Groups

There are three groups doing the exact same tour:

4 August 2025

Hatting ( 3 vehicles ), Grounds, Gerth, Tennent.

25 August 2025

Kirkpatrick, Simpson, Jooste, Campbell, Watermeyer, Luppnow, Tregoning.

15 September 2025

Clark, White, Hassan, Lelijveld, Meyer, Roux, Wells.

Meeting date and time:

We will meet at Nata Lodge Botswana on the dates indicated above for our first night of the tour. We depart to the Pandamatenga Zimbabwe border the following day.

I will be driving from JHB and should arrive at about sunset. 

Tour Distance:

From Nata to Beitbridge 2800 km roughly including game drives.

Fuel availability:

Fuel should be available on tour.

Our longest stretch without fuel will be about 600km. Tar and gravel conditions

Fuel purchase:

Generally credit cards are accepted. However always a good idea to have some USD in your pocket. enough for a full tank should be good enough.

Cash:

Bring USD for cold drinks snacks etc.

I am only taking USD and some Rands  in cash.

Border fees:

The budget should be around USD100 per vehicle, credit cards usually works. Maybe have it in USD as well just in case.

Beitbridge also have a border fee payable on exit with a credit card. roughly R600 from memory.

Border procedures:

Vehicles are preregistered on the Zimbabwe ZIMRA eTip system.

Please register your vehicle and print the letter . If the system is a problem just register and bring the ref number with you.

Below is a video of my previous tour where we used the eTip.

BRAAING……”can I just grab a few coals from the fire?”

No Sorry. There is a current trend for guests to bring their own fold up braai to use for braaing. I have no problem with this at all. If you are using your own braai, please aslo bring your own wood and charcoal. 

I will still supply the wood/charcoal and make a fire for the communal braai. And everyone is welcome to use it.

PLEASE DO NOT EXPECT TO USE COALS FROM THE COMMUNAL FIRE FOR YOUR OWN BRAAI.

It disrupts the main braai fire and leaves the communal braai with a shortage of coals. It also burns more wood than necessary. It is not about the cost as such, but rather the availability of firewood and being able to carry enough for the days required.

Groceries:

We will stop in Hwange town and Masvingo for groceries

Washing:

On this tour you are on your own and washing can be done as we go. Bring your washing line.

Toilets:

Flush toilets every night.

Showers:

Showers everywhere.

4×4 Driving:

When we cross rivers and river beds and then mostly sandy conditions.

I also have all the recovery equipment, no need to bring any along. Just a tyre pump and spade.

Water:

There is water for cooking and cleaning everywhere. However having 20 litres in the vehicle will not hurt. Keep a few 2 litre cold drink bottles with water for emergencies

Weather:

We are in the area during a very pleasant time and summer climate is expected. 

Pleasant, shorts days but a jacket and extra blanket in the evenings.

No rain expected