KALAHARI BUNDU BASH 2013 - RE-LAUNCHED

[Yolande]

We are looking at re-launching this end of June 2013, you can email me if you are interested : kalaharibundubash@gmail.com

Regards
Yolande


For readers unfamiliar with this event, here’s a
brief overview. The destination is Koppieskraal Pan,
a large dry lakebed right in the corner of South
Africa, adjacent to Botswana and Namibia. This is
about as far from civilization as you can get without
a passport. The hosts are widely known as Mamma & Pappa
Kalahari Ansa and Eben Mocke. They really deserve
their titles, for without them this event would be
wishful thinking. This has become a must- attend
flying event each year!

It is Tuesday afternoon. The abandoned Upington Air
Force hangar is coming alive. Already trike wings are
being assembled and rigged onto undercarriages. The
fixed-wing aircraft are tied down to a sturdy cable
between the missile shelters outside. The clubhouse
is filled with golf shirt boxes and cold
refreshments. Mamma Kalahari has been busy!

In 2013, the Bundu is five days long, not four as it
has been for the last 19 years. Wednesday morning
pilots will be flying to Augrabies Falls about an
hour’s flight from Upington. There the guys and girls will be
having lunch and will visit the great Augrabies
Waterfalls. After lunch the guys & girls
will return to Upington, flying along the mighty
Orange River. Mamma & Pappa Kalahari will treat them to
dinner.

Thursday morning, everybody is ready to take on the
big red Kalahari in full force. Departure from
Upington Airport is at 8 a.m. All the trikes, gyros,
and homebuilt fixed-wings are ready to leave for
Koppieskraalpan. Brunch and fuel are waiting for all
the pilots and ground crew.

Arriving at Koppieskraalpan, base camp for the next
four days, everybody is in great spirits after the
pleasant 111 naautical mile (128 mile) flight from
Upington. Here you can fly when you want, where you
want, as low as you want!

The Koppieskraalpan Pan, or dry lake, is about 10
kilometers (6 miles) wide and 15 kilometers (9 miles)
long, with no fences or telephone lines to worry
about. Just over the dunes to the northwest lies
Hakskeenpan, a pan so big you can land an Airbus
380-300 there and do touch and goes without even
doing a circuit!

At base camp, you are treated to 5-Star catering like
you have never seen before. It is supplied by the
local community, as is all the equipment. This
includes warm water showers (yes, you are reading
correctly, warm water showers in the middle of
nowhere!), toilets, and chairs. Every 5-Star
convenience you can think of is brought 100
kilometers (62 miles) to this spot in the middle of
nowhere.

The Kalahari Bundu Bash is a family event Bring your tent and come enjoy
the Green Kalahari from the sky with no worries about
ATCs or aircraft radios. The airmanship practiced by
the pilots attending the Bundu is without equal. On
Friday and Saturday, the skies above Koppieskraal Pan
looked like Heathrow in London. This is true flying,
and it is a must for everybody.

Sunday morning everybody packs up their camping gear
and returns to Upington after a weekend that will
surely not be forgotten.

That’s a look at what flying in the Kalahari and
flying the Bundu is all about. Come and join us next
year for the flying time of your life!

[Thatchman]

I see the dates have changed now!!

You never going to able to accommodate everyone unfortunately. The original date in mid June was good for me but end of June is financial year end so that will count me out

[Gaylord Focker]

I also think its going to be out of reach financialy for the majority of people considering the economy but hey i could be wrong be interesting to see what its going to cost,

[Tribal Croc]

This will alway be the problem : events on the same date

It's simple decide which one you want attend and then do it

That said end of the months are normally busy at the lodge so I would also prefer the original dates

[KERBS]

This sounds perfect,not to be missed!
I believe the world land speed record test will be taking place over those dunes...around that time!
Once in a lifetime opportunity.......

[Tribal Croc]

Any updates

After Flying down to Numbi and having a blast , I think its time for some longer trips

[Madman]

Nou praat ons Mr Croc

Numbi made me hungry for long trips

[Rudix]

Hmmmm, won't hold my breath, sent 2 email messages and no reply.......

The last 2 Kalahari Bundu Bashes were canceled......

[Dobbs]

Sent an email this week end and Yolande responded this morning, so they are responding to emails - a couple of comments which I made:

- Having had the privilege of attending some 8 years ago, I can vouch for the wonderful catering that the participants were given, however, that is not why I attended, I suggested that if costs can be cut by providing good basic food - poetjie's etc, that should be the way to go
- Secondly, I will be attending the BloodHound SSC speed record attemp, and will not be able to afford both, so what better way of swelling the numbers by coinciding the events?

The last attempt, some two or so years ago was killed by the price, so lets encourage them to put together a cost conscious budget, because for anyone that has not been, this has to be one for the bucket list

[Blue Max]

I agree with the notion that the 'BASH' must co-incide with the world speed record attempt.
To put something like this together requires a lot of work and our hosts should be encourage to go ahead with their plans as it can only be beneficial for all of us.
The area around the pans in the most Northern and desolated section of our country is truly worth a vissit. Something you will never forget.
Manne as julle nog nie daar was nie, droom gerus daaroor want dit sal sonder twyfel een van jou grootste vlieg-avonture wees wat jy as ML Pilot ooit onderneem het..

[Boet]

I started saving up. This is the fly in I MUST not miss. For those complaining about the price: I is not fair to expect the host to pay out of HIS pocket for YOUR convenience. It happened. I stopped organizing fly-ins for that very reason. People expect to be wined and dined, and get the Hell in with u when they have to help pay for it! One of the ills of aviation. Some of the clan members obviously have this thing about Aviation OWING them something. It owes u NOTHING. PAY for your own way, and if u can`t, stay at home.

The Kalahari Bundu Bash is the most fun one can have with your clothes on. So voer maar die spaarvarkie, en jaag solank die vrou uit op prostitusie. Dis vir die die-hards. Sien julle daar!! O ja, en als wat mooi is vir 2013. Hoop almal maak genoeg geld sodat hulle KBB toe kan kom, sonder om te klae oor die koste daaraan verbonde!

[Yolande]

The tentative date for the bundu is from the 30th of May 2013 to the 2nd of June 2013,We are busy getting a 10 year weather report for that time to make sure we have very good chance of great weather. So the date may shift little but not much depending on the report.

[Yolande]

Hmmmm, won't hold my breath, sent 2 email messages and no reply.......

The last 2 Kalahari Bundu Bashes were canceled......

Hi, sorry please can you give me your email then I can reply to you!

Regards
Yolande

[Yolande]

Hi,

The tentative date for the Bundu is from the 30th of May 2013 to the 2nd of June 2013, I am busy getting a 10 year weather report for that time to make sure we have great weather. So the date may shift little but not much depending on the report.

You need to email me if you want to be part of the Bundu Bash 2013 - kalaharibundubash@gmail.com

Thx
Yolande
0832828792

[Yolande]

KALAHARI BUNDU BASH VIDEO - A MUST ATTEND!!

http://vimeo.com/36640965