Quad biking is an adrenaline activity that has become a hit among the tourists that come to Botswana for a safari. Considered to be one of the best ways to explore all the places that are have sand roads leading to them and while quad biking, you can take your time and also use all the pace that you want. While you go out for quad biking in the country, there are a lot of things that you will get to see along your adventure and these include the wildlife that roams in the different parts of the places where you will go for your bike ride, meeting up with the locals and later on camping out while you admire the landscape.
Quad biking in Botswana is carried out in the Makgadikgadi salt pans and the Kalahari Desert and they are perfect due to the sandy nature of the roads that are found within the Kalahari Desert and the Makgadikgadi salt pans. The best time for tourists to go for quad biking in Botswana is during the dry season because during this time, there is no dense vegetation to stop you from racing from one corner to the next and the routes that are used for this exact exercise are always completely free from floods and dense vegetation.
There are a few things that you need to know about quad biking and we have listed a few them here so that you are not side tracked when you get to Botswana.
- The quad bike rides are in most cases done at a time when the heat from the sun is not too much and that is why they always avoid the mid-afternoon because this is when the heat is extremely unbearable.
- Before you go for the quad bike rides in Botswana, you are always asked about your health and you will not be allowed if you have health issues for your own good.
- The quad bikes are always available for hire at a fair cost but you should make sure that you check and find out if they are still in good shape before you take them out for a ride.
- Make sure that you are also well prepared by putting on protective gears especially a helmet for your head protection, both knee and elbow caps and you should put on clothes that are appropriate for quad bike and do not forget to take lots of water while on your journey.
- When you are heading out for the quad bike rides in Botswana make sure that you follow all the rules and regulations that are given out by the tour guide because that is the only way you will be able to have a free and fun quad bike ride in the country.
- There is a specific age for quad biking in Botswana that is it is only open to those that are twelve years and above but those who are above sixty years are also not allowed to go for quad biking in the country.
Quad biking through the Kubu Island
The Kubu Island is a good place for all those that enjoy quad biking. It is located next to the Makgadikgadi salt pans. The Kubu Island is also filled with baobab trees that you can admire while riding your quad bike and the good thing about the quad bike rides in the Kubu Island is that there are many camps that offer accommodation and at the same time they are also provide itineraries for quad biking. The Island can be visited all throughout the year but if you are visiting for a quad bike experience, it is much safer for you to go during the dry season where the routes are not flooded and can easily be accessed by a quad bike.
Quad biking in the Makgadikgadi salt pans
The Makgadikgadi is a home to the Makgadikgadi national Park and one of the largest salt pans in the whole world. If you are in dire need of an adventure and you do not know where to go while on a safari to Botswana, then the best way to enjoy the wild is by going for a quad bike adventure in the Makgadikgadi. When you get to Makgadikgadi, you will be briefed about the safety measures that need to be taken before you are allowed on the bike.
Quad biking is very possible in in the Makgadikgadi because of the sandy nature of the roads that are within it and the best time for tourists to go for quad biking is during the dry season when the roads are not flooded and easily accessible while on a bike. It does not really matter whether you know how to ride the bike or not because you will still be given some instructions on how to handle it before being allowed to mount the bike.
A quad bike ride through the Makgadikgadi will leave you with an experience that you will never forget that is it is the easiest way for you to explore the expansive nature of the salt pans, get a close look at the animals that roam around the park in search of water and food like leopards, kudus, lions and if you are lucky, you might also witness the annual zebra migration.
It is also a chance to meet with the san people who are believed to have been the first inhabitants of Botswana and have been living in the area for more than 1000 years and get to know more about their culture, their traditions and how they have been living and surviving under these harsh conditions. Quad biking through Makgadikgadi is also another way to enjoy speeding through the Desert without being stopped making it the perfect destination for all adrenaline junkies.
Night quad bike rides are also offered in the Makgadikgadi slat pans and in most cases most of these rides take you closer to the salt pans and while here a tour guide will explain to you all you need to know about the formation of the salt pans, their history or the ride will take you to the Kubu Islands which are close by. Enjoy the night rides under the sky as there will be no animals to see at the salt pans during the night drives.
Quad biking in the Kalahari Desert
The Kalahari Desert is filled with sand dunes that you will be able to see while you are riding your quad bike. The large expanse of the Desert is fit for a quad bike ride and it also gives you a chance to get a close look at the animals that are used to the rough desert conditions. A quad biking safari in the Kalahari is one of the best things that you can do while in Botswana because every ride you take comes with its own surprises. You can ride your quad bike across the Desert and over several sand dunes and you will still be amazed at the different things that come with every leap that you take after every sand dune. And the only way that you can experience al this is by grabbing a bag and head out to the Kalahari Desert and enjoy a few days of quad biking as you enjoy animal viewing as well.
Quad biking in the Ntwetwe salt pan
The Ntwetwe salt pan which is located within the same vicinity as the Makgadikgadi salt pan is also a good place for one to go for an adventure of quad biking while in Botswana. These are normally carried out during the day and after driving though the expanse of the salt pans you can camp out and enjoy the beautiful sunset and the night skies after a long day on the bikes. The ride to the Ntwetwe salt pans begins at the planet of baobabs before stretching out into the salt pans and into the Makgadikgadi. You can use all the speed that you want and take as much as you want when riding through the Ntwetwe salt pan for as long as you follow all the routes that have been marked for quad biking.
Quad biking is the new thing that every tourists should at least participate in when they go for a safari to Botswana because it is the easiest way for one to tour and see everything that the semi desert area in the country has to offer to each person. During a quad bike, you can also take photos of all that you will see in order for you to remember every detail and not forgetting that you will also get to meet the locals that live in the area who are the san Bushmen. You should research about when to go for quad biking in Botswana and after finding out the right time, get a very good tour operator to help you book for your quad bike ride through the country.
