
Mahalapye 35
Lephepe 35
Gaborone 35
Jwaneng 35
Good Hope 33
Werda 36
Tsabong 38
Tshane 36
Gantsi 35
Ncojane 35

Photo by Debbie Thompson

21/02/2019

A few Cats and Dogs from our day trip to Savuti the other day.

20/02/2019

Took a drive to Savuti and back yesterday. The road are Wet, Wet, Wet. Lots of water around Mababe. I went along the depression road onto the sand ridge road. Depression is wet and muddy but possible. Took this video leaving Savuti heading towards the sandridge.

15/02/2019

Beautiful rain in Ghanzi this afternoon.

13/02/2019

11/02/2019

GOOD MORNING FROM BOTSWANA, WHERE WE JUST LOVE WATCHING OUR SUNRISE

"Believe in yourself. You are braver than you think, more talented than you know, and capable of more than you imagine." ― Roy T. Bennett

Photo from AfriTrip

08/02/2019

https://www.businessinsider.co.za/earths-magnetic-north-pole-moved-navigation-2019-2

Earth has a new magnetic north. Updating its location was crucial for military and civilian navigation systems.

03/02/2019

GOOD EVENING FROM BOTSWANA

This evening's picture of a vervet monkey at sunset in the Chobe Forest was taken by Thomas Boothby

31/01/2019

We had a look at a lovely new Guest house in Maun this morning. Situated on the Thamalakane River, 10 Minutes from Town. Quiet & relaxing with a lovely garden.
Maun Waterfront Guesthouse. @ Maun, Botswana

31/01/2019

We had a look at a lovely new Guest house in Maun this morning. Situated on the Thamalakane River, 10 Minutes from Town. Quiet & relaxing with a lovely garden.
http://maunwaterfront.com/index.html

Maun Waterfront Guesthouse - Where You Can Enjoy True Botswana Hospitality

30/01/2019

This young male Lion was too keen and eager and the Zebra got away

28/01/2019

Road conditions January 2019

Moremi Game Reserve
I haven’t been into Moremi Since Early in January. We have had that much rain in and around Maun. There are a few puddles here there. Over New Year we had some big storms while camping in Moremi, but they were drying up quickly after a few days. Mac went to 3rd bridge yesterday (27/01/19) and said the road was mostly dry, a few big puddles around the Xini area but no problems otherwise. Speaking to a couple of local guides they said the roads were mostly dry around 3rd bridge and Xakanaxa. I am sure there will be a few puddles between Xakanaxa and khwai.

Chobe National Park
I haven’t been through Chobe since last year but again im sure there will be some puddles along the Mababe Depression. I would use the sand ridge road. Around Savuti and along to Ghoha gate sould mostly be ok as there is mostly sand along the way.

NXAI PAN:
I was there for 5 days a week ago and it was dry, very few puddles. The cutline road was recently graded and was smooth. In and around the pan is dry with a few natural waterholes with rain water. Kudiakam pan around Baines Baobabs was also dry.

NATA – MAUN ROAD:
The potholes are still bad between Makalamabedi Vet Fence and Motopi turn off, take care when driving over them, some are deep. They are repairing these again.
Take your time, drive carefully and enjoy.

28/01/2019

GOOD MORNING BOTSWANA - COFFEE FOR TWO

Nothing like starting your day with a cup of coffee and an elephant at Delta Camp.

This morning's photo of an Elephant at Delta Camp, Moremi is from Siyabona Africa

24/01/2019

Drink lots of water.

WEATHER FORECAST FOR TOMORROW:

[WARNING: Extremely hot temperatures of 38°C to 41°C are expected over most parts of the county, due to extreme temperatures the public is advised to take a lot of hydrating fluids e.g. water.]

Ngamiland, Gantsi, Kgalagadi, Southern, South-East, Kgatleng and Kweneng Districts:
Partly cloudy and extremely hot

Chobe District:
Partly cloudy and hot

Central and North- East Districts:
Partly cloudy and very hot

Forecast Maximum Temperatures For Tomorrow:

Shakawe 38
Maun 40
Kasane 33
Pandamatenga 35
Sowa Town 37
Letlhakane 37
Francistown 36
Selibe Phikwe 38
Mahalapye 37
Lephepe 39
Gaborone 40
Jwaneng 39
Good Hope 39
Werda 41
Tsabong 41
Tshane 41
Gantsi 39
Ncojane 38

Photo: Female Kudu was captured in the Chobe National Park by Mlazo Gouwe

07/01/2019

Moremi Game Reserve, wild dogs, lions eating a warthog, tsessebe, giraffe and more

18/12/2018

One of the many reasons you shouldn’t drive off the road in the salt pans, especially when it’s wet!!

17/12/2018

Another week of heat and no rain.

07/12/2018

So looks like no rain for awhile then.

PRESS RELEASE – HEAT WAVE ALERT

The Public is informed that because of high temperatures being experienced in the country individuals may experience heat cramps, heat exhaustion, heat stroke and severe sunburn.

Furthermore, the heat wave will affect old age group and specifically people with chronic diseases such as Hypertension, Asthma, Diabetes, Respiratory illness, and many more.

Extreme heat continues to be experienced throughout the country with day time temperatures reaching as high as 38°C-40°C This heat wave might continue for some time during this season until the end of February 2019.

Excessive heat can cause death. The Ministry of Health and Wellness urges the public to take preventative measures to avoid heat related illnesses by observing the following health tips;

-Hydrate; drink plenty of water regularly and avoid alcohol.

-Replace Salt and Minerals - Heavy sweating removes salt and minerals from our body, which are necessary for normal body function. One of the best ways to replace salt and minerals is to drink fruit juices.

-Limit drinks with Alcohol and caffeine such as coffee, Tea,

-Wear loose fitting, light weight and light coloured cotton clothing that will cover as much skin as possible; avoid dark colours.

-Apply sunscreen lotions, wear sunglasses and hats before going out.

-Do not leave children and elderly people in closed vehicles or spaces.

-Limit outdoor games and activities or postpone them to early morning or evening to avoid exposure to excessive sunshine and extreme temperature changes. Take frequent breaks if you must work outdoors continuously.

- Avoid strenuous activity including Physical exercise even swimming

-Rest in shady areas and stay indoors as much as possible and be in the habit of wearing sunhats or use umbrellas

-People with chronic diseases (Diabetes, Hypertension, Heart Diseases, Asthma etc…) should take maximum precaution.

Excessive heat presents with the following symptoms; headache, Fatigue/tiredness, Heat cramps (may lead to stroke), chipped lips, dehydration, excessive sweating, painful muscles, fainting, rapid pulse, confusion, nausea, dizziness and shallow breath.

Anyone experiencing any of the above symptoms should visit the nearest health facility for immediate health attention. Remember “Your Health is Your Responsibility”.


[Signed]
Ruth Maphorisa
Permanent Secretary

06/12/2018

Throw Back Thursday Rhinos. Secret location.

04/12/2018

Tree reflections, ostriches and lilac breasted roller. Fork Tailed Drongo mobbing a Martial Eagle life

26/11/2018

You never know who may walk past while you’re having a nap.