Re Map of the area to illustrate location
Hi guys
I thought ye all might want to know exactly where Uys has been in this trip. Since a lot of people dont know the exact geography of Africa I thought a few maps might help.
Uys lives in Sandton a city very close to Johannesburg. I originate from there as well howver prior to coming to Canada I had moved to another city in SA called Pietermaritzburg which is approx 600Km South East of Johannesburg.
Ok So there are two maps here this one shows you the Southern African Region, consisting of South Africa at the Southern tip to the very north west you have Namibia (formerly South West Africa) then going east but still north of South Africa you have Botswana. This is where Uys went on his trip. Further north of South Africa is the basket case of the continent, Zimbabwe ( formerly Rhodesia) and to the very east of South Africa is Mozambique.
Now if we zoom in I have marked on the next map the approximate route that Uys took from his home around Johannesburg in South Africa to Maun in Botswana.
For info purposes here is a link to a 4x4 trail map of Botswana and all the reserves that exist in the Maun area.
http://www.namibia-forum.ch:8080/tracks4africa/
Just for the record Botswana is one of the most well managed countries in Africa. It has taken a beating in the finacial crisis due to its major export being diamonds. But it is big on tourism especially the adventure and safari tourist. The game is well preserved there and you can see them in the true wild. Great people and great country but it is a separate independent country just like South Africa.
Hope this helps put Uys's trip into perspective for all.
By the way a trip like Uys has taken is not for the faint hearted at all. It is tough terrain with few of the North American conveniences that most of you are used to. But if you have the inclination to visit and use a safari company this is some of the most wonderful wildlife country in the world.