Hey guys a couple of mates and me are looking to run the zam in december on the cheap does any one know what the cheapest camping site near #1 is

Easiest option is to stay at Jolly Boys backpackzambia.com/
(cheaper)

or Fawly Towers www.adventure-africa.com/
(slightly more costly)

Otherwise camp at the Zambezi waterfront. That's a great place to stay I've stayed in the chalets there.

Both of those backpackers are only a few km's away from #1 (about 8 or so as they're in town) whereas the waterfront is more out of the way..

thanks alot. Is driving up quite alot cheeper than flying? like i said we really trying to save as much cash as possible.

This time of year, driving is cheaper. (just a lot slower) They notch up the air ticket prices nicely for the holidays. If you drive through Botswana you HAVE to get boat permits which is quite annoying... Otherwise you could drive through Zimbabwe, just take ALL your own fuel. Flying also has the risk of running into problems taking your boats but many people have flown and some have and some have not had problems. A good smile, positive attitude and some luck is what you need.

I'm driving up this Monday through Botswana. I've driven down via that route (Kazungula Ferry) and it's very lekker. Loads of elephants and what not on the road. Quite relaxing and scenic... Should be fun
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kazungula_Ferry

From JHB to Livingstone was 1362km I think. So you can do it in a day. Just chase from the south to the north border post...

thanks man. Whats the deal with boat permits? where do we get them from and stuff? have a lekker trip

Water affairs in Gaberone, Botswana. Try +2673607161 and ask them to fax you through the forms. Or this number: (09267)3607100 is another someone gave me.

And some more info:
Contact: Department of Mines, Ministry of Mineral Energy and Water Affairs, P/Bag 0049, Gaborone, Botswana; Tel 267 3934479; Fax; 267 352141

Maybe that last one. My mate organised them for us. And don't think you can try and sneak through... the guys at the border post know the deal and won't let you through. Once you've got them it's good to go. About R50 per boat so not expensive.

Hi Iain,
The cheapest place to stay that is the closest to the put-in is the backpackers in Vic Falls (Zim side) called \"Shoe Strings\".
But i reckon your best bet like, Adrian said, is to go with Fawlty Towers, Jolly Boys or Waterfront on the Zambian side. You must get in contact with Sven from www.thezambezi.com to sort our river trips though.
You can also read more about the Zam and the area here, lifebywater.com/linesandblunts/?page_id=152 , hope that helps a bit.

Cheers
Scotty R

Thanks alot guys

the nicest place to camp on the zambian side is definitely The Zambezi Waterfront!
trust me, the one year i took two hours to go and explore every single campsite on both the upstream and downstream side of livingstone, and not one of them could come close to this place.

ive camped there twice - it is a well run lush green campsite with two swimming pools (and even some ponds with small crocodiles!) and a bar overlooking the river, excellent for sunsets. one of the two pools is situated at the bar which is a nice touch.
ablutions are spotless.
pricing is not over the top, but i think they only accept US $.

also

the safpar guys run thier operations from there, so you might even be able to arrange drop-off and pick up with them - just beware, my personal dealings with safpar has shown them to be arrogant and unwilling to help unless you put up the $$$$

asfor boat permits through botswana. the one time i came back from malawi with my bright red tandem sea kayak on the roof. no one at the botswana border even noticed it. but that may have been specific to the gate guard on duty

enjoy!

the safpar guys run thier operations from there, so you might even be able to arrange drop-off and pick up with them - just beware, my personal dealings with safpar has shown them to be arrogant and unwilling to help unless you put up the $$$$

You have that right, i used to work for them and i tell you, by the end i was ready to get out. But i do disagree with you when you say that the prices are reasonable. The backpackers in town are far better as far as cost is concerned whether you stay there or at the Waterfront you would be using Sven's services, all the same price.

i was refering to camping.
i know the backpackers are probably cheaper, but i assuemd the question posed was refering to camping exclusively.
i personally am a die-hard camper, and prefer staying in a tent in the bush rather than at a party crazy backpackers bursting at the seams with ganja smoking hippies (no offence to hippies)

I say back packers because you can camp at both of them and Iain was asking for the post cost effective, which they are.
But you are right camping in the bush is better.

