When the teams from Tourimus, Enjoy Travel and On the Rocks set out on a cross-border road trip into Botswana, expectations were high. The journey would cover more than 2 800 km of tar, gravel and bush tracks, each stretch carrying its own tests of endurance, patience and mechanical reliability.
Fortunately, this wasn’t a journey made in just any vehicle. The newly launched Isuzu MU-X XT, sponsored by Auas Motors, was along for the ride, and by the end of the adventure, it had earned more than respect - it had become part of the team.
The road begins
We pulled out of Windhoek with anticipation humming in the air. Passports in hand, cool drinks packed and cameras ready, the only question was, could the MU-X handle what awaited beyond the border?
The answer came quickly. While Namibia’s side of the journey eased the team in with forgiving tar roads, Botswana wasted no time showing its true colours. The smooth blacktop gave way to gravel, dust and potholes big enough to make drivers instinctively grip the wheel tighter. But where nerves might normally rise, the MU-X inspired calm. Its 4x4 system dug in and made short work of the rough patches, delivering confidence with every kilometre.
Carli’s take: Comfort meets capability
“For me, the MU-X XT was more than just a ride; it became a co-pilot. It shifted effortlessly between surfaces, never once making us feel like we had bitten off more than we could chew. But what really stood out was the 360-degree surround-view monitor,” said Carli Abrantes from Enjoy Travel.
“In Botswana, you don’t just drive, you negotiate. Sandy turns, rocky outcrops, sneaky tree roots, and even the occasional water patch can turn into a guessing game.”
She explained that with the MU-X, those gambles disappeared. “Every angle, every obstacle, it was right there on screen. It felt less like off-roading and more like being guided by a trusty second set of eyes.”
According to her, inside the vehicle, comfort was the true luxury. “Picture this: four adults, each with a massive suitcase, plus laptop bags and camera gear. Normally, that equation equals cramped legs and strained tempers. But the MU-X handled it with ease, giving us breathing room, USB-C ports for all our devices, and air-conditioning for every seat.
“Dual-zone climate control may sound like a small detail, but when you’ve spent hours on the road, avoiding the dreaded ‘I’m freezing!’ versus ‘I’m melting!’ debate is priceless.”
And then there was the soundtrack.
“Thanks to Android Auto and a stellar sound system, our playlists filled the cab, carrying us through long, dusty stretches when the road felt endless. Even Google Maps, usually the source of arguments, did its job without much fuss. The MU-X didn’t just transport us; it kept the vibe alive, keeping us laughing and singing even when the journey tested our patience.”
Strong. Spacious. Smart. By the end, the MU-X XT felt less like a vehicle and more like the teammate who never complained and always had our backs, she said.
Herklaas’s take: From border posts to bush tracks
“There’s something about a border post that always makes me double-check myself. Passport? Check. Cool drinks? Check. Will the vehicle handle what’s waiting? Normally, that last thought lingers. But with the MU-X XT, there wasn’t a shred of doubt,” said Herklaas Labuschagne from Tourimus.
“Botswana does not let you off easy. From the first gravel stretch, the game was on. Dust billowed in our wake, and potholes - big enough to qualify as seasonal dams - kept us alert. But where others might curse or tense up, the MU-X made it all fun.”
He said that its 4x4 system transformed bundu bashing into a kind of sport. “Instead of white knuckles on the steering wheel, I caught myself grinning. The biggest surprise, though, was the 360-degree camera system. Normally, I do not trust gadgets. But this one? It was a revelation. High-definition, crystal clear, and utterly reliable. It felt like having four extra pairs of eyes watching over us.”
Labuschagne said that tight river crossings stopped being guesswork, and bush tracks lined with hidden obstacles became straightforward. “Instead of holding my breath, I relaxed and enjoyed the ride. When we finally crossed back into Namibia after 2 800 km, the MU-X had stopped feeling like ‘the car’. It was part of the crew: Tough, clever and dependable. For me, that’s the highest praise you can give a vehicle.”
Beyond the road: The spirit of the journey
But a road trip is never just about the vehicle; it’s about the moments it makes possible. The MU-X carried us through landscapes that seemed to shift with every horizon: Wide savannahs dotted with acacia trees, remote gravel tracks that felt like they had not seen another traveller in weeks. And then those moments when silence fell in the vehicle, because everyone was simply staring out the window, awed by Botswana’s wild, unspoiled beauty.
The MU-X didn’t just get us there, it gave us the peace of mind to appreciate it. When the roads grew tough, we trusted the vehicle. When the heat pressed down, the air-conditioning saved us. When batteries ran low, USB ports revived them. And when spirits threatened to dip, music lifted them back up.
By the time we returned home, dusty and tired but smiling, we realised something: the MU-X had not just been our transport. It had shaped the journey. It had given us comfort when we needed it, confidence when the terrain tested us, and laughter when the kilometres stretched on.
A team member on four wheels
Road trips are always a gamble. You cannot control the border queues, the potholes or the weather. But you can control your choice of vehicle, and in Botswana, that choice matters. The Isuzu MU-X XT proved itself as more than just a 4x4. It was a true travel companion. Strong, spacious and packed with smart features, it turned a demanding journey into a story worth retelling.
Fortunately, this wasn’t a journey made in just any vehicle. The newly launched Isuzu MU-X XT, sponsored by Auas Motors, was along for the ride, and by the end of the adventure, it had earned more than respect - it had become part of the team.
The road begins
We pulled out of Windhoek with anticipation humming in the air. Passports in hand, cool drinks packed and cameras ready, the only question was, could the MU-X handle what awaited beyond the border?
The answer came quickly. While Namibia’s side of the journey eased the team in with forgiving tar roads, Botswana wasted no time showing its true colours. The smooth blacktop gave way to gravel, dust and potholes big enough to make drivers instinctively grip the wheel tighter. But where nerves might normally rise, the MU-X inspired calm. Its 4x4 system dug in and made short work of the rough patches, delivering confidence with every kilometre.
Carli’s take: Comfort meets capability
“For me, the MU-X XT was more than just a ride; it became a co-pilot. It shifted effortlessly between surfaces, never once making us feel like we had bitten off more than we could chew. But what really stood out was the 360-degree surround-view monitor,” said Carli Abrantes from Enjoy Travel.
“In Botswana, you don’t just drive, you negotiate. Sandy turns, rocky outcrops, sneaky tree roots, and even the occasional water patch can turn into a guessing game.”
She explained that with the MU-X, those gambles disappeared. “Every angle, every obstacle, it was right there on screen. It felt less like off-roading and more like being guided by a trusty second set of eyes.”
According to her, inside the vehicle, comfort was the true luxury. “Picture this: four adults, each with a massive suitcase, plus laptop bags and camera gear. Normally, that equation equals cramped legs and strained tempers. But the MU-X handled it with ease, giving us breathing room, USB-C ports for all our devices, and air-conditioning for every seat.
“Dual-zone climate control may sound like a small detail, but when you’ve spent hours on the road, avoiding the dreaded ‘I’m freezing!’ versus ‘I’m melting!’ debate is priceless.”
And then there was the soundtrack.
“Thanks to Android Auto and a stellar sound system, our playlists filled the cab, carrying us through long, dusty stretches when the road felt endless. Even Google Maps, usually the source of arguments, did its job without much fuss. The MU-X didn’t just transport us; it kept the vibe alive, keeping us laughing and singing even when the journey tested our patience.”
Strong. Spacious. Smart. By the end, the MU-X XT felt less like a vehicle and more like the teammate who never complained and always had our backs, she said.
Herklaas’s take: From border posts to bush tracks
“There’s something about a border post that always makes me double-check myself. Passport? Check. Cool drinks? Check. Will the vehicle handle what’s waiting? Normally, that last thought lingers. But with the MU-X XT, there wasn’t a shred of doubt,” said Herklaas Labuschagne from Tourimus.
“Botswana does not let you off easy. From the first gravel stretch, the game was on. Dust billowed in our wake, and potholes - big enough to qualify as seasonal dams - kept us alert. But where others might curse or tense up, the MU-X made it all fun.”
He said that its 4x4 system transformed bundu bashing into a kind of sport. “Instead of white knuckles on the steering wheel, I caught myself grinning. The biggest surprise, though, was the 360-degree camera system. Normally, I do not trust gadgets. But this one? It was a revelation. High-definition, crystal clear, and utterly reliable. It felt like having four extra pairs of eyes watching over us.”
Labuschagne said that tight river crossings stopped being guesswork, and bush tracks lined with hidden obstacles became straightforward. “Instead of holding my breath, I relaxed and enjoyed the ride. When we finally crossed back into Namibia after 2 800 km, the MU-X had stopped feeling like ‘the car’. It was part of the crew: Tough, clever and dependable. For me, that’s the highest praise you can give a vehicle.”
Beyond the road: The spirit of the journey
But a road trip is never just about the vehicle; it’s about the moments it makes possible. The MU-X carried us through landscapes that seemed to shift with every horizon: Wide savannahs dotted with acacia trees, remote gravel tracks that felt like they had not seen another traveller in weeks. And then those moments when silence fell in the vehicle, because everyone was simply staring out the window, awed by Botswana’s wild, unspoiled beauty.
The MU-X didn’t just get us there, it gave us the peace of mind to appreciate it. When the roads grew tough, we trusted the vehicle. When the heat pressed down, the air-conditioning saved us. When batteries ran low, USB ports revived them. And when spirits threatened to dip, music lifted them back up.
By the time we returned home, dusty and tired but smiling, we realised something: the MU-X had not just been our transport. It had shaped the journey. It had given us comfort when we needed it, confidence when the terrain tested us, and laughter when the kilometres stretched on.
A team member on four wheels
Road trips are always a gamble. You cannot control the border queues, the potholes or the weather. But you can control your choice of vehicle, and in Botswana, that choice matters. The Isuzu MU-X XT proved itself as more than just a 4x4. It was a true travel companion. Strong, spacious and packed with smart features, it turned a demanding journey into a story worth retelling.
