Deondef
Member Since: 08 May 2007
Location: Randburg
Posts: 790
  
|
Now that my blood pressure has returned to normal (I think) herewith short trip report :
First leg from JHB to Nata Lodge :
average fuel consumption 10,5 l/100km - with roofrack, taking it very steady I am still from old school that reckons a new engine must be run in. Border crossing at Groblersbrug uneventful on both sides - through in 15 minutes.
Nata lodge chalets overpriced imho - first visit to Nata sactuary - awesome sunset - not too many birds.
second leg from Nata Lodge to Jungle junction :
Plain sailing on Bots side of Kazangulu border - drove straight onto ferry. On Zambia side different story - after R2000 and hour and half on our way to JJ. Jungle Junction very unique setting on an island having aeveryone and all your gear transported by Mokorro over the zambesi.
Viewed Vic Falls for the first time and was lucky to experience full moon rainbow as it was the second day after full moon and the parks remain open untill 14h00
Saw elephants, giraffe and buck in the small stretch through the game park just before Livingstone
Stayed last two nights at Bushfront lodge - another rip-off with not enough warm water for two people (maybe enough if one share the shower !)
Evening supper at Mama Masogo (spell?) in Livingstone - great experience - mopani worms and all, prices high, but includes live entertainment.
Return leg from Livingstone to Limpopo Lodge:
Due to Nata Lodge being fully booked, booked at Limpopo Lodge on the border of Bots/SA which means a looong stretch, but D3 is now run in and will push it a bit . 
Problems with payment at Bushfront lodge and delay at Zambia side of Kazangulu - only left border at 11h00.
Average fuel consumption - 12,8 L/100km until problems start +- 50 km from Francistown. Do not make Limpopo Lodge - forfeits R750-00 deposit and forks out R2000-00 for crummy hotel acommodation for 5.
Smooth sailing through Groblersbrug border post and average 100km/h to Potgietersrus where LR dealer cannot rectify problem.
Arrive JHB 18h00 - unfortunately too late to dump D3 in Sandton LR's yard.
All in all very nice trip - discounting the D3 problem, but very expensive - will do camping next time as accommodation is a rip-off.
On the LR front - excellent response from LR Gaberones - service manager Ralf ? Enthusiastic approach from LR Potgietersrus - but could unfortunately not replace filter, Sandton LR (hopefully) sorting things out - and wait for it :
STILL WAITNG FOR LAND ROVER ASSIST TO RETURN MY 6 CALLS MADE TO THEM BETWEEN THURSDAY AFTERNOON AND FRIDAY MORNING 
|
 13th Jul 2007 7:06 am |
|
|
coala
Member Since: 06 Jul 2007
Location: Pretoria
Posts: 36
|
Sounds like an awesome trip. You should post some pics on your gallery. It might be a good idea to start posting a separately on accommodation and where to stay – from a personal account perspective. A lot of what is out there is a rip off. I have adopted the one night in the bush – one night in a lodge strategy (to please the missus) – otherwise I would stay in the velt the whole time. Camping can be really a rewarding experience – but if you hit the wrong spot – it’s a nightmare.
|
| 13th Jul 2007 8:10 am |
|
|
TiaanS
Member Since: 25 May 2007
Location: Pretoria
Posts: 200
|
Doen, thanks for the trip report, always help to get the spirit up reading someone’s trip report just before you go. We plan to go up beginning of August and after reading your trip report can’t wait, also doing Bots and southern Zambia. One questions: you mentioned that you had problems on the Zambian side of the Kasangulu border – any specific reason or just African attitude?
|
| 13th Jul 2007 8:18 am |
|
|
TiaanS
Member Since: 25 May 2007
Location: Pretoria
Posts: 200
|
Sorry Deon….
|
| 13th Jul 2007 8:20 am |
|
|
Deondef
Member Since: 08 May 2007
Location: Randburg
Posts: 790
|
Purely Africa NAFI attitude.
We made use of the so-called "agents" who will approach you on the Bots side when you come out of the customs/migration building. Their fees are R10 per agent and in our case there were 3 of them - I will recommend their services as they split up and do the queueing simultaniously. Just make sure that they have your details correct - my vehicles registration number was different on 3 different docs ! Imagine what happens if you encounter a wake-up (  police officer at a road block and he notices this.
The only fees payable on your return is the ferry - so do not fall for any other so-called exit fees.
Also conclude the agents fees upfront and make sure you check their exchange rates when paying with usdollars, pulas, rands or kwacha's - they accept any of these but not Zim dollars (wonder why ?)
|
| 13th Jul 2007 8:29 am |
|
|
Deondef
Member Since: 08 May 2007
Location: Randburg
Posts: 790
|
Must add - there was only one ferry in operation with our return - another delay.
And there is nothing you or the agents can do if the "officials" decide to have a tea/lunch break - this can happen anytime from 09h00 to 11h00 and 15h00 to 16h00 for half hour or 12h00 to 14h00 for an hour at which time NOTHING HAPPENS and best is to dig into some padkos and ice cold Mossi, St Louis or Castle
|
| 13th Jul 2007 8:38 am |
|
|
