VIC FALLS 24 April - 2 May 2010 - Postponed!

EXPECTED COSTS

CHALET ACCOMMODATION

1. Single Person = R 12,653.46 all inclusive
2. Couple = R 18,131.87 all inclusive

Foreign Currency
1. Single: BWP 6,585.91 $596.89
2. Couple: BWP 8,513.91 $962.89
Everything paid in advance can be deducted from the foreign currencies above, i.e. accommodation

CAMPING ACCOMMODATION
1. Single Person = R 9,790.09 all inclusive
2. Couple = R 14,701.20 all inclusive

Foreign Currencies:
1. Single: BWP 4,315.91 $558.89
2. Couple: BWP 6,080.91 $921.89
Everything paid in advance can be deducted from the foreign currencies above, i.e. accommodation



There are three posts that I will be updating at the start of this topic, so you will never have to read through all the pages in order to get the latest details on the Trip Plan:

1. Trip Planner - Here I will post and update the map, the places to stay and general trip-related information

2. Trip Preparation Planner - Here I will update you with all the information you need in order to make the ride a comfortable and safe one

3. The Team. Here I will update the names of all of those who will be joining the group. Please make sure your name is on this list by adding your name to the thread.

4. Rules of the game:
- Take with a set of spare keys
- Copy of your credit cards with the number to call for cancellation on the back
- Take only 1 credit card that will be valid for that country
- Boil the water and then filter it
- Do not eat fresh fruit unless you yourself peeled it

5. Money Issues
- Do not rely on credit cards for petrol (Victoriafalls-guide.net). In Zimbabwe petrol can be up to $1.5 per gallon.
- Order Pula and Dollar 1 week prior to departure. The border staff conversions are not reliable.
- Pay for your accommodation and other items beforehand if you can
- Withdrawing money from the ATM in Vic Falls will cost you $2 oper transaction
- Have 2 purses - Hide one away and the other with the cash you will need for that day

6. Medication
- There is malaria at Vic Falls. Make the necessary arrangements beforehand

7. General Information

ZIMBABWE
The most practical items to pack are: remembering that Zimbabwe is a warm destination
» Light cotton tops and cotton trousers/shorts in summer, hat/ cap and light shoes
» Long-sleeved blouses/shirts for game drives/ boat cruises, which will protect you from mosquitoes and the sun
» Safari trousers, jeans or casual pants for evenings and cooler days. A fleece or sweater is required for those cool winter evening and mornings
» A hat, sunglasses and sunscreen (a tanning lotion and a high factor sunscreen for your face, neck, feet and hands
» Sandals, open shoes
» Comfortable walking shoes, sandals for when swimming in the Victoria Falls
» Batteries / charger and memory cards for your camera


ZAMBIA
Health
- Zambia health facilities are not up to western standards, although as a major tourist destination the cities are more developed than rural areas.
- It is best to take out comprehensive travel insurance and to pack a basic first aid box containing essentials such as malaria medication, vitamins, headache pills, nausea pills, diarrhea pills, bandages and anti-septic creams.

Vaccinations
Zambia inoculations include the following:
- Hepatitis A & B
- Typhoid
- Polio
- Rabies
- Measles, mumps, rubella (MMR)
- Tetanus-diphtheria


BOTSWANA
Illness in Botswana
- Generally the biggest health threats in the country are malaria and AIDS; however some travellers may get colds or flu from the dust and dry weather conditions.
- Asthmatic’s should take precautions and bring asthma pumps.

Food and Water in Botswana
- In larger cities and town water is clean and safe to drink, and there are a number of restaurants and supermarkets selling a range of African and western cuisine.
- Be careful where you eat however, and avoid food that has been left standing.
- Outside of the cities water may not be safe to drink, so stock up on bottled water.

- All travelers should have shots for hepatitis A and B as well as typhoid.
- Yellow fever inoculations for travelers over 1 year of age are essential to enter the country, and a vaccination certificate is often requested when entering the country.

- Rabies shots are essential for travelers who will be traveling to areas rich in wildlife, especially if they will be exposed to bats or dogs.

- Two measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) shots are recommended for travelers born after 1956, who have not already had their MMR shots as children.
- A tetanus-diphtheria revaccination is also recommended every 10 years. Tetanus or ‘lockjaw’ is a nasty illness which is usually gotten from dirty or rusty metal or similar, and is a good shot to have for adventurists who may be injured in the outdoors.

Travellers should visit their doctor about 4-8 weeks before leaving for Botswana, and it is a good idea to find a doctor who specialises in travel medication and ailments.

