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Post by danie on May 6, 2010 18:31:31 GMT 2
Hi Ronnie Looks like I will consume lots and lots of tinned meat then - I will rather spend the "freezer money" on a Limited Slip Diff. ;D...........we don't camp that often in the jungle, and it would not make sense to buy a freezer for just one trip.
As far as the roof tent is concerned, I think I will sleep on top of the roof tent. ;D
Regards
Danie
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Post by ronnie on May 7, 2010 14:13:17 GMT 2
Hi Danie I will have a National Luna fridge/freezer in the Landy. The freezer cools to -18 deg at ambient of 40.The fridge can be set cool to-15 so we can make a plan if we are "off road" for a few days. You only buy equipment like this if you are going to use it on a regular basis. Looking forward to seeing you tomorrow Regards Ronnie
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Hercules
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Post by Hercules on May 7, 2010 16:29:05 GMT 2
Hi Ronnie.
Will nylon tents do the job or do we need canvas tents. Rooftop tents is also a bit steep in price for me.
Regards.
Hercules.
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Post by ronnie on May 7, 2010 18:15:52 GMT 2
Hi Hercules
I think either would do. If I needed to buy one I think I would go for canvas,as I think it is stronger. All I would advise is to make sure it has a sewn in ground sheet and the opening is above ground level. That way nothing can crawl inside.
Regards
Ronnie
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Hercules
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Post by Hercules on May 7, 2010 19:04:29 GMT 2
Thanks Ronnie.
I got 2x nylon tents, both with bathtub floors and is about 100 - 150mm high.
Regards
Hercules
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Post by danie on May 7, 2010 19:15:19 GMT 2
Hi Ronnie / Hercules
Ronnie, I think I will just buy a lot of tinned meat in SA, as well as enough frozen meat (if allowed) for one or two days. The fresh meat will be kept in a cooler box, packed with ice bags.
Should we stumble across quality meat wherever we go, I will regard that as a bonus. If not available, it would not bother me at all.
Hercules, I've got one of those nylon "cheapies" - bought for about R1200 . We've used it twice during camping trips to the Drakensberg, and it works very well. It will obviously not last as long as a canvas tent, but should be good enough for a two week Africa trip.
Regards
Danie
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Post by ronnie on May 7, 2010 20:47:54 GMT 2
Hi Danie and Hercules
Make do with what ever you have. If we are in a game reserve for 2 or 3 days we can run both bins of the landy fridge as freezers and put all the meat in it.
Regards
Ronnie
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Post by danie on May 11, 2010 18:01:10 GMT 2
Hi All
During Ronnie's visit during the weekend we discussed the trip, and we want to find out what everyone expect to experience during this trip.
I decided to set up a poll, (see above) and hope that everyone who indicated that they will attend the trip, will take part to ensure that this trip will meet their expectations.
Regards
Danie
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Post by danie on May 15, 2010 16:29:28 GMT 2
A couple of fellas taking a bath in the Chobe river, Caprivi Strip: A bridge in the area - perfect for a Lada: Danie
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Post by ronnie on May 17, 2010 19:24:10 GMT 2
Hi All After looking at the results of the poll I have made the following itinerary to get your minds working. Chop and change it as you see fit. Regards Ronnie Attachments:
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Post by Ari Bezuidenhout on May 17, 2010 20:36:00 GMT 2
Hi Ronnie
Looks good to me. I'm happy to go along with anything you and the others come up with as I don't have any experience north of our borders.
Ari
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Hercules
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Post by Hercules on May 17, 2010 21:18:44 GMT 2
Hi Ronnie.
Looks good to me.
Regards.
Hercules.
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Post by danie on May 17, 2010 21:28:58 GMT 2
Hi Ronnie
I am more than happy with the route.
There is still a lot of time before the trip, and I am also willing to go along with future suggestions by the group.
Many thanks for your time in this regard.
Regards
Danie
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Post by ronnie on May 18, 2010 12:18:52 GMT 2
Hi All
It is difficult to please all. There is plenty time for you to read up about the surrounding countries and make suggestions. Remember we did our first trip blind. In fact Jonathan the owner of Chobe Game Lodge thought we were crazy to go to savute in a Lada !!! Have a go at doing a route. The most important thing is to try to not have days following each other with long distances. Border crossings can take half an hour one time and four hours the next. It should be a holiday not an endurance trip.
Regards
Ronnie
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Post by marius on May 18, 2010 20:04:09 GMT 2
"It should be a holiday not an endurance trip." 100% with Ronnie on that one. Also - It is very exciting to do serious 4x4 driving but not for extended periods - very heavy on man and beast alike. Much nicer to enjoy a braai and a couple of beers under African stars - than trying to recover from a hectic day's driving.
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Post by Ari Bezuidenhout on May 20, 2010 16:31:38 GMT 2
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Post by ronnie on May 20, 2010 19:15:16 GMT 2
Hi Ari
The only thing I would add on tyre pressure in sand is only deflate as much as is necessary not down to a set point. The reasoning being the softer the tyre the more susceptible to side wall damage from roots etc. I have never as a matter of course reduced tyre pressure, only reducing when necessary.You soon recognize when the vehicle is not happy.
