Ballito caravanners take off into Africa

Hilliary and Ian Catt are seasoned caravanners and have taken their off-road caravan on a series of adventures through Namibia and Botswana.

The Ballito residents own a Jurgens Xcape, featuring a slide-out bed, kitchen with two gas plates, and lots of hidden storage space – all you really need for a couple of weeks in the African bush.

Another great feature is the attached mover, which takes some of the legwork out of moving the caravan.

“Off-road caravans in particular are very heavy, and this way people of a more advanced age are able to extend their caravanning days,” said Ian, who is an honourary ranger for SANParks.

The couple’s first big trip was in May 2015, when they travelled 8500km in five and a half weeks. It is a lot of time on the road, but all worthwhile when you get to your destination, said the couple.

Travelling in convoy with friends, Ian and Hilliary ventured into Botswana, travelling through Maun, and eventually reaching the Kunene River, that forms the border between Angola and Botswana.

Once here they camped at several places along the river. A highlight was glimpsing the rare Pel’s fishing owl.

The beauty of their trips is the element of spontaneity.

“A great thing about caravanning is that you don’t have to book ahead a lot,” said Ian.

They made sure to book at Etosha National Park, a particularly popular campsite, and another campsite near Upington at Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park.

“The rest of the time we went where we felt like it, stayed a night if we felt like it. We had a plan and a route, but did not always stick to the plan.”

They ventured into Botswana again on a trip with their son, Anthony, two years ago. This time, they explored the eastern side of the country.

“We camped on the banks of the Chobe River, at the border between Botswana, Zimbabwe and Zambia. From the Chobe we cut across the Caprivi Strip,” said Ian.

“We went to an unbelievable camp called Ngepi Camp in Namibia, which is like a 60s hippie camp.”

Okavango Delta in Botswana is another region that stands out for them. They did a four-night trip into the river.

“We took a cruise onto an island in the middle of nowhere, and spent two nights there. We would see elephants wading up onto the island. The animal life up there is amazing,” said Hilliary.

Ian has some sage advice for travelling in remote areas.

“You can arrive at a town and the only petrol station does not have fuel.

“So you have got to plan very sensibly and do a lot of homework.

“It is a good idea to carry fuel with you and know the distances between towns.”

The couple have had their fair share of punctures on the road.

“In Etosha National Park, we were on the way back to the camp we were staying in, and we knew there was a pride of lions in the vicinity. Within about three kilometres of the camp we got a puncture.

“I don’t think I have ever changed a tyre so quickly!” said Ian, adding that it was all part of the adventure.

In February next year they plan to go from the Western Cape up into southern Namibia and cut across into the Kalahari. They would also like to visit Mana Pools in Zimbabwe.

One of Ian’s favourite things is reveling in the beauty of an African sunset.

“As the sun sets over the Chobe River, the dust filters up and it turns the sun bright, fire red. It is absolutely beautiful.”