What To Pack
What to pack for Botswana safaris:
- Lightweight, loose clothing with long sleeves to keep out mosquitoes
- Comfortable walking shoes as well as sandals
- Swimming costume and towel
- Camera and binoculars, plus spare batteries and film or memory card • Warm jacket for winter months
- Hat, sunglasses and sunscreen

What To Buy
- Malaria medication and vitamins
- Insect repellent

TRIP PLANNER

OVERALL ROUTE OVERVIEW


Day_______From_____________To__________Distance_______Total
23/4____Pretoria__________Mokopane_________221__________221
24/4____Mokopane________Francistown_______466__________687
25/4____Francistown______Leshoma__________478_________1165
26/4____Rest
27/4____Leshoma_________Victoria Falls______87.6_________1252.6
29/4____Victoria Falls______Leshoma _________87.6________1340
30/4____Leshoma_________Francistown______478__________1818
1/5____Francistown_______Mokopane________466__________2284
2/5____Mokopane_________Pretoria__________222_________2506

As you can see there is no longer a return trip via Zimbabwe. We were advised not to try this route.
The idea is to combine the S's and GS's as there is enough playground for all en route.

THE ROUTE AND PROGRAM

Friday 23 April 09:00 for 09:30

TRIP: BMW Autobavaria (Centurion) to Mokopane (Potgietersrus) - 221 km


LODGING: Oasis Lodge
Tel: +270 15 491 4124
● R500 per room
● R85 breakfast


2. Saturday 24 April: 07h30 for 08h00.


TRIP: Mokopane via Border Post to Francistown - 466 km[img]

BORDER REQUIREMENTS
Visa Requirements:

• SA: None
  Other: http://www.botswanatourism.co.bw/getting_in/visas.html @R30

OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

• http://www.botswanatourism.co.bw/getting_in/entry_requirements.html

LODGING: Tati River Lodge
E-mail: res@trl.co.bw
Tel: +267 2406000
Contact: Bosele Kukumara
Web: http://www.namibweb.com/tatiriverlodge.htm
Cost: Executive Double B&B P706
Buffet Dinner With a drink P113

25 April 08:30

TRIP: Francistown to Leshoma - 478km.


LODGING: Leshoma Valley (2 nights)
● E-Mail: lesomavalley@brobemail.co.bw
Accommodation - 20 People
● 4 x double chalet at P575.00/chalet (8 persons)
● family chalet @P1050.00 for 2 couples (4 persons)
● 4 x twin chalets P575 & 2 single beds per chalet (8 people)
More People
● The extras can be accommodated at sister lodge

Meals
● Breakfast included
● Dinner = P80

26 April
RELAX.

27 April 08:30am

TRIP: Leshoma to Vic Falls
[img]

Botswana / Zimbabwe border crossing

LODGING: Victoria Falls Rest Camps
● Telephone : +263 (0)13 40509-11
● Fax : +263 (0)13 43434
● Email : candiss@ilalalodge.com

SELF CONTAINED LODGES x 15
Facilities
● 2 bedrooms with 2 single beds each & bed linen.
● Have their own bath and toilet with hot water.
● Have a small kitchen with a stove and a fridge (no cooking utensils)
Price
● 2 Bedrooms - 2 Beds per Room
● US$92.00 per Lodge per Night
● US$67.00 per Night (less than 4 people)

29 April 08:30

TRIP: Vic Falls to Leshoma - 87.6km


Border crossing

LODGING:
● E-Mail: lesomavalley@brobemail.co.bw
Accommodation - 20 People
● 4 x double chalet at P575.00/chalet (8 persons)
● family chalet @P1050.00 for 2 couples (4 persons)
● 4 x twin chalets P575 & 2 single beds per chalet (8 people)
More People
● The extras can be accommodated at sister lodge

Meals
● Breakfast included
● Dinner = P80


30 April 08:30am

TRIP: Leshoma to Francistown - 478 km


LODGING: Tati River Lodge
● Contact: Busela Kukumara
● E-Mail: res@trl.co.bw
● Tel: +267 2406000

● Standard Room: Single = P540, Double = P629
● Stad Exec: Single = P 661, Double = P 812


1 May 08:30am

TRIP: Francistown to Mokopane - 466km


Border Crossing: Botswana - South Africa

LODGING: Oasis Lodge
Tel: +270 15 491 4124
● R500 per room
● R85 breakfast


2 May 08:30


TRIP: Travel to home - 222km

TRIP PREPARATION PLANNER

BUDGET
The ride will be approx 2500km @ 6L/100km = R1200
Accom, living, etc per day per person R700 = R5000
Others (excl windmill, giraffe, bungy, etc) = R2000


MOTORCYCLE
Tyres: The trip is 2600km but make sure you have at least 5000km thread on it!



