Northan Moz

[OOOOMS]

Dec. '08 we did a round-trip of N Moz. Total of 7000km. Well what a trip! 5 Vehicles and 13 people.
From Jhb - Zim - Gorangoza - Niassa - Pemba - Ihle de Moz - Beira back to Gorangoza and throught Zim again.

Lots of nice places and very few tourists. Many places near Niassa had not seen a 4 year old girl (my daughter) and freaked out when they saw her little face with blond hair. Quite strange.

Quite challenging at times. Would like to go back in say 5 years or so.

[Family_Dog]

Mark, you cannot just leave it at this! Photos and story, please!


-F_D

[OOOOMS]

In the process of doing a story for the mags, I will post an edited version in 2 weeks or so. If u want it sooner u will have to come for a braai....

[pietpetoors]

Mark, it's been two months now. Did you write the trip report.

[OOOOMS]

Hmmmm, nee nog nie, jammer! Maar die koole is nog warm

[Danman]

Hi Mark,
Ek is ook nuuskierig, ons beplan nou al 3jaar aan 'n soortgelyke trip volgende jaar(probeer weghardloop tydens die 2010wc) deur botswana, zam, zim, moz (4 countries in 4 weeks).
Ek sal graag jou experiences wil hoor.

[OOOOMS]

Danie, ek glo nie 4 weeke is nie genoeg nie as gevolg van die paaie. En as jy kinders saam vat nog minder. Glo my hulle raak mislik om so lank in die kar te sit.

Gaan julle as 'n groep of alleen? Dit maak ook 'n groot verskil.

[OOOOMS]

Van die paaie

[Danman]

Jy sien dis hoekom ek met ouens soos jy moet praat
Wat stel jy voor?
Ek sal graag by die bestemings wil hou maar kan speel met die tyd max 6 weke.
Ek het twee makgemaakte bobbejane saam met die vrou wat ek wil saamvat.
Al drie van my kudde was al op sulke trips deur botswana en Nam, maar ek weet die gaan 'n uitdaging wees.

ons is op die stadium is ons 6 voertuie in die groep maar ek maak my reg vir ten mindste twee drosteerders.
Ek sal ook graag wil weet van 'n checklist wat julle nodig gehad het, saamgevat het en nie nodig gehad het nie ens.

groot dank

[OOOOMS]

'Makgemaakde Bobbejane'!!! He,he,he!!!! Brilliant, lanklaas gehoor, ek le soos ek lag....

[OOOOMS]

Here are some tips and suggestions when planning a trip:
Note,!) we did not make any pre bookings anywhere as this can become a problem.
2) we were all self sufficient in terms of camping 'in the bush'

Firstly and most important!:
- Choose / have 1 'one' team leader, to make decisions during the trip, and ensure all agree with this.(this will avoid problems later on the trip)
- Decide and confirm who is all going on the trip, get a commitment. (how many children / adults / vehicles.)
- All agree on the basic route, you will follow.
- Obtain everyone's input regarding the route and find out about 'nice places to see'. (as what you like may not interest others)
- Food, what we do is, ensure all are present when planning your menu / meals:
We usally have a quick coffee and a rusk, before departing.
Stop for brunch, eggs (take with), bacon ex. Not every day it takes quite some time setting up and finding a nice spot, washing up etc.(every 3rd day or so)
We would have 'quick' breakkies most of the time and the kids prefer this anyway(Pro-nutro, corn flakes).
Meat: pack the fridges according to your use ie from bottom up. Spread the meat in various fridges incase something fails. This will avoid spoilt meat.
Tin food / pap en sous / box salad's work, just ensure it's bubble wrapped.
Bread, make sure you have someone who can bake nice bread, it's not always freely available.
- Allow extra time for border crossings as they can test your patience, try and go through as a group.
- Have camp site duties, assign various members, to make fire, coffee, cook, dig toilet 'gat', washing up dishes, put up shower, etc.
- Who transports what, spread the load umongst the vehicles. Make sure you all know who has what.
- Have a kitty or slush fund the leader or accountant controll's, for vegies, fruit you buy along the road.
- Ensure you have 2 way radio's that work and tested weeks before you depart. 29meg not so good, we used vhf, Front vehicle warns convoiy of pot-holes, road block's, pee breaks (all) and general info.
- Make sure vehicles are all in good workig order. Each one to carry own spares like(fan belts, filters, brake pads, spark plugs, etc.) Take 2 sets of tools, as my idea of tools is not the same as my mate's)
- Trailers, they break! Even the best, spare set of springs and bearings
- Recovery equipment: Each vehicle to carry snatch strap and tow rope, pref 2 winches and high lift jack's per group and d-chackles (plenty)
- Take enough diesel / petrol per vehicle, make sure if possible vehicles are 'full' before departing in the morning. Otherwise someone always has to stop to fill up at every petrol pump.
- Water: We carted way to much water, water is freely available, in most towns, boreholes are plenty.

- Work together, be happy and if there is a Landy in your group, CANCEL your trip!

[OOOOMS]

Trailer repairs....day 5 in Zim, broken blade, finding a place to repair / make a new one is a mission and very, very costly. They wanted to charge me R500.00 for one blade, and eventually settled for R300.00 (rip-off) worse than the stealers here

[OOOOMS]

More trailer repairs in Moz day 16. Other blade.

Since then I have replaced all blades and drive along a spare set. Also installed shocks.

[OOOOMS]

Another trailer, springs...they could not make another or did not have the equipment so we welded the spring with a support, and strapped just incase.

PS: take your own welding rods with, they are like 'gold' there.

[Optimus Prime]

Nou wat gaan aan met al die trailers wat so gaan ?

[OOOOMS]

Nee wat, ekke weet nie, seker maar die paaie?

[OOOOMS]

Finally!

[Optimus Prime]

Neewat nou maak jy mens net lus

[Family_Dog]

Nice report, Mark!


-F_D