Run in the cradle of modern human life

Sua Pan, the Eastern of three salt pans situated in the middle of the dry savanna of North-Eastern Botswana, is one of the largest salt flats in the world.

A recent scientific study has identified the Pans area as the place from which all modern mankind originates. A single tribe of modern man established themselves here for 70,000 years before migrating North and South 130,00 years ago. All those years ago the area was a huge vast fertile wet and lake area. It was this Northern migration from the Sua Pans Great Lake area that saw the start of mankind’s colonisation of the World.

The pans are striking in their beauty. However, the harsh environment of the pans will make conditions on race day anyone’s guess. Late rains may make the pans muddy and wet. Hot winds whip up sand and slow progress. The salt crystals in the sand reflect the sun and the bright glare demands sunglasses are worn. October is when the cooler months of winter suddenly warm.  The rise in temperature is sudden and marks the start of 6 months of hot weather. Be prepared for anything.

At night the stars reach down and caress the horizon. The Milky Way (Botswana’s equivalent of the Northern lights) is as clear to the naked eye here as anywhere else on earth and shooting stars are bright and sudden. The sunsets and sunrises amaze and the complete solitude forces introspection.