CLOTHES
Light (Polyester) clothes that dries quickly
Woolite to wash clothes with


MEDICATION
Malaria prevention



EQUIPMENT
Puncture repair kit
Hairdrier (if required)
Torch (the manual charge type that can also charge cell phones) obtainable from Dischem, Outdoor Warehouse etc.
Spare bulbs


DOCUMENTS
Valid passport
Vehicle border cross pass (if under finance)
Vehicle registration papers


OTHER
Something to keep the mozzies away
A holder (obtainable from BMW) which holds your name, medical information, allergies, blood groups etc. (This is attached to your jacket)


RULES & REGULATIONS
Riding: We will ride in staggered formation
Petrol: When one person fills, everybody fills up
Emergency Information: If you do not have a holder with your emergency information on you, one will be supplied at a cost of +- R65 payable before we leave

VISA Requirements
Source: http://www.home-affairs.gov.za/visa_schedule.asp
3. The citizen who is a holder of a national passport (diplomatic, official and ordinary) / travel document of the following countries / territories / international organisations is not required to hold a visa in respect of purposes for which a visitor�s permit may be issued or by virtue of being a person contemplated in section 31(3)(b) [diplomatic & official visit] for an intended stay of 30 days or less and when in transit:

Lesotho
Mozambique
Namibia
Swaziland
Zambia
Zimbabwe [only in respect of government officials, including police on cross border investigations]

THE TEAM

Please check and if your name is not here and you want it on, you can either add it to the thread and I will pick it up there or you can send me a message

Johan & Ina Maartens
Frik + Pop
Jesslyn
Johann & Marisabel
Willem en Maria
Nick Sendall
Danie Brynard en Andrea Kuhn (Boetie & Sussie)
J Venter

Johan, am very interested to join this trip. Nick Sendall

Johan,
Due to my daughter turning 21 the weekend we get back, i have, unfortunately,decided to withdraw from this trip.
The time factor is against me, and a trip like this needs to be savoured, not rushed.

All the best with future planning, and we look forward to some other interesting rides with you.

Mike and Dilla

MichaelW wrote:Johan,
Due to my daughter turning 21 the weekend we get back, i have, unfortunately,decided to withdraw from this trip.
The time factor is against me, and a trip like this needs to be savoured, not rushed.
Mike and Dilla

Thanks Mike and Dilla, we hope you guys have a wonderful time!

http://www.home-affairs.gov.za/visa_schedule.asp
3. The citizen who is a holder of a national passport (diplomatic, official and ordinary) / travel document of the following countries / territories / international organisations is not required to hold a visa in respect of purposes for which a visitor�s permit may be issued or by virtue of being a person contemplated in section 31(3)(b) [diplomatic & official visit] for an intended stay of 30 days or less and when in transit:

Lesotho
Mozambique
Namibia
Swaziland
Zambia
Zimbabwe [only in respect of government officials, including police on cross border investigations]

Nick Sendall wrote:Johan, am very interested to join this trip. Nick Sendall

Welcome Nick, I have added your name. I hope to complete the places to stay this week and then everybody can book.

Johan, I think about...!
Can you confirm if we are going into Zambia???
Visa issue!
Tks
Bruno

BON wrote:Johan,
Can you confirm if we are going into Zambia???
Visa issue!
Tks
Bruno

Hi Bruno, I asked Professor Google and they came up with this website which indicates that SA citizens do not need a VISA:
http://www.home-affairs.gov.za/visa_schedule.asp

I believe Afrizilians like Bruno will need a VISA

Tanks guys....but...
The question was: "are we going into Zambia?"
If the answer is "YES" I'll call the ZAMBIA's consulate ...
If is "NO" I'll call just BOTSWANA ans ZIMBABWE consulates!
Best regards
Bruno

Bruno

Livingstone is in Zambia. You will be there on 27 April.

Thus YES call the Zambian consulate

Sorry Bruno, I did not answer your question properly. Yes, we are planning to go into Zambia in order to see the falls from both sides.



Obtained from this website:
http://www.zambiatourism.com/galleries/vicfallsgallery.htm

It was my foult....!!!!!!!
Bad english, you know...rsrsrs

Johan

do you have a budget for border toll fees? if any. Fairy costs?

Regards

Willem

I am currently working on this and it should be available by this week-end. Was a little snookered over the week-end with our power outage.

It is amazing how dependent we are on electricity!

By the way, we will be entering Botswana, Zambia and Mozambique.

I found this usefull link for intercountry insurance
http://about.comesa.int/attachments/059_yellow-card-compendium.pdf
Still trying to find out in the 100 pages where we can buy the card in SA

Smartie wrote:I found this usefull link for intercountry insurance
http://about.comesa.int/attachments/059_yellow-card-compendium.pdf
Still trying to find out in the 100 pages where we can buy the card in SA

Thanks! I am looking at this now and will update the web with the relevant information.

Please have a look at the first three posts in this thread. You will find the latest information there.

Johan's complete Trip Document is now available on the website.

Johan, I am in the process of booking accomodation. I see that at leshoma and at vic falls, there are lodges that we will share. Do I assume that when I contact them they will alocate me a room in the pre-booking you made? Nick Sendall

Johan, unfortunately we won't make the trip anymore

(PC)2E wrote:Johan, unfortunately we won't make the trip anymore

No problem, maybe next time.