Travel: Mongu - Zambia - October 2018 (Through Botswana, Namibia and Zambia)

If you have read these blogs previously you will be aware that our one daughter lives and works in Mongu, Western Zambia, at Village of Hope.

Sign with distances to various towns and cities. Was erected by one of the visiting teams to Mongu

Mongu is the capital of Western Province in Zambia and was the capital of the formerly-named province and historic state of Barotseland. Its population is 179,585 (2010 census^[1]), and it is also the headquarters of Mongu District. ongu is situated on a small blunt promontory of higher ground on the eastern edge of the 30-kilometre-wide Barotse Floodplain of the Zambezi River running north-south, which in the wet season floods right up to the town. The city is 15 kilometres from the river's main channel, to which its small harbour is connected in the dry season by a 35-kilometre route via a canal and a meandering channel. The whole region is flat and sandy, with the dry land generally no more than 50 m higher than the floodplain.

We had decided to vists her for two reasons. one, it was her birthday and two it was the opening of Hope Church in Mongu.

The new Hope Church in Mongu.
For those that have been to Mongu, this is the old Shoprite building

This year our trip up was rather short and we also decided to stay at some accommodation establishments that we had not used previously.

We left home at about 09h00 on Wednesday 03 October 2018.

Leaving Johannesburg

So I was driving our Chevrolet Trailblazer pulling our off road trailer and my wife, Sue was driving a Toyota Hilux up for our daughter Elizabeth. You might know that we had previously taken a Hilux up to Mongu for her. But, there was a tragic accident and the Hilux was rolled and two people let their lives and the driver was seriously injured and transported to hospital in Johannesburg by air ambulance. She is still recovering. Elizabeth was not in Mongu at the time. Luckily the insurance paid out and a second hand Hilux was acquired.

We stopped off to pick up two friends who were travelling up with us and hit the road to our first nights accommodation, at about 09h30.

We headed up to Toeke Se Dae for a late breakgfast That was a great decision and we really enjoyed the stop. The service was excellent and the breakfast great.

Toeke Se Dae - a lovely padstal just outside Bela-Bela. Well worth the stop

We were soon on our way again and had decided to use a small border post of Pars Halt/Stockpoort. The birder was quiet and we were the only vehicles. We have used this post previously and have always found that the gravel road in Botswana was in great condition.
However, this year they seem to have lost the grader and the road was in appalling condition. So bad that cars had taken to driving on the side of the road. We decided not to use this on our return and also to think seriously about using it in the future.

Anyway, we made t safely to the tar road and soon joined the A1 to Palapye.

Palapye is becoming a large town in Botswana, situated about halfway between Francistown and Gaborone (240 km away from Gaborone and 170 km away from Francistown). Over the years its position has made it a convenient stopover on one of Southern Africa's principal north–south rail and road routes.^{[citation needed]}

Located here is the Morupule Colliery coal mine, which supplies Morupule Power Station, Botswana's principal domestic source of electricity. The power station has undertaken an expansion project to increase its generation capacity in an effort to meet the country's increasing demand for electricity. Construction began in 2010. Currently, the plant produces 120 MW of electricity.^{[citation needed]}

In 1997 Palapye was said to be the fastest-growing village in Africa, and was expected to expand its population from 30,000 to 180,000.

We had decided to overnight in a hotel. A spoil for one night.

I had booked through Afristay and paid the full amount to them, a few months prior to pour trip. However, they had failed to communicate with the hotel and the hotel know nothing of our booking, payment or anything to do with us. I tried calling Afristay and sending a message and e-mail. But there was no response form any of my communication with them.

We were forced to pay again, even though I had the proof of payment to Afristay.

The main entrance to Majestic Five Hotel

Zebra sculptures at the front entrance to the building at Majestic Five Hotes

Afristay claimed that it was not their fault and were not really interested in refunding us, or resolving the issue. I made such a fuss and rated them so badly on Facebook that they eventually decided (but in every communication stating that it was not their fault) to refund my the ZAR 1600.00.

Anyway, our stay at Majestic Five Hotel was ok and we enjoyed the evening. The fee included breakfast and we enjoyed a buffet breakfast before hitting the road again at about 08h00 on Thursday the 4th.

Our Chevrolet Trailblazer and Rogue Off Road Trailer.
A great combination

This was going to be alongish day as we were travelling from Palapye to Pandamatenga. Pandamatenga is a village in North-West District, Botswana. It is located close to the country's border with Zimbabwe, whose border post is known as Mpandamatenga.

Both commercial and communal farming takes place in the lands around Pandamatenga. Approximately 40 000 hectares are planted to crops such as sweet sorghum, cowpeas and sunflower. The introduction of Australian farming techniques has increased productivity in the area..^[1] The population of Pandamatenga was 1,545 in the 2001 census.^[2]

Pandamatenga is served by the Pandamatenga Airport.

