Vic falls trip
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CobvsCo
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Vic falls trip
Sort of late start but planning to go see the Vic Falls in June July school holidays with the family. Want to enter from Botswana side thus plan is to travel up on east side of Botswana to border post with Zimbabwe. Just wanna know if anyone have done this sort of trip and what is good places to visit in north east Botswana. Also camping places to stay on the way up, and there about. Is it safe to travel alone? Botswana I know is relatively safe to travel and stay for most parts don't know about Zim currently?
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TomPajTo
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Re: Vic falls trip
Went up Dec 2010 - stayed at Elephant Sands just north of Nata, went into Zim at Kasane.
Also went in July 2009 - stayed in Pandamatenga (Touch of Africa Lodge) - went into Zim at Pandamatenga border post - much more rustig with an interesting road/track from there to the main Vic Falls Road.
A favourite stop is also Nata lodge - now rebuilt after the fire a few years back.
The route is safe - still rebuilding the Nata/Kasane road but it's very driveable. Just slow down at villages as the Cops are very active, and have lots of patience - veterinary stops, police roadblocks etc.
Cheers
Tom
Also went in July 2009 - stayed in Pandamatenga (Touch of Africa Lodge) - went into Zim at Pandamatenga border post - much more rustig with an interesting road/track from there to the main Vic Falls Road.
A favourite stop is also Nata lodge - now rebuilt after the fire a few years back.
The route is safe - still rebuilding the Nata/Kasane road but it's very driveable. Just slow down at villages as the Cops are very active, and have lots of patience - veterinary stops, police roadblocks etc.
Cheers
Tom
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DavidvanDa
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Re: Vic falls trip
Hi,
If oing the Kasane route, would recommend staying over at Chobe Safari Lodge in Kasane, got an amazing camp site setup, just a few km's from the Bot/Zim/Zam border posts. Doing a sunset boat ride on the Chobe is a big highlight for this side of Bots. Also good for tiger fishing, and game viewing is excellent.
Depending on your start point, there is a good clean accomodation at Kwanokeng, which is just across the border into Botswana. Border closes at 22h00. Gives you a ood start in the morning. Try avoid driving at night in Botswana, there are lots of Donkeys next to the road. Road from Kasane to Vic Falls is great (we used it last a few years back though +- 2009).
Here are some links:
http://www.kwanokeng.com/
http://www.chobesafarilodge.com/
I don't see an issue driving this route solo, would do it myself as well without any worries.
There is also the hunters road, which is a few km just off the main route, haven't done this route, just heard about it.
We drove 1 shot from Kasane to PTA on our return - 18 hours, won't do that again, Nata is a good place to stop as well.
Cheers
David
If oing the Kasane route, would recommend staying over at Chobe Safari Lodge in Kasane, got an amazing camp site setup, just a few km's from the Bot/Zim/Zam border posts. Doing a sunset boat ride on the Chobe is a big highlight for this side of Bots. Also good for tiger fishing, and game viewing is excellent.
Depending on your start point, there is a good clean accomodation at Kwanokeng, which is just across the border into Botswana. Border closes at 22h00. Gives you a ood start in the morning. Try avoid driving at night in Botswana, there are lots of Donkeys next to the road. Road from Kasane to Vic Falls is great (we used it last a few years back though +- 2009).
Here are some links:
http://www.kwanokeng.com/
http://www.chobesafarilodge.com/
I don't see an issue driving this route solo, would do it myself as well without any worries.
There is also the hunters road, which is a few km just off the main route, haven't done this route, just heard about it.
We drove 1 shot from Kasane to PTA on our return - 18 hours, won't do that again, Nata is a good place to stop as well.
Cheers
David
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Jannybee
- Country: South Africa
- Vehicle: 2000 3.0 SWB Pajero (blister fender)
- Location: Johannesburg
Post
Re: Vic falls trip
In 2010 I did this section as part of a totally solo trip (the officials at Zim border post at Kazangula couldn't believe a girl from SA was travelling on her own 
- I was in my SWB Paj too)
Visited Khama Rhino Sanctuary and then Elephant Sands (camping at both). Got a BWP300 speeding fine at Pandamatenga (5km long 60km-zone and I was doing 70 towards the end of it
) About 7km before Kazangula/Kasane on this road is a gorgeous spot called Senyati Lodge which had loads of ellies - lovely! Nice place to stay but with access to the bustle of Kasane and you can still go to any of the places offering sunset cruises and the other activities.