I say back packers because you can camp at both of them

oh, i didnt know that.

You can camp at both Fawlty Towers and Jolly Boys. They both have various different types of rooms too. All 4 of us said we'd rather stay at Jolly Boys next time if we head the 'backpacker' route. But if I drive up again, I'll rather camp at the Waterfront, no doubt about it.

Accomadation is cheap at any of those places. For 9 nights at Fawlty Towers I paid 90 US. But I wouldn't stay there again. Really poor kitchen facilities so we ate out all the time. The watering hole at Fawlty called Hippos serves top quality food, I must say. Camping at the Waterfront is 8 US dollars per night.

Where ever you go you can pay in Rands, Dollars or Kwacha..

The only downside of staying at the Waterfront is being far from town so you have to catch a taxi and they are not allowed to hang around there so you have to call one in which costs more.

Some German friends of ours are heading to the Zim side this week to check it out too. Should be cheaper from the Zim side but I'll find out from them.

Tips: If you drive up, get to the Martins Drift border as early as possible to make Kazungula Ferry later in the afteroon. Don't speed and always watch out for the donkeys, cows etc. The cops in Botswana make you pay on the spot so be warned! And in Pula only otherwise it's off to the police station.. Luckily we had Pula when we got caught.. hehe. We had only 15 minutes to spare at Kazungula and once we crossed the Zambezi we were really rushed on the other side. All kinds of fantastic things to pay like council levy, carbon tax, 3rd party insurance and paying for the pontoon. They all add up! I think R226 for 3rd party, R110 for pontoon, R10 council levy and I think about R150 carbon tax!! Do the booze (also known as baboon) cruise from the Waterfront. Drink as much as you can for the entire cruise.... extreme fun, extreme hang overs....


Final tip: NEVER exhange money on the street in Livingstone! Long story which you can read about in my articles which will come out at some stage Barclays Bank is very professional and efficient, otherwise there are plenty bureas.

Have fun and good luck!

Hey man thanks alot for all the help. Sounds awesome we definatly going up in december. Do you know What the water levels like then? thanks again

This year was a high water year and the level didn't drop as low as in 'normal' low water times. 12b was ok now but not low enough for it to be awesome. It will probably be gone when you get there. The wave (river left) after the huge hole on 8 should be working. You can play at 3 when the water gets higher and 9 becomes easier although that's a real beast. Otherwise read up on the internet on what works and what doesn't at high levels. I'm no Zambezi expert..

Hey guys does any one know if you have to get visas for either botswana or zambia with a south african passport?

You don't need a visa because those countries (and South Africa of course) belong to SADC. It's simple then at least.

www.tralac.org/scripts/content.php?id=3032

If it interests you...

sweet. Do u have any other advice for first timers headin up so we dont get ripped of or sumit?

sweet. Do u have any other advice for first timers headin up so we dont get ripped of or sumit?

Three things:
1. Learn to say \"NO\", coz you're gonna get hassled to buy a bunch of stuff.
2. Drink lots of Cane, its cheap there (especially at the market)
3. Avoid \"Patella's Gap\" at rapid #7, it will be working when you're there (its the last place you want to head on the river).

Other than that enjoy, its my favourite river and you're gonna have a blast.

Cheers
Scotty R

shot man

scottyr wrote:

Avoid \"Patella's Gap\" at rapid #7, it will be working when you're there (its the last place you want to head on the river).

If you're not 100% confident and you can't run rapids like 4, 5, 6 etc upright and heading where you want to be heading then consider portaging 7 when Patella's Gap is working. It is far harder to portage a rapid than to run it. Head into 'the Gap' and severe injury or death could result. Watch out. Don't be pressured into running anything.

Another tip: don't get washed up against the right wall on #4. I saw some people go there and it doesn't look like a good time. Although the line at the top is easier when the water is higher they say. Other than that have fun. It's not as bad as it looks.

thanks man