My big trip

[lukestrugnell]

Hi all

Just wanted some advice. Am planning a trip visiting the following countries and leaving close to 1 Oct this year:

1: Bots
2: Zambia
3: Malawi
4: Tanzania
5: Uganda
6: Mozambique

and then home.

My question is what are the must see/go places in each country.

Any one with advice please feel free.

Thanks
Luke

[Dadz Toy BFI]

Luke

Any particular reason that NAMIBIA is not on your list

Otherwise Insanely jealous

Rich

[lukestrugnell]

Hello all from Kasane!

We are just over a week into our trip and have come through magalagadi pans, maun, moremi, savute and linyanti!

Its been really great so far but also really tough going!

The pans were fine just hard to navigate and then we hit the sand! Moremi was still fine but Savute to Linyanti was rough and from there to Kasane was worse!

Tyres down to 1 bar, 4wd engaged and momentum got us through! I am afraid to say we got stuck twice, once we recovered ourselves and the second time a discovery 3 pulled me out....... (Im sorry guys) as pay back the discovery 3 wouldnt start the next morning :D

so next on to zambia and up north.

cheers

[Family_Dog]

Luke, enjoy it! Have a look at Rampie's trip to Tanzania, recently completed for some tips.


-F_D

[Rampie]

Hi Luke
My 5c worth with a bit of hindsight and plenty plenty jealousy:

Zambia:
See my post somewhere here (or maybe on the big site) about the requirements and sequence at the border.
Zambia's fuel is extremely expensive, somewhere around R18/l for diesel when we were there.
Vic Falls is an obvious choice, but the first +-70km of the road north is really terrible. Take plenty patience and a good sense of humour to cope with trucks (both those overtaking you and the oncoming ones - often at the same time). After that keep your eyes peeled for brake marks on the road as the potholes are experts at camouflage and stay invisible until you hit them.
Kundalile Falls near Lake Lusiwasi is quite spectacular (not on the same scale as Vic) and camping is allowed there.
Plan to stay a few days at Kapisheya Hot Springs, it is simply spectacular.

Tanzania
Stick to their speed limits, especially the 30 and 50 ones. Their national parks are very expensive, if you want to go north you might want to consider going to Kenya side.
Karibuni Church centre in Mbeya provides safe camping in town, but ablutions are an adventure. There is a visa atm at a garage where you can draw shillings.
Crocodile camp about 30km past Iringa is new, so its not yet on gps maps. We recommend it as the facilities are nice & new and the people great, *but* it is right next to the main road and trucks may bother you if you're a light sleeper.
Quite a few people recommended we go to the Ruaha reserve rather than going to the Serengeti, but sadly we didn't listen.
If you have to go to Dar Es Salaam we can recommend Kipepeo Beach lodge and camp. It is a hassle to get there with the ferry crossing, but worth the effort. Watch the ferry operator, you should not pay more than 1700 shillings for the crossing.
We spent only a day at Zanzibar and (maybe because of the limited time) didn't like it all that much.
Plan to spend lots of time at Peponi Beach south of Tanga. It is an absolute paradise with bar, restaurant, shop and all the makings of a holiday all on its own. You can exchange some currency there.
Shoprite in Arusha is like the one at home and not all that expensive.
Ngoro is a tourist trap and the roads are terrible. As you'll be there in rainy season it might make for some very 'interesting' driving.

Malawi
The absolute jewel of the trip!
Have to have to rest at Chitimba camp overlooking the lake. also at Nkwazi camp just south of Nkhata Bay. We've heard that Monkey Bay and Nkhata bay was very commercialised with overlanding groups and avoided them.
In the south the Liwonde national park and especially Mvuu (hippo) camp is spectacular even though it is small - compared to Kruger etc.

Mozambique
Don't bother. Rather visit the coastal south sometime on another trip.

Yell if you need further info.