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  1. #1
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    Default Botswana/Zimbabwe/Zambia/Malawi - Easter 2017

    Hi all

    We are setting off on a trip to Malawi on 14 April 2017.

    I am familiar with Botswana and Zimbabwe but it’s my first time tackling Zambia and Malawi.

    Herewith our planned route.

    Day 1 – Pretoria to Elephant Sands;
    Day 2 – Elephant Sands to Vic Falls – via Matetsi Safari Area;
    Day 3 – Vic Falls to Pioneer Camp/Lusaka – via T1/T2;
    Day 4 – Pioneer Camp/Lusaka to Wildlife Camp/SLNP – via T4/Petauke/Ukwimi/Chimuka;
    Day 6 - Wildlife Camp/SLNP to Majizuwa Lodge/Chilumba – via D104 Lundazi/Mqocha/Mtyocha/M20/M1;
    Day 8 - Majizuwa Lodge/Chilumba to Makuzi Beach Lodge/Chintheche – via M1/M5;
    Day 10 - Makuzi Beach Lodge/Chintheche to Chembe Eagles Nest/Chembe – via M5/M10;
    Day 13 - Chembe Eagles Nest/Chembe to Eureka Camp/Lusaka – via M10/M5/M14/T4 (I’m stressed about this stretch in one day);
    Day 14 - Eureka Camp/Lusaka to Chobe Safari Lodge/Kasane – via T2/T1/M10/Kazungula Ferry;
    Day 16 - Chobe Safari Lodge/Kasane to Kubu Island;
    Day 17 – Kubu Island to Khama Rhino Sanctuary/Serowe; and
    Day 18 - Khama Rhino Sanctuary/Serowe to Pretoria.

    Malawi is the destination that’s why we’re not hanging around in the other 3 countries – strapped for time.

    Any constructive comments/advise will be appreciated – especially on our planned route from Lusaka all the way through to Majizuwa Lodge/Chilumba.

    What’s the newest in terms of taking frozen meat up north?

    Thanks in advance.

    Cheers

  2. #2
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    Default Re: Botswana/Zimbabwe/Zambia/Malawi - Easter 2017

    Sorry to say, but the plan looks to crowded.
    For this trip you need at least 4 weeks and border between Zam ans Mal as well as Kazungula are notorious to eat your hours in a day.

    The part you are stressed on already is simply unreasonable, you will not be able to reach the "other side" of Lusaka from Cape Mclear - impossible.
    Have you done the planning with Google Maps for each section?
    Then add 2 hours each for border crossing and an hour for road blocks and check points.

    There is also little benefit on doing the Lekhubu Island with no time to remain, you will arrive late then want to leave early next day to reach KRS.

    KRS also as a stop over, not much of a point as you won't have the time to go for the game views.
    Rather drive Kasane - Nata- F/Town - Palapye and spend more time up North.

    On the positive side, you can save day 5, there is nothing to do at Pioneers Camp, so maybe move to Luangwa Bridge Camp then you have the time next day to tackle the Petauke to Mfuwe scenic road. I was told this one takes time due to road conditions.
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  4. #3
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    Default Re: Botswana/Zimbabwe/Zambia/Malawi - Easter 2017

    Quote Originally Posted by johanncbotha View Post
    Hi all

    We are setting off on a trip to Malawi on 14 April 2017.

    I am familiar with Botswana and Zimbabwe but it’s my first time tackling Zambia and Malawi.

    Herewith our planned route.

    Day 1 – Pretoria to Elephant Sands;
    Day 2 – Elephant Sands to Vic Falls – via Matetsi Safari Area;
    Day 3 – Vic Falls to Pioneer Camp/Lusaka – via T1/T2;
    Day 4 – Pioneer Camp/Lusaka to Wildlife Camp/SLNP – via T4/Petauke/Ukwimi/Chimuka;
    Day 6 - Wildlife Camp/SLNP to Majizuwa Lodge/Chilumba – via D104 Lundazi/Mqocha/Mtyocha/M20/M1;
    Day 8 - Majizuwa Lodge/Chilumba to Makuzi Beach Lodge/Chintheche – via M1/M5;
    Day 10 - Makuzi Beach Lodge/Chintheche to Chembe Eagles Nest/Chembe – via M5/M10;
    Day 13 - Chembe Eagles Nest/Chembe to Eureka Camp/Lusaka – via M10/M5/M14/T4 (I’m stressed about this stretch in one day);
    Day 14 - Eureka Camp/Lusaka to Chobe Safari Lodge/Kasane – via T2/T1/M10/Kazungula Ferry;
    Day 16 - Chobe Safari Lodge/Kasane to Kubu Island;
    Day 17 – Kubu Island to Khama Rhino Sanctuary/Serowe; and
    Day 18 - Khama Rhino Sanctuary/Serowe to Pretoria.