I endorse Davidvan's caution 200% - no night driving!!! Donkeys and plenty of cattle. Frankly it is simply too dangerous to even try.
Enjoy your trip!!
PS great pizzas at the Old House in Kasane - watch out for ellies and buffalo on the roads at night in Kasane area if you're driving home from dinner
- I was in my SWB Paj too)Visited Khama Rhino Sanctuary and then Elephant Sands (camping at both). Got a BWP300 speeding fine at Pandamatenga (5km long 60km-zone and I was doing 70 towards the end of it
) About 7km before Kazangula/Kasane on this road is a gorgeous spot called Senyati Lodge which had loads of ellies - lovely! Nice place to stay but with access to the bustle of Kasane and you can still go to any of the places offering sunset cruises and the other activities.I endorse Davidvan's caution 200% - no night driving!!! Donkeys and plenty of cattle. Frankly it is simply too dangerous to even try.
Enjoy your trip!!
PS great pizzas at the Old House in Kasane - watch out for ellies and buffalo on the roads at night in Kasane area if you're driving home from dinner
The journey is the destination
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DavidvanDa
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Re: Vic falls trip
Hi Cobvs,
I started a new thread for cross border travels based on some of my experiences which have a few tips and tricks, JannyBee, looks like you have a few you can add here too, please help to get as much of this together will be very handy for all of us. The Botswana guys are not shy to charge for speeding so stick to the speed limit, will save you alot of time and money in the end. I got 700 Pula at Kang for doing 78 in a 60 zone, lucky for me the ATM was faulty so had to "make a plan" with the occifer
Check this link out, and hope it assists with some planning:
https://www.pajeroclub.co.za/forum/view ... =56&t=3965
I started a new thread for cross border travels based on some of my experiences which have a few tips and tricks, JannyBee, looks like you have a few you can add here too, please help to get as much of this together will be very handy for all of us. The Botswana guys are not shy to charge for speeding so stick to the speed limit, will save you alot of time and money in the end. I got 700 Pula at Kang for doing 78 in a 60 zone, lucky for me the ATM was faulty so had to "make a plan" with the occifer
Check this link out, and hope it assists with some planning:
https://www.pajeroclub.co.za/forum/view ... =56&t=3965
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CobvsCo
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Re: Vic falls trip
Thank you Tom, David and Jannybee. Appreciate the info. Specially about the in between stops. Sure one will get camp spots in Kasane or Vic Falls to stay though with school holidays it might be busy. Chobe and Kwanokeng looks great. Is it worth staying in Vic Falls area for a couple of days? Do you need visas for Zim or Zambia? Pandamatenga also looks like i nice detour to take.
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DavidvanDa
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Re: Vic falls trip
Hi Cobvs,
I would suggest a few days at Kasane (for game viewing and fishing if that is your thing), and a few days at Vic falls (if you into white water rafting and bungee jumping, etc) the white water rafting is highly recommended, but is pretty tough and very rough, that is where you learn respect for water.... very quickly
.
I saw a nice camp spot in the SA4x4 mag (current issue) on the Zam side, which looked quite nice - never been there though.
Cheers
David
I would suggest a few days at Kasane (for game viewing and fishing if that is your thing), and a few days at Vic falls (if you into white water rafting and bungee jumping, etc) the white water rafting is highly recommended, but is pretty tough and very rough, that is where you learn respect for water.... very quickly
.I saw a nice camp spot in the SA4x4 mag (current issue) on the Zam side, which looked quite nice - never been there though.
Cheers
David
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CobvsCo
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Re: Vic falls trip
Thanks David. Where is the first available petrol stop in Botswana after entering or overnighting at Kwa Nokeng?
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DavidvanDa
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Re: Vic falls trip
Hi,
The petrol station is right there as you turn into Kwa Nokeng Lodge, this is around 500m from the border into Botswana on the Bots side, this is a good place to fill up, exchange for Pula (if you need more), and if I remember correctly they did take fuel cards here (not too sure though, was a while +- 3 years ago last). Kwa Nokeng lodge is run by the same guys as the garage, and is on the Limpopo river around 1km down the river and is on the river front, nice spot.
Cheers
David
The petrol station is right there as you turn into Kwa Nokeng Lodge, this is around 500m from the border into Botswana on the Bots side, this is a good place to fill up, exchange for Pula (if you need more), and if I remember correctly they did take fuel cards here (not too sure though, was a while +- 3 years ago last). Kwa Nokeng lodge is run by the same guys as the garage, and is on the Limpopo river around 1km down the river and is on the river front, nice spot.
Cheers
David
