A brutal, satisfying 108km walk through the Pans
Mompoloki Rankgate | Thursday July 31, 2025 11:04
The back-breaking distance was divided into three days with the first day made up of 28 kilometres from Sowa Lodge to Sowa Spit and Day Two consisting of 52kms from Sowa Spit to the majestic Kokonje island and then back to Sowa Spit. Day Three was the final 28 km stretch from from Sowa Spit and back to Sowa Lodge.
The walk attracted hikers from Botswana, Lesotho South Africa.
What made the event more special was that I was chosen to be the lead walker, something I never imagined doing as I always preferred being the sweeper. Nonetheless I took the opportunity with both hands and my heart “white” like legendary Isaac Makwala.
In a jubilant mood we set off from the camp, and the 28kms to Sowa Spit proved a great warm-up of what was to come. By the evening of the first day, we had all arrived in the new camp and soaked our feet in hot water using the raw salt from the same pan we walked in, to ease the blisters and painful ankles.
After our dinner, and having taken pictures of the amazing sunset, some rewarded themselves with cold drinks and jokes, while others decided to rest with the gruelling 52km in mind the next day.
In the wee hours of Saturday, the real work started as I woke up at around 5am and took a bath under the clear, cold sky with a little breeze. At 6am, YCare trustee Nelson Letshwene shouted “walker’s walkers,” and by 6:30am all of us were lined up for the warm-up exercise.
Shortly thereafter, we hit the trail, walking through the emptiness of the flat plains of the pans towards Kokonje Island.
The first 12kms of the 52km required to reach Kokonje Island was nothing but true exploration of what the pans offer. We saw elephant, springbok and ostrich tracks which heightened our adrenaline and hope that we would encounter these iconic species. However, the only wildlife we spotted was a lonely fox who seemed to be feeding off dead birds. The fox then decided to take over as the lead walker and covered at least 2kms of the walk ahead of us which brought a lot of excitement.
By the time we reached the 40km mark, we regrouped for our breakfast in the pan which really felt refreshing. After recharging the batteries, the mind, soul, body was set on reaching Kokonje Island, whose beauty we had been told about.
However, the walk became harder and harder as the legs took a beating. Eventually we reached Kokonje Island and went to the view point. The only common word among the walkers was “wow!” Kokonje Island was “a wow” as people say in slang.
The place is breathtakingly beautiful to a point where even pictures don’t do justice.
Before long, however, it was time to return to Sowa Pit to complete the day. Unfortunately the pan humbled us as the majority struggled with blisters, ankles and hamstrings.
For the first since I started doing the Makgadikgadi Pans walk, I had to see the medic as blisters meant I could not walk properly anymore.
The last group touched down at the camp by 2100hrs and were welcomed by ululations from the support team. As the norm we soaked our feet in hot and salty water and we rested for the final day to Sowa Lodge to complete the 108km.
This third day, however, we cruised easily as if we had not suffered the previous day. We touched down at Sowa Lodge in good spirits and songs of accomplishment, proud of what we had achieved, especially since the entire struggle was to benefit the less fortunate.
As for me and the walk medic, Lone, our day wasn't done. We quickly showered and headed to Dukwi village 30km away from our base as if we were not in pain. We wanted to explore the night life and upon our arrival, were welcomed by an influx of globetrotters parked beside the road.
The Harvest Best liquor restaurant was the chosen place our enjoyment and what we wanted is exactly what we got. A bunch of happy people enjoying the night out together, dancing and laughing peacefully! The highlight of the day was an old lady with an amputated leg showing off her best dancing skills despite being on crunches. She danced till the joint closed leaving us amazed!
Like Celine Dion said, goodbye is the saddest word. On Tuesday morning we packed our stuff and headed to our different destinations.
A special thanks to the Ycare team for supporting me on my first experience as walk leader which I really enjoyed. To the fellow walkers from FNBB First Walkers Club, Botash and individual walkers who listened to my instructions throughout the walk, I am grateful.
Remember to do what you love and love what you do in your everyday life.