Botswana Ep 01 4K In search of the "Lost City of The Kalahari"?

Botswana Wild & Wonderful
A lap around Botswana heading north through the Kalahari Desert.
Hello and welcome back to a New and exciting series of discovery.
The open road has beckoned once more, and this time, our journey leads us toward Botswana.
After meticulous planning, the day has finally arrived.
We are locked and loaded and provisioned for a month of
offgrid living.
But first our journey takes us 1500 km north to the remote Kaa Gate deep in the kalahari where we enter Botswana.
Feeling a little bleak after crashing the drone in the first days of our trip.
We take the backroad to Riemvasmaak.
The back roads are where the adventure really starts, turning an ordinary trip into something worth remembering.
We anticipate the unexpected and this road delivered spectacular scenery.
It took us a little longer to get there but this road gets a big smiley face from us.
Our spirits are lifted by breathtaking landscapes, that remind us of of the Namaqua 4x4 trail.
There’s a shortcut to Riemvasmaak, but we prefer to explore the back roads.
After Battling the strong winds and a crashed drone our spirits are lifted with
And this particular back road doesn’t disappoint-it's a stunning scenic route that earns a smiley face from us.
After a night of wind tunneling we feel a bit crusty around the edges.
On our way out We pause once more at the viewpoint, to take in the impressive landscape.
Heading north we skirt along the Namibian border rolling over the Kalahari dunes. And pass through the remote town of Noeniputs. The roads are desolate yet stunning in their solitude. But before we enter the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, we have one more quest ahead and that is: to seek out the legendary Lost City of the Kalahari..
Noeniputs is a small settlement located in the Northern Cape province of South Africa, close to the Namibian border. It is one of the remotest places in the country, with vast open landscapes typical of the arid Kalahari Desert region. The town is sparsely populated and primarily serves as a stopover for travelers crossing the border or exploring the harsh, yet striking desert environment. The surrounding area is characterized by dry riverbeds, sparse vegetation, and wide-open skies, offering a sense of isolation and tranquility. The community is small, and facilities are minimal, emphasizing its role as a rural outpost rather than a destination in itself.
We spent a beautiful night at Koppieskraal Kameelplaas.
It is also the home of the fabled Lost City of the Kalahari.
The mystery centers around William Leonard Hunt, better known as "The Great Farini," a famed 19th-century Canadian adventurer, showman, and trapeze artist. In 1885, Farini embarked on an expedition into the Kalahari Desert, a region in southern Africa that was, at the time, largely unexplored by Europeans.
Upon his return, Farini claimed to have discovered the ruins of an ancient, lost city buried beneath the sands of the Kalahari. He described finding walls, terraces, and stone structures that appeared to be remnants of a once-great civilization.
Some historians and archaeologists believe that Farini may have misinterpreted natural rock formations or remnants of early human settlements as ruins of a grand city. Others suggest that the story may have been embellished or even fabricated to enhance Farini's own mystique.
Regardless of the truth, the tale of Farini and his Lost City of the Kalahari remains a captivating piece of African exploration lore, blending adventure, mystery, and the timeless human fascination with hidden treasures and ancient civilizations. It’s a story that continues to inspire the imagination of those who hear it, adding to the mystique of the Kalahari Desert itself.
Facebook
/ soultoniclife
Patreon
Support us and join our tribe
www.patreon.co...
Website
soultoniclife....
The Cookbook
soultoniclife....

[@maphirimutshutshu2128]

This is gonna be great series 😊. Botswana is magical

[@SoulTonicLife]

Hey Maphiri, magical doesn’t begin to describe Botswana. The country, the people and the animals. Lots of adventures on their way. 🙌

[@leonpotgieter4701]

Nice nice. Welcome back

[@SoulTonicLife]

Hi Leon, thank you for your warm welcome. 😉

[@katweasel]

This was completely brilliant. Jeez.

[@SoulTonicLife]

Mr P, lovely feedback, thank you x

[@chriskoch9883]

Lekker julle. Nice footage!

