As my birthday present OOOODS suggested we go away…    …which sounded just like a fab idea 

Initially we planned to go to South Luanga (Zam) however time would not be on our side as we only had 9 days of holiday.

So we decided to visit Hwange National Park in Zimbabwe.

Frans (Hou da nou daar) and his wife, Denise (from Groblesdal) have been very keen and decided to join us. (x4 kids – 2, 8, 10, 12y)

Frans towed an off-road trailer and myself, wife and x2 daughters (6, 14y) went with my DC with x2 roof tops.

So we chatted one Sunday afternoon and quickly finalized the food arrangements and general stuff….

The plan was to avoid Beitbridge (for obvious reasons….  ) and travel through Botswana via Zanzibar border post
Francistown
Nata
Hunters road
Pandamatenga border (into Zimbabwe)
Vic Falls
Hwange National Park
Bulawayo
Plumtree border (back into Botswana)
Francistown
Zanzibar back to ZA

Total km’s 3006km (Jhb – Jhb)

We left on 02/10 Sunday at 02h00 as Zanzibar border post only opens at 08h00 and would meet Frans and his family at 05H00 in Pietersburg (Polokwane). From there we would travel together and reach Zanzibar by approx. 07h30. The last 16km to the border is pretty badly corrugated gravel road.

The girls were nice and comfortable in the back after a nice morning sleep 

Zanzibar border crossing has two low water bridges and is not always open, depending on the level of the river. However we had no problem at all. Upon our arrival at 07h45 there was only one vehicle and took us about 45mins to complete both sides. No problems!

Water crossing in ‘no man’s land’ 

Botswana side: Please note, take Botswana Pula to pay for your road tax (TIP) if you are planning to exit the country and re enter, ask for a re-entry pass. It is cheaper!!! Cost around 160 Pula for a vehicle.

Just outside the border post is a lodge called Oasis and next time we will sleep over there for sure  Starting a trip at 02h00 in the morning is for da young ones….. 

From the border we drove to a nice picnic spot +-50km (boabab tree) and had some well deserved breakkie 

Back on the road again….towards Selebi-Phikwe

At Serule we encountered our first vet check point, but no problems at all 

Heading towards Francistown, there was another vet check point, however they just wayved us through. We filled up with Diesel and where the ladies popped into the Spar.

Once again it is much easier paying in Pula   

Frans, Frans, Frans……   

The road was very busy to Nata as the locals celebrated some National holiday….

We headed off for Nata, where we would stay overnight and rest at Elephant Sands lodge approx. 50km North of Nata:

We found a nice campsite and decided as there was a pool, pub and restaurant and animal drinking hole we would relax here for two nights 

The camp site was was not spectacular imo, but we had some ellies visiting us that night about 5m from out vehicles….while we were fast asleep………..  

Some more pics of Elephant Sands campsite, pool & lodge: Camping US$10.00 kids US$ 5.00

At around 18h00 some ellies came for a drink 

Campsite:

Girls helping with the salada

Heinie in a bit of a situation……   

That evening the rangers found a dead leapard 30m from the water hole. Apparently it was hit by a passing vehicle……sad sight 

There were quite a few ‘international’ visitors in the campsite, however they were quiet and not a problem at all 

The next day we just lazed around the pool and had some cold one’s 

That evening a few more visitors and this time right in the campsite 

The kids found this quite facinating and plenty of other visitors 

We took the turn-off to Hunters road and really an amazing drive  There are some side roads withe really very thick sand  Downside is it took us almost all day to complete 180km, as the going was slow but well worth it There were plenty of ellie droppings however we only managed to see a few of em 

The bush was dry and in need of good rains 

Eventually we arrived at Pandamatenga border post, but the troops were hungry so we stopped of for some toasted sarmies 

There was also no fuel available (near Pandamatenga), not even at the truck stop however we were OK  As we could get fuel in Zim. So after our expensive toasteds we headed for the Zim border.

Small but neat border post with ‘time’ not really being a factor…….

From the border a gravel road about 65km which lead us to the turn off to Vic Falls

Here we saw lots of animals as well as herd of buffalo 

The roads in Zimbabwe were very good condition and off we headed to Vic Falls ‘The Smoke that Thunders’

From the gate to the falls not far you first see Livingstone 

The falls – once again spectacular   

Then the stiff walk back to the campsite….

Just before the campsite, there is a Pizza and Ice-creap parlour….we had to stop   and decided to have lunch at the pool before leaving for Hwange 

Before leaving for Hwange, Frans had to add diesel to his KZ……outch Diesel in Zim was R13.60 p/l……  Anyway, what can you do….zilch!   So off we headed South towards Hwange and…..outa the bush jumped a uniformed man flagging me down me to stop…’Eish officer was I speeding’

  ‘Yes Sir, I hope I am not going to spoil your holiday’ he replied in a very friendly manner  US$ 20.00 fine, so I gave him (them x3) a tip for cooldrinks and we parted as friends.

He kindly advised that there was another trap 70km from there…nice guy really 

10km’s further….a toll gate US$ 1. But we were well stocked 

Kids enjoyed the ride…really   

Brick factory along the road

So off we headed to Sinamantella Camp (there are two Main camp sites, the other being Hwange Main camp….  ). Upon our arrival at the gate, I saw old original buildings as they were in the 70’s. Seems everything has been left as it was before 30 years ago and time has rather stood still. We paid and were directed to the campsite….wich was rather barren, no grass, just soil and no trees with broken down braai area’s.
A friendly worker offered to bring us wood with a smile.The view however was very nice, on top of a small mountain and one can see for miles 

As it was getting rather late in the afternoon we decided to head for the nearest water hole! Approx. 15km from camp.