The road up was ok, except for sections. In particular, the section around Nata is in a very sorry state and full of large potholes. The roads agency is current working on some sections of the road but it seems that it will be a lengthily process. We made good time, anyway, deciding to stop off at Nata Lodge for lunch. Nata Lodge is always a great stop, friendly staff and a great place to relax for a while.

Hilux at Nata Lodge parking area.
Fuel pumps in the background, so you can fill up here if required.

After lunch we headed into Nata to refuel. Both vehicles were going well and we had no issues at all.

Nata Lodge.
A really nice lodge with both camping and chalet accommodation.
Good souvenir shop and a nice stop for lunch and a cold drink

From Nata it was not a very long drive up to Panda Rest Camp. This was the first time that we had stayed at Panda Rest Camp and we were pleasantly surprised. We were to be camping and our friends staying in a chalet. The campsite, although it had no grass, was great. Electricity, braai and fire area and the ablutions were fantastic. We had no issues there at all.
In fact, the pool area is serviced by a restaurant and bar area and the pool was bright blue and clean. We had a drink at the bar lounge and enjoy the time. That evening we had decided to have a braai and all turned out great.

Sign on the main road indicating Panda Rest Camp

Just at the entrance to Panda Rest Camp

Our campsite at Panda Rest Camp.
Electric power, great ablutions.
A good stop

The next morning while in the shower I stood on a bee. Luckily I'm not allergic. However the sting was a bit painful.

The drive from Panda to Kitama Mulilo would see us having to cross from Botswana into Namibia, in the Zambezi Region (old Kaprivi Strip)

This drive up is always interesting as you usually see elephant and other antelope and animals on/near the road. Were were not disappointed and before reaching Kasane we had seen elephant, Kudu and a few other smaller species. Was a great drive. The road from Panda to Kasane was also good.

Elephants enjoying the water on the side of the main road up to Kasane

They were pretty close to the road !

We traveled through Kasane, refueling at the Engen and proceeded to the Chobe corridor. Here you have to stop, sign into a register and then progress at a maximum of 80km/h until the Botswana border posts. We did only see a few antelope and some ground horn-bills along this stretch of road. There were no issues at all and after signing out the other side, we progressed to the border post.

The Botswana border is always easy and the officials are pleasant and friendly. This time, though there were about 15 camper vans full of international travelers. Although they were travelling in the opposite direction (into Botswana) the officials had allowed them, to speed up the process, to use both the entry and exit points to stamp their passports and complete the formalities. This caused a little confusion. However we were soon through and drove over the bridge and onto the Namibian border.
The Namibian border has, at times, being hell. But this time it went well and there were only a handful of travelers.

After paying the road tax, we made our way into Katima. This was where we were meeting Elizabeth who had being given a lift down from Mongu and dropped off at the Zambian border post. She walked across and entered Namibia and took a taxi into town.
We had a very nice lunch in Katima.

Katima Mulilo is a town situated in the Caprivi strip and is the capital of the Zambezi Region, Namibia's far northeast extension into central Southern Africa. It comprises two electoral constituencies, Katima Mulilo Rural and Katima Mulilo Urban. Katima Mulilo, which is sometimes shortened to just "Katima", had 28,362 inhabitants in 2010,^[2] It is located on the national road B8 on the banks of the Zambezi River in lush riverine vegetation with tropical birds and monkeys.^[3] The town receives an annual average rainfall of 654 millimetres (25.7 in).^[4]

After lunch we needed to get a battery for my Trailblazer as the other one had overheated and was damaged. This was easily obtained at the local battery shop.

Thereafter we headed for our overnight accommodation, about 25km's outside of Katima, on the Zambezi river. Caprivi Mutoya Lodge is a stunning place. We had booked a campsite tent. This was a tent with standard beds in the camping area.

The campsite Tents. They had electrical power, lights and two beds.
We were very comfortable

You shared the camping ablution block. The tents are super and there is electric power. That evening we cooked around the off road trailer, which was parked near the camping tents.

Sitting around the trailer having some tea and a light lunch.

Off Road Trailer and the Hilux.

The resort is shady, grassed and on the river. The bar area has a deck which overlooks the river. It was a pity that we were only staying one night.

But the next morning we had to make our way up to Mongu.
This entailed two border crossings, being our of Namibia and into Zambia. We passed through the Namibian border post without any issues. The Zambian one was full of trucks and cars. But, there were not many people in the building. So,naturally we though that the process would be quick. Well an hour and a half later (felt like 3 hours) were were done. The issue was that they had installed a new computer system and the official could only type with one finger, so it took time.
First you have your passport stamped. Then you go for carbon tax. They you have to go to on outside office to register your vehicle. The you back in the office for road tax, then you go and get insurance. When finally you leave and are stopped about 100 meters further for council tax. Then another 100m for the police to check that you have all the papers and have paid everything. Thereafter you are ready for the road into Zambia, which by the way is a super tar road.

