Botswana Pans A Tough Test For An Old Defender With New Tyres

Having recently made the decision to acquire a new set of tyres for my well-travelled Land Rover Defender it was time to set the wheels rolling and see whether the advice and research would pay off.

The Defender 90 had always been shod with mud terrain tyres and this would be my first time driving an extended distance on a set of all terrain rubber.

I had opted for the Wrangler Duratrac RT which are designed for a 50/50 on/offroad application and seeing as we were heading into Botswana to the Makgadikgadi Pans thats exactly what we would be doing.

There would be three couples going, all of us in Defenders, to attend the Oppipanne Fees just outside Nata and about 25 kilometres into the Pan.

I do oil and filter services myself but for peace of mind I booked the Landy for a full check up to my regular specialist. When he phones you personally and asks what budget you have with a list of items that need to be repaired or replaced, you know its going to be an eye-watering exercise.