    Malawi is the destination that’s why we’re not hanging around in the other 3 countries – strapped for time.

    Any constructive comments/advise will be appreciated – especially on our planned route from Lusaka all the way through to Majizuwa Lodge/Chilumba.

    What’s the newest in terms of taking frozen meat up north?

    Thanks in advance.

    Cheers
    Hopefully for you, an old Zambia hand will reply. But for the Zambia section for Easter this year, remember that it is the rainy season. I don't think you will be able to get to South Luangwa NP via Petauke etc on Day 4. Much better to go via Chipata (and the roadworks are finished). It will be a long day's drive from Lusaka to South Luangwa via Chipata, but perfectly do-able.

    I also don't know enough about your planned route for Day 6, but I think this might be problematic in the rains and I think I have read somewhere that the border crossing into Malawi on this route is rarely used. It might be easier and less stressful to go via Chipata and Lilongwe.

    Day 13 sounds too long in one day. The roads in Malawi will be slow going, and you have a border crossing to do. You could stop at Mama Rula's in Chipata or, if time permits, Bridge Camp on the Luangwa River about halfway between Chipata and Lusaka.

    Do you have Tracks4Africa?

    Safari njema!

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  6. #4
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    Default Re: Botswana/Zimbabwe/Zambia/Malawi - Easter 2017

    Quote Originally Posted by johanncbotha View Post
    Hi all

    We are setting off on a trip to Malawi on 14 April 2017.

    I am familiar with Botswana and Zimbabwe but it’s my first time tackling Zambia and Malawi.

    Herewith our planned route.

    Day 1 – Pretoria to Elephant Sands;
    Day 2 – Elephant Sands to Vic Falls – via Matetsi Safari Area;
    Day 3 – Vic Falls to Pioneer Camp/Lusaka – via T1/T2;
    Day 4 – Pioneer Camp/Lusaka to Wildlife Camp/SLNP – via T4/Petauke/Ukwimi/Chimuka;
    Day 6 - Wildlife Camp/SLNP to Majizuwa Lodge/Chilumba – via D104 Lundazi/Mqocha/Mtyocha/M20/M1;
    Day 8 - Majizuwa Lodge/Chilumba to Makuzi Beach Lodge/Chintheche – via M1/M5;
    Day 10 - Makuzi Beach Lodge/Chintheche to Chembe Eagles Nest/Chembe – via M5/M10;
    Day 13 - Chembe Eagles Nest/Chembe to Eureka Camp/Lusaka – via M10/M5/M14/T4 (I’m stressed about this stretch in one day);
    Day 14 - Eureka Camp/Lusaka to Chobe Safari Lodge/Kasane – via T2/T1/M10/Kazungula Ferry;
    Day 16 - Chobe Safari Lodge/Kasane to Kubu Island;
    Day 17 – Kubu Island to Khama Rhino Sanctuary/Serowe; and
    Day 18 - Khama Rhino Sanctuary/Serowe to Pretoria.
    As mentioned, this is an insanely hectic schedule, and with several sections that are simply not possible.
    Day 3: Vic Falls to Pioneer is pushing it - you have to get through the border, and negotiate Lusaka traffic which can be a nightmare.
    Day 4: If by this you mean the back track on dirt, this is not possible in the rainy season - there are several river crossings on the route that will be too dangerous and the road itself will be very treacherous. You would have to stick to the T4 to Chipata and then across to SLNP.
    Day 6: The Lundazi route into Malawi will be very treacherous and possibly impassable in the wet.
    Day 13: Chembe to Lusaka impossible in one day.
    Good luck! I would scale the trip down to half this amount of travelling, and it will still be quite hectic - if the aim is to be in Malawi, look at alternative routes, eg through Zimbabwe and the Tete Corridor, or through Moz the whole way.
    Tony Weaver
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    Previously
    1991 Land Rover 110 Hi-Line 3.5l V8; 1968 2.25l Land Rover SII; 1969 2.6l SIIA; 1973 2.25l SIII
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