We departed Heathrow and it seemed we had been planning this trip for ages.  We normally check it is not rainy season in the Far East, then jump on a plane with 10 Kg of luggage and fly off without a care in the world.   

However, the preparation for this trip has been different for a multitude of reasons. Safety, terrain, accommodation and the high demand campsites in Botswana and Namibia get booked up months in advance.  We had to pre-book and paid for over 20 sites using a wide range of payment systems, some of which we had never heard of, and as many used non-secure websites, we may arrive in Joburg with an empty bank account.

The estimated driving distance will be over 10,000 Km and much is gravel roads or sand tracks.  The tent roofed 4 x 4 has a long range fuel tank and a spare wheel or two for the inevitable Namibia punctures.

We deliberated long and hard about satellite trackers, sat phones, mobile phone coverage, rescue services and have been reassured by many guides, face book forums etc that the items we have chosen (an iPhone 5, 2 bungees and a gerber) is adequate. 

We have studied the scams, crime patterns, watched dozens of 'what to do when animals attack' videos and now it is time to head off with our head torches, sun cream and pocket full of mozzie pills.

Our planned trip is, South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, and Namibia, but more specifically Kruger National Park, Okavango Delta, Victoria Falls, Chobi National Park, Etosha National Park, Skeleton Coast, Cape Town, Garden Route and a bit of English history at Rorke's Drift to wind it up.