Calm Down In The Khwai

[ Vehicle Launch ] New Ford Everest In Northern Botswana

- Micky Baker

Car launches are, more often than not, carefully manicured events that serve to 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 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 a couple dozen canvas tents pitched in a large circle. A vital mopani wood fire burned right in the middle.