Upon our arrival we raised our eyebrows as this was far better deal than Sinamantella Camp. It is a pvt. campsite and you have to pre book. However there were no other campers in sight.

A friendly ranger (William) came to us and asked us if we were the guests staying over? Nope but we could certainly be….. 

So he radioed the Main office and they said that if the ‘booked people’ were not there by 18H00 we could camp there but would have to pay in the difference as the pvt camp sites were more expensive.

It was a no brainer and Frans quickly drove back to the office and settled 

What a beautiful setting right in front of a large dam, with plenty of hippo’s, crocs and fish eagle to put the cherry on the cake so to speak 

So within minutes we had a nice fire going 

Hwanke 2011 200 (Small).JPG [ 62.05 KiB | Viewed 674 times ]

The tents were up in a flash!

We spotted a number of huge crocks lying on the banks of the dam.

CHECK OUT THIS ONE    Those little ones in the water are hippo’s…I would be afraid….. 

Best camping bush food ever This time we took along a large foil dish, easier to dispose of 

Heat up the oil, under a roaring flame until piping hot (this takes some time….!)

Throw, the chips into the oil…carefull and stand back, as the oil falls into the fire and walla 

Repeat at least twice a week…   

So after a lovely breakkie the next morning,

ranger William asked us if we would like to take a walk around the dam…..hmm, me thought, oh well why not, so off we went. The kids really enjoyed this  ….me well no fine….I was watching ranger William, as his eye’s were in the bush, looking for lions and thirsty buffalo…. 

Heinie just loving it….. 

We stopped for some snacks 

Where we felt safe 

Until we found these…..    Mamma’s eggs, a few metre’s away… 

So we left quietly………..!

Was an awsome walk getting close to the hippos’s and crocks  Tx to ranger William who allowed it 

.

There is plenty of birdlife around so a definate must for birders  

And the cutest birds…..   

After the 3 hour walk aroound the dam…..afternoon laze around watching the wildlife around the water 

The next morning we headed for main camp, and heard over Wilson’s radio that a pride of lion had pulled down an elephant at an onroute water hole. So we headed in that direction, asap.Girls loaded!

When we arrived at there were x3 huge males lying around, protecting the remains…..I have not seen huge lion’s like this in a long time…..   The valtures were hanging around as well as a jackal, waiting for the big boys to leave, but they remained….. 

There were about x8 hippos in the water I could see,

and within 30 mins it was like happy hour  Ellies came in from all over the place, from all directions for their afternoon drink  

What an awsome sight    Later a heard of buffalo and some giraffe also pulled in 

eading towards Main camp the road was fair to very poor, with some bad pot holes in places….the tipe where it is better driving on the side of the road…. We encountered a number of ellies and my imperssion was they were very skittish. Obviously ‘man’ afraid due to poaching and so on   

Some huge bulls roaming around….

We arrived at the Main gate, paid at the office 

Still all as it was 30 years ago…. 

There is a basic restaurant. shop with some goodies and a poorly / expensive curio shop. (very basic)
 But importantly, a variety of beer 

The campsite was empty at our arrival but another x4 vehicles arrived later that afternoon / evening. Nice shady trees with lots of ablution blocks. The cleanest abutions I have ever come across   

Lots of these okes wandering about, so pack away food stuffs….

I would certainly not hesitate camping here again 

The gals doing the dishes….. everyone has a job…very important 

Mine supervising…   

]

That afternoon we came across a herd of +50 ellies at this drinking hole. What an awsome sight  Babies, males and bossy females   

Some playing in the mud:

Daughter had the best view….. 

All good days have good endings 

Supper alla Denise….pasta and mince…not my all time high, but something different and very tasty 

………..anyway………the kids seemed to enjoy it 

These are only for show…..there is no fuel available in the park.
There is however a small town 10km away, who can supply, called Dett. When we got there, we were told the owner with the key was at the police station, as he had not renewed his ‘fuel’ liscence, so we went to the station, found him and he gladly topped up the KZ (once again….)

The next morning we headed for Bulawayo (280km) form Hwange Main and came across these funny signs….WTH is a painted dog???

Low and behold….my daughter spotted the Painted Dogs ….   

Amazing 

Then off to Bulawayo around 270km….with 2 or so more US$ 1.00 toll gates, but the road was good 

I was really looking forward to Bulawayo, and was reaaly amazed how clean everything was 

Sorry petrolheads……. 

Really a pretty town, even today 

Some more of B 

From there we headed for Plumtree border post back into Bots, to avoid BBridge…….

Once throuh the border we headed for Francistown, where we would overnight.

We opted for Woodlands…nice place! But the unfriendliest staff ever…well that’s another story….never again 

Nice camp area, ablutions and pool 

 The next morning a quick cuppa and hit the road….

Through a couple of vet points, no problem 
Only in a Toyota!!!

Some boababs, along the road towards Zanzibar border post 

Once through the Bots border post we stopped halfway in no mans land for breakkie 

Almost done….

All of us 

The long road home…..

Some tips and hints to follow 

The end   

Tips:- Two way radio’s with two or more vehicles are not an option…..a must 
– Use currency of the country   
– Be friendly and patient, especially at border and vet check points ie. let your wife do the talking… 😳 
– Make sure you have warm clothing, it can get cold in the evenings
– Take spare slops / shoes along
– Take 2/3 camera’s along, you may miss something
– Ensure all fridges, connections are tested before the trip. At least 4 weeks in advance.
– Keep to the speed limit at all times
– Have a comprehensive medical bag…very handy!
– Take a few nuts, boltz & washers along, they come in handy
– Don’t go looking for relrctive tape the day before you leave….AA has for between R10 – R20 p/m 
– Up-to-date GPS, makes looking for campsites, filling stations, shops easy!!!
– Paper map, the kids understand it better