There is now a barge to ferry vehicles across the river. Rough and ready, but effective
EDIT - pics as promised:
Yes, the pont is listing dangerously to Starboard. What you don't see in the pic is that my right wheel is hard against the railing - the vehicle slid after loading
Here is what I posted:
"There is another option available now for crossing the Limpopo at mapai - some enterprising locals have built a barge. Takes one vehicle at a time and is a bit wobbly !!! We only had about 15cm space on each side. They probably won't take a RR ever again after mine - at one stage I really thought we were tipping over ! But thanks to the local muscle all turned out fine.
My friend in a prado and I crossed there yesterday. Costs R500 which is hectic, but seeing as the river was about 1.2m deep and flowing strongly we decided to take the barge. (both vehicles standard so 700mm max)
I will post some pics when I get back next year, but just had to let you all know in case others are looking for a way from Pafuri to Inhambane
Route info- after crossing we went thru Machaila, Mobote etc. up to machaila the road is very slow going- 20kmh average, but after Mobote you can do 60-70 till the tar road.
We left Pafuri at 8 am and arrived at Guinjata about 6am this morning. Including 2 hours for the barge crossing (don't ask why i got stuck in the sand) and 90minutes sleep..."
Last edited by Baben on 8th Jan 2011 6:49 pm. Edited 1 time in total
We left Pafuri at 8 am and arrived at Guinjata about 6am this morning. Including 2 hours for the barge crossing (don't ask why i got stuck in the sand) and 90minutes sleep..."
Could it be the 20" wheels?
23rd Dec 2010 4:16 pm
Baben
Member Since: 15 Feb 2006
Location: Kyalami
Posts: 2059
No, it was the river sand, lazy driver not deflating tyres, and lack of talent
Got 19" with MTR's on at the moment. Good tyres so far
24th Dec 2010 7:54 pm
Kabous
Member Since: 11 Jul 2007
Location: Mokopane
Posts: 233
So how about a report on the 19 MT/R's baben, we need something for the Disco4's!White MY2011 SDV6 HSE
7th Jan 2011 6:26 am
Baben
Member Since: 15 Feb 2006
Location: Kyalami
Posts: 2059
In my opinion, the MTR's are very good. They work well on sand, but you have to deflate properly, because you have only 55 profile to work with, not 65 as my STT's were. Thru mud they worked very well. Over rocks I had no worries. No punctures or any other issues. They are just as noisy as the STT's.
The trip was roughly 3500km, average speed 60km/h (bear in mind this includes about 900km of 120km/h freeway inside SA) average fuel consumption 19.1 l/100km
I saved a trip log of the route if anyone wants it. It makes interesting reading between Mapai and Mabote because for hours at a time we were averaging 20km/h
Oh, and I did need the jerrycans. Could have made do with just 2 though. I was quite surprised at how good the fuel consumption was at very low speeds. I expected 25l/100km or worse, and this is what I based my fuel requirements on. It turned out that there is little difference whether I was doing 20 or 70, and the best fuel economy is at about 100.
Oh, and the road between Maxixe and Xai Xai is indeed all tarred now. One section of about 10km is single lane, but no more gravel, and the drainage looks well done in my layman's opinion, so it will hopefully last well.
8th Jan 2011 7:00 pm
Gareth Site Moderator
Member Since: 07 Dec 2004
Location: Bramhall
Posts: 26767
Fabulous pictures
9th Jan 2011 8:37 am
noelyg
Member Since: 09 Nov 2010
Location: wetherby north yorkshire
Posts: 48
Baben...
The picks look ace, a real adventure by the sounds of things..
not sure about the ferry crossing though, but as you said: it worked! 
9th Jan 2011 9:07 am
Baben
Member Since: 15 Feb 2006
Location: Kyalami
Posts: 2059
It could have ended in tears, but then it was deemed the less risky option when compared to driving thru water that we knew to be deeper than the vehicle specification would allow for. In my D3 I probably would have driven the river. My wife still thinks I am a pussy for taking the Pont
But then she doesn't have to fix the car when it drowns.....
9th Jan 2011 4:19 pm
crocher
Member Since: 29 Oct 2010
Location: Centurion
Posts: 94
Hi baben
Yes I also crossed with that ferry, well in my opinion a canoe. I was there in December. We also left Pafuri at 6am, while already driving for 2 hours from Louis Trichard, we were on our way to Bilene in the south of Mozam, we got there at 8 that evening.
I recognise some of the people that are on your photo, they helped me as well.
At first I was scared to go onto this barge thing. But that home made brigde that was there was about a meter under water and I was not prepared to over that.
The barge operators ripped me off and I had to pay R700 for that crossing.
I must say I have never stressed like that in my life before.
Cheers
Craig2005 Discovery 3 V8 SE
BFG All Terrains
SERIOUSLY upgraded the interior boot lighting
Double flush done
3rd Feb 2011 1:25 pm
Baben
Member Since: 15 Feb 2006
Location: Kyalami
Posts: 2059
Craig, good to hear I am not the only nutter here
What route did you take to bilene? Did you head south after machaila?
4th Feb 2011 3:21 am
crocher
Member Since: 29 Oct 2010
Location: Centurion
Posts: 94
Yes, when I eventually crossed I thought to myself I was nuts.
I We went straight down to Macia, along the gravel road, after we turned left at Mapai, can remember the exact towns and so on.
I was an excellent experience once it was over.2005 Discovery 3 V8 SE
BFG All Terrains
SERIOUSLY upgraded the interior boot lighting
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4th Feb 2011 10:47 am
Baben
Member Since: 15 Feb 2006
Location: Kyalami
Posts: 2059
Ok so you went the easy way
this is the route we took:
to be honest it was a gamble, and the biggest unknown was not the river crossing, it was the state of the roads over that route. Even on track4africa they are noted as "offroad" or "tweespoor" - as it turns out, this is a fantastic route thru the top of Banhine National park - the scenery is astounding - fever tree and baobab forests that stretch on for 20 km etc.
I see that one of our local tour operators is offering this route now, with a night stop along the way, which is a good thing. in one stretch this is crazy, and you don't have time to "smell the roses"
No wildlife to speak of, on the whole trip we saw one antelope, something like a cerval, mozambican nightjars and lots of owls - this after being in Kryger for a week where the elephants crowded the place. Someone needs to set a few hundred elephants free in this paradise, hopefully the locals wont eat them
5th Feb 2011 4:46 am
crocher
Member Since: 29 Oct 2010
Location: Centurion
Posts: 94
Hi Baben
No I did not go the easy route, I went straight down with that road from Mapai, it was very bad and sandy. My map inicated that route as a thick red line, so I thought that it would be tar road, but no it was not, it was very bad.2005 Discovery 3 V8 SE
BFG All Terrains
SERIOUSLY upgraded the interior boot lighting
Double flush done
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