Regards
Ronnie
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Post by danie on Jun 5, 2010 18:49:12 GMT 2
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Post by danie on Jun 5, 2010 19:14:15 GMT 2
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Post by ronnie on Jun 5, 2010 19:15:52 GMT 2
Hi Danie The biggest problem with meat is the little PIMPLE at the vet fence at lunch time. He has been known to make his own rules when he is hungry. If he is hungry you have no options but to play ball. Regards Ronnie
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Post by Ari Bezuidenhout on Jun 5, 2010 19:22:37 GMT 2
Hi
This is true of most of africa.
Ari
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Post by ronnie on Jul 7, 2010 21:15:24 GMT 2
Hi All Now that I have my next 1 gig I am trying to see if I can research some costs which we are going to incur.Vehicle entrance into Zambia is R914.40. Camping NEAR the game reserves R190 per person per night (pppn). Also R 150 for the vehicle on the ferry. We were looking at The Lower Zambezi National park 550 km each way plus all the touring in the park. We still need to add the park fees, which I am still looking for. Budget on us $20 pppd (R150 each). Looking at these costs and as you have traveled so far you will have at least 3 nights here. Before I spend countless hours at it, is this within every body`s budget. If it is not I will look at alternatives. Zambia has always been expensive and Botswana is very rapidly catching up. Namibia is still reasonable and Zimbabwe I have not checked but I believe they have also hiked their Fees. Zimbabwe is not as bad as it is made out to be (safety wise) and I say this from experience.Please give me your thoughts. Regards Ronnie PS Where is every body as the Forum seems to be very Quiet. PPS It is not in my budget
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Post by marius on Jul 8, 2010 15:23:37 GMT 2
Hi Ronnie I've been quiet due to technical issues with the internet - will probably be a problem over the next couple of days. Personally - if any country proves to be too expensive - I would look for an alternative. My feeling is that Zim might be keen for "new" tourists so in some places you might still get some value for money. I remember back in 1989 most of their National Parks were dirt cheap. Regards Marius
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Post by ronnie on Jul 8, 2010 16:10:10 GMT 2
Hi Marius I start to get worried when the Forum is so quiet . Yes I agree with you, costs must be reasonable. When I was working money was no problem, but I still looked for value. In Botswana the only value in the parks was the Game and the solitude. The camp site facilities were in some cases JUST USABLE. Unfortunately they have recently raised their rates, EG Savute per day including camping for 2 has gone from R367 to R960 . Each camp site has a different price due to privatizing and popularity. Savute and Moremi have always been popular. There are still ways to have time in the reserves by camping outside the reserve and going in for the day. However Because of the long access roads it is only in Chobe reserve that you can do this. Also some border crossings can be expensive and should be kept to a minimum. I will wait for the other members to give us their views before I work on something else. Regards Ronnie
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Post by ronnie on Jul 8, 2010 16:22:48 GMT 2
Hi Marius I forgot to say Zim has also got expensive but I think they will revise their prices as they got carried away with the World cup and thought they were going to make a killing. I know members are worried about security in Zim but I can design a visit to Botswana at reasonable cost and enter Zim heading for Wankie game reserve and I won`t use a tar road. In fact you probably won`t see another vehicle. ;D. Security is not really a problem, and I say that from experience, and would not hesitate going back to what is a lush green country Regards Ronnie PS the next time I do a route I will take time and try to include probable costs.
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Post by danie on Jul 8, 2010 17:51:25 GMT 2
Hi Ronnie / Marius
I agree - the trip should be as affordable as possible.
If Botswana, Zimbabwe, and Malawi seems to be too expensive, I wouldn't mind just visiting Namibia only. As mentioned before, Namibia is a wonderful country to visit, and I wouldn't think twice to go back there again........
Regards
Danie
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Post by marius on Jul 8, 2010 18:04:35 GMT 2
Hi Danie/Ronnie
I have only seen bits and pieces of Namibia - then SWA. Very friendly people and I wouldn't mind at all to visit.
Let's hope that Zim get cheaper - a fantastic place to visit.
Regards Marius
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Post by danie on Jul 8, 2010 18:22:16 GMT 2
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Post by ronnie on Jul 8, 2010 18:26:06 GMT 2
Hi Danie and Marius I will wait for Hercules Ari etc to answer but I am very keen to try and incorporate Vic Falls into the tour. Also from Jhb there is no easy route into Namibia without going through Botswana. The only other way in is through Upington. This is possible but there is not so much to see in the south of Namibia so you head North and then exit via Botswana. Now you don`t want to pass through without seeing some of the country after paying the entry fees. I have used the Trans Kalahari Hi way through Bots as a home route and don`t remember seeing much of interest on this route, though it was a long time ago. In Namibia the main Game reserves are in the North. Not to worry we have plenty time to put something together. Regards Ronnie
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Hercules
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Post by Hercules on Jul 8, 2010 19:18:07 GMT 2
Hallo Ronnie,
I agree if Botswana, Zambia and Zim too expensive is, can we look at Namibia. It is a beautiful place. We can also have a look at Moz.
Regards.
Hercules
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