Calm In The Khwai

We drive the new Ford Everest in Northern Botswana – and get dished up a testing selection of fine sand, river crossings and lots of mud

- Micky Baker

Car launches are carefully managed events that show off a vehicle’s best qualities. While they do usually take place in spectacular locations, the emphasis is nearly always on the car, with little thought given to the actual travel experience.

But for the launch of the new Everest, Ford managed to blend the best of both worlds into one heck of an experience in Botswana.

The journey began with a flight to Maun, the go-to jump-off point for many a traveller heading into the Okavango Delta. We’d be spending two nights exploring the highlights of the region, all from the comfort of Ford’s plush new bi-turbo Everest.

Pan-tastic

The first chapter of our journey took us some 200km along the A3 road, towards one of Mother Nature’s more surreal works of art – the Makgadikgadi Pans.

We’d be spending the night bathing in the starlight in a remote corner of the Nwetwe Pan, to be precise.

Our campsite was ready and waiting, with canvas tents pitched in a large circle. A vital mopani wood fire burned right in the middle.

We arrived with light fading fast, so there was just enough time to grab a drink and take in the pastel-coloured sunset. On one side, the sun was setting over the veld and on the other, blue and red colours were mixing above an endless horizon of salt pan.

The Ford team had intended for us to stay further out into the pan, but the SAMIL support vehicle – hauling much of the camping gear – nearly got stuck in the primordial ooze under the brittle surface of the pan. Personally, I think the setting was perfect.

Although the night was bitterly cold, the catering team did a fine job of warming us up with some tasty chicken and some oxtail stew.

Into the Delta