The bridge over the Zambezi is complete, so there is no longer a need to take the pontoon.

After about 350km you arrive in Mongu (Mongu is the capital of Western Province in Zambia and was the capital of the formerly-named province and historic state of Barotseland. Its population is 179,585 (2010 census^[1]), and it is also the headquarters of Mongu District.)- and just before the town, you see a sign to Village of Hope on your left hand side. We turned down that dirt road.

The entrance to Village of Hope in Mongu

One of the Chalets which are available to visiting teams.
They have electric power, two beds (or a double), shower, flush toilet and a small kitchen area.
Very comfortable indeed.

The path leading to the chalets and camping area.

View from within the grounds.

We were lucky enough to get a chalet at Village of hope, with shower and toilet as well as a small kitchen area, so we did not have to camp.
It was extremely hot in Mongu and most days were around 35c (95f). We also brought a bakkie load of special wheelchairs up from South Africa and these were delivered to the clinic.

Some of the wheelchairs which were donated and which we took up to Mongu.
The chairs were specifically made for some children.
They are really super wheelchairs.

The clinic (still work in progress).
This is were we delivered the wheelchairs.

Village oh Hope main entrance.

The opening of Hope Church was on Sunday 7th and this was a very special occasion. It all turned out fantastically and the service went off very well indeed.

Hope Church Mongu (on opening day !)

Hope Art is made in Zambia (and George) and sold at Hope Church.
Its all for the benefit of underprivileged, Have a read at the link above.

Just inside Hope Church Mongu

The service about to start !

After the service.

While in Mongu we always love taking a drive along the floodplains road. Its now a tar road and you should click on the link to see the various pictures, Its quiet spectacular.

Also, it was Elizabeth's birthday on the 8th and we went to a local lodge and had a superb dinner.

All to soon it was time to take the trip back to Johannesburg. This time, we had decided to stop off at Senyati safari camp botswana, which is located just outside Kasane. There are two entrances to the camp, one for 4x4 only and the other for "normal" vehicles. Because we were towing a camping trailer, I decided to take the route for normal vehicles. We arrived safely. The attraction to Senyati is the Elephants. They have a borehole fresh waterhole and this attracts the elephants, in great numbers.
We were camping at Senyatii and we had a campsite which was quiet close to the waterhole. The campsite in unfenced.

These campsites have private ablutions, but they seem to be getting a bit tired and do need some TLC. However, there is a shower, fed by a donkey to create the hot water, a flush toilet as well as electricity and washing up facilities. All this under a boma type shelter. Its very nice.
We had not being there long before we notices elephants at the waterhole. There were actually so many, it was almost impossible to count them.

Elephant at Senyati
African elephant

They always bring their young along and are vary protective of them

Playing in the sand and the water

Normally this area is full of grass, it was extremely dry.

They kept coming until just after dark.
After we had set up, we went down to the viewing deck (free limited WiFi) which also houses the bar which is open in the evenings. Was a good evening.

The viewing deck at Senyati
Also the bar and refreshment area.

On returning to the campsite and cooking dinner we retired to bed a little later.

Our campsite at Senyati.
The dome tent was directly behind the off road trailer

The private ablution is in the thatch area on the right

View of the waterhole from our campsite

Very dry !

Well that evening the local lion had decided to roar throughout the night. It was, however, quiet a distance away. Our friends were in a dome tent and (this being their first "wilderness" encounter) were not too happy. But everyone made it through the night.

The following day we had decided to self drive around Chobe National Park.

Entrance to Chobe National park

It was extremely dry and we did see plenty of elephant and planes game. The cat family were illusive, though.

Fish eagle

Elephants in Chobe

Crocodile

Sable antelope

Giraffe

On returning to Senyati there were many more elephant at the waterhole.

View from our campsite

Elephant in the distance -
taken while sitting in my camping chair at the campsite.

The following morning we packed up and made the long drive all the way into South Africa. We did stop off at the Wimpy in Francistown for a bite of lunch.

We normally stay just inside the Botswana side, near the border. But I had read about a lovely campsite just inside South Africa. This turned out to be an excellent decision and the campsite was superb.

The campsite is called Moriti Bush Camp. Its on a private farm and also on the Limpopo River.

Entrance to Moriti Bash Camp
Stunning place !

The campsite is just lovely, Its huge. Has a bathroom out of a hotel, a kitchen with induction hob, fridge and wash up sink. Loads of work space. Drinking water is provided in a container, as that used in the shower and toilet is not suitable for drinking. There is also a boma in which to make a fire as well as the fire "platform" on which you can make a braai fire and a ambiance fire. All this you can enjoy from sitting in your camp chair and looking at the river. In addition, the owners wife brings a packet of homemade rusks, which were great. The site in which we stayed also has electric power. At night the huge tree is lit up with electric lanterns (they can be turned off is desired) and this just makes the entire place relaxing. We had a great time and will be going back (in April 2019)