So finally getting around to adding something new! This blogging thing takes a little time and effort hey! Hopefully things are looking positive as plans start to come together for the trip up in Jan.
There are three ways one can get across the Limpopo to Bulawayo, I can personally say that all three got me there safe and sound!
The airlines that I know fly straight to Bulawayo are British Airways and South African Airways. The average return price after looking through a few websites, range between R4500 to R5000.
There is also the option of flying to Harare, which offers more variety in terms of airlines and prices. The only downside is that is a 5 hour drive from Harare to Bulawayo.
The third option is to fly to Hwange National Park or Victoria Falls and then drive through to Bulawayo, which is about a 4 hour drive and the roads are very decent.
Another route is via Botswana, flying to Francistown and then taking a 2 and a half hour drive through the Ramokgewbana-Plumