Bots Zim Zam

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gupster
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Bots Zim Zam

Post by gupster »

Hi all. Just been trolling the forum for trips done by members. I am loosely planning a trip from Durban, Francistown, Hwange, Manna pools, Luangwa, maybe Kafue, liuwa and then central Kalahari National parks. Hoping to do it in under 3 months and before the big rains.
I would really appreciate hearing from anyone who’s done part of this trip and who could offer me advice on campsites, safety etc. Also, certain border posts are quieter than others and any experience out there with that would be a big help to me.
Botswana is fine as I have been there many times, but the last time I was at Manna pools was in ’85 in a little Suzuki jeep. Never been to the Luangwa’s or Liuwa Nat parks.
Usually one gets advice from other travelers while on the road, but I want to be a little more prepared.
Many thanks.

Hi almal. Net sleep die forum vir reise deur lede. Ek los die beplanning van 'n reis van Durban, Francistown, Hwange, Manna Pools, Luangwa, miskien Kafue, Liuwa en dan die sentrale Kalahari Nasionale parke. Hoop om dit te doen in minder as 3 maande en voor die groot reën.
Ek sou regtig waardeer om te hoor van enigiemand wat gedoen is deel van hierdie reis en wat my raad oor kampplekke, veiligheid ens Ook kan bied, sekere grensposte is stiller as die ander en 'n ervaring wat daar is met wat 'n groot hulp vir my wees.
Botswana is 'n boete as ek daar baie keer is, maar die laaste tyd was ek by Manna Pools was in '85 in 'n bietjie Suzuki jeep. Nooit in die Luangwa se of Liuwa Nat parke.
Kry gewoonlik een advies van ander reisigers terwyl hy op die pad, maar ek wil 'n bietjie meer voorbereid wees.
Baie dankie.
Groete.
Barry
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Peter Connan
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Re: Bots Zim Zam

Post by Peter Connan »

Barry, unfortunately I have never gotten past Bots, so can't help much. I know Clem has traveled southern Zambia a number of times, perhaps a PM to him may help?

Mana is on my bucket list, but I just can't afford the fees and so have never actively started doing research, but Mike van Rensburg (MikeVR on sa4x4community) has a lot of useful info on the Zim parks. If you want, I can PM you his e-mail address.

Wish I could join you!
Mag ons ons kenniskry met lekkerkry aanhoukry.
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Re: Bots Zim Zam

Post by gupster »

Many thanks Peter.

Will PM Clem now asking him for advice on Zambia and a email address for Mike would also be appreciated as inside information on the parks will be an asset.

With your wealth of technical knowledge, I too wish you could join this excursion.

Kind regards
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Kagiso II
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Re: Bots Zim Zam

Post by Kagiso II »

MANA is super fantastic .. not much changed since you were there last .. ZIM is very friendly lately - lot of red tape at the border posts going in .. but go with patience and take it in as adventure. The road from the tar road in to Mana is VERY corrugated [murrrrrrrrrrr sleg] Take your tyres down to 1,2 bar en go slow.. . US Dollar is the currency .. all Toll points are ONE dollar. Road blocks check for silly things .. You MUST have the red reflectors at the back and white in front [buy from AA Office .. reflective tape] Bakkie [LDV must have full length at back cars/ SUV just on the corners. Also must have FIRE Extinguisher and yellow reflective jacket and tri-angles.

You need to book well in advance for Botswana parks -- get the MAY 2013 SA 4x4 magazine [you can get back orders from them] In there are ALL the institutions that control the different parks & facilities [dunno where else you will find them]

The Zambia ones are well web sited so you can google them
OH .. and do NOT miss out on the Lake boat trip :-)
In Zambia .. AVOID the PUKU Pan Lodge [new name: Mufungata safari lodge.] The previous owners sold to this lot and I get bad reports on them]
Good luck .. hope the other guys here can give you LOTS of "fill in info"
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Re: Bots Zim Zam

Post by gupster »

Thank you Kagiso, thats a lot of good information, especially what the Patrol has to wear in Zimbabwe. I heard somewhere that you can even be given a fine if your truck is dirty in Zim, but that might be urban legend.
I used to drive Range Rovers and they just hated corrugations to the point where they tried very determinedly to leave the road. Our trucks are so much better on corrugations but will still heed your excellent advice on reducing the tyre pressure.
I am going to enter Zim at Remokgwebane or Matsiloje from Bots, so hopefully not too busy but am concerned about which border post to use to enter Zam from Zim.
I assume the river boat trip you mention is the one where one gets to punish the liver, or a booze cruise. Yip, number one on the list.
They say there is no fool like and old fool and the pics I attache are my confirmation of this. In February this year, during storms in Botswana that flooded my friends house in Francistown, I still tried to cross the Central Kalahari national park by myself. I managed to dig the Troll out of the first bog on the first day but sanity prevailed and after going South from Deception on the second day I turned back after about 30 Ks with my tail between my legs only to get stuck again between Deception and Matswere gate. This time however I needed help to get me out.
So Central Kalahari is a challenge for my truck. Me, I'm just going for the ride. I dont suppose LOBO will be ready to join us just yet.
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Re: Bots Zim Zam

Post by Peter Connan »

Barry, a guy I know mentioned that they were fined for all sorts of imaginary infringements One fine per road block, totalling $280 for their trip to Mana and back. It seemed that most of these happened in the south and/or around Harare. They entered via Beit Bridge.

The north was fine, thus if you are doing Bots first, entering at Pandamatenga might be a good idea? However, others have said that they had no problems over a similar period, so possibly it was driver attitude related (I do believe this plays a very significant role).

My only foray into Zim was a short trip to Vic Falls from Kasane. The required red and white stickers were available for purchase at the border post, and it's good that we bought as there was a road block checking for them just 2km down the road...

The border was fairly quiet but incredibly badly organised, so it still took about an hour to get through. Pretty expensive too.

The time we did the CKGR it was bone dry, and no getting stuck was partaken in.
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gupster
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Re: Bots Zim Zam

Post by gupster »

Thanks Peter. I looked up Pandamatenga on T4A and it certainly makes sense to use that border post. Will make sure too I have the right reflectors.

Mike has contacted me and given me a lot of useful information and a whole lot of threads to read up on.

Thanks once again for all your help.

Regards.

Barry
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Kagiso II
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Re: Bots Zim Zam

Post by Kagiso II »

gupster wrote:Thanks Peter. I looked up Pandamatenga on T4A and it certainly makes sense to use that border post. Will make sure too I have the right reflectors.

Mike has contacted me and given me a lot of useful information and a whole lot of threads to read up on.

Thanks once again for all your help.

Regards.

Barry
Yooo-hooooooo GUPSTERRRR .. You there ?? :biggrin:
Oh - there you are .. Re Pandamatenga border .. VERY quiet [mostly locals using it] BUT REMEBER .. you can only ENTER INTO ZIMBABWE at this border post .. they dont receive money, dont have receipt forms, dont have a Tax officer on the BOPTSWANA side of that border post.
You can enter INTO Zim from Botsw side .. but you cannot even then return back through there into Botswana,
[Had that earlier this year when we recovered a broke down Landrammel from Hwange Park .. had to go all the way up to Kazangulu to get back into Botsw..
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Re: Bots Zim Zam

Post by Grant »

Barry,


TX for starting this post as I am planning a trip there next year in September. Will be watching. :clap: :clap:
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gupster
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Re: Bots Zim Zam

Post by gupster »

Hi Kagiso and Grant. I have a few threads given to me from Mike on SA4x4community, thanks to Peter Connan, that have a lot of information on this border crossing and many others which I am sure Grant, you will find informative for you planned trip, as I have. They seem to say that returning from Zim into Bots is easy going through Pandamatenga, but then we all know that Africa changes daily so thanks Kagiso for an update.

Mana threads
http://4x4community.co.za/forum/showthr ... Mana+Pools
http://4x4community.co.za/forum/showthread.php?t=160240
http://4x4community.co.za/forum/showthread.php?t=196652
http://4x4community.co.za/forum/showthread.php?t=190764
http://4x4community.co.za/forum/showthread.php?t=190373
http://4x4community.co.za/forum/showthread.php?t=188608
http://4x4community.co.za/forum/showthread.php?t=150106
http://4x4community.co.za/forum/showthread.php?t=157709
http://4x4community.co.za/forum/showthr ... ght=Hwange
Hwange Threads
http://4x4community.co.za/forum/showthread.php?t=196622
http://4x4community.co.za/forum/showthread.php?t=194220
http://4x4community.co.za/forum/showthread.php?t=108503
http://4x4community.co.za/forum/showthr ... ght=Hwange
http://4x4community.co.za/forum/showthr ... ght=Hwange
http://4x4community.co.za/forum/showthr ... ght=Hwange
http://4x4community.co.za/forum/showthr ... ght=Hwange
Enjoy the home work
Cheers for Now
MikevR

I just hope I am not breaching any protocols by posting this, but its valuable info for any proposed trip.

I had to cut and paste each thread to be able to access them, but am sure you guys know a easier way.

And just a compliment from him, he said you cant go wrong with a Nissan Patrol
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