[@SoulTonicLife]

Dankie bokkie. 😘

[@iamgeoffandthisismystory]

Always great to see you back with another awesome series 🤙🏻🇿🇦

[@SoulTonicLife]

We really feeling the love, at the moment 🥰thank you, lots of adventures coming up👍🏼

[@OliverNick-y3i]

You made my day! Thanks for taking us again to that epic journey! Looking forward for the next episode Cheers Oliver

[@SoulTonicLife]

Hey Oliver, only a pleasure. We look forward to sharing the rest of the adventures with you…fasten your seatbelt 😉🤣

[@pollybauermeister7524]

Great way to start your new journey! The stark beauty of the rock formations, definately helped on with the wind you encountered, and seeing the stunning sunsets. I am so looking forward to sharing the rest of your trip.Travel safely my Bravehearts❤❤❤

[@SoulTonicLife]

Thanks for the heartfelt words, lots of adventures lie in wait. 😉😘

[@Oursimplelifeinbotswana]

Thanks again we like your videos

[@SoulTonicLife]

Thank you so much for your fantastic feedback, really appreciated. 💕

[@troopyinafrica]

My red chair in the lounge is ready for me to enjoy this series. I just have to hear 1 month in Botswana and why wouldn’t I be filled with FOMO. So here’s to you 🍻 keeping us topped up 😜. PS you know I have soft spot for the cruiser. Spent many a day following my mates one.

[@SoulTonicLife]

Sit back relax kick up your feet and we will do all the heavy lifting. Yes there will be some thrills and spills in the upcoming episodes. Enjoy!😉

[@troopyinafrica]

@@SoulTonicLife Looking forward to it.

[@walkerbay6373]

Good to see Diane relaxing from her usual Kitchen Duties!😁

[@SoulTonicLife]

Ahh, you know, you need to let other people shine 😉🤣

[@deriusnorris4463]

Once again an epic video. Thanks. Riemvasmaak is windy, we didn't find the pools warm and the drive out was entertaining(considering our rig is heavy and the centre diff locks when in low range so a quick removal of the front drive shaft before leaving was the order of the day😂, so the transfer case wouldn't bind up during the ascent on the concrete😅). Love that area, there is something about it that calms ones soul.

[@SoulTonicLife]

Thank you for your interesting comment, sounds like quite the saga, phew! Must say we had it very easy in comparison It’s a lovely spot, little bit too lively on the weekends 🤣 but very dramatic and special.

[@shaunmoller2997]

As always epic content. Footage next level and this is overlanding at its best. Thanks for sharing mooi loop

[@SoulTonicLife]

Thanks as always Shaun, we are so happy you also enjoyed this episode. One of my favourites 👍🏼

[@franspistorius1886]

Nice to join you on your trip, enjoy your comical side and energy. Love your music, don’t want to be a moangat, but it is a bit too loud, particularly when one is using headphones. Need to keep on changing the volume. Apart from that, great footage and your microphones are excellent. Thanks

[@SoulTonicLife]

Hi Frans, 🤣that’s how we keep you on your toes…no kicking back to relax. Thanks for the feedback, it’s not an exact science and we are always learning. Let us know if episode 2 and 3 are better from a contrasting volume point of view. 😉

[@trailscout22]

I love this channel. Your set up is so nice and simple. Yet another nice video. Thank you.

[@SoulTonicLife]

Thank you ☺️, as time goes by we make subtle upgrades to the rig, just enough to be more efficient, durable and comfortable, but still simple. For us the journey is the key factor and being able to share it with you all. 👍🏼 keep watching, lots of good stuff in store 😉

[@godwinsafariguide2663]

My favorite ❤

[@SoulTonicLife]

So nice to hear from our favourite Botswanas safari guide and booking agent. Hope you are well Godwin 😉🦁🐘🦒

[@godwinsafariguide2663]

@@SoulTonicLife I'm great! Thank you. I'm in the bush as we speak.

[@SoulTonicLife]

Lucky you 💕enjoy!!

[@modisaneunity4534]

Nice visuals! Bots Native here🎉

[@SoulTonicLife]

Thank you, we hope you will enjoy the episodes coming up of your beautiful country 👍🏼🦒

[@stephenhankey688]

That was nice, and subscribed!! From Steve near Chester England 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 where the Roman's once lived.

[@SoulTonicLife]

Hi Stephen, from where the Roman’s once lived 🤣always good to add geographical and historical context. We appreciate it 😆 Welcome and enjoy the bumpy ride, guaranteed not to be boring. Thank you for subscribing, now we only have to work on the remaking 61.5% that haven’t subscribed yet. 👍🏼

[@uliatiafricacom]

I have been missing your travels, so thank you for uploading a new episode. I am sorry about your mishap with the drone, but have you managed to get it properly fixed again? I am interested to know when you did this trip. I am looking forward to your upcoming episodes.

[@SoulTonicLife]

Hi Uli, thank you for your lovely message, fortunately Christoph managed with the help of a little first aid, to get eagle eye back in the sky. We were in Botswana during May and June.

[@uliatiafricacom]

@@SoulTonicLife Thank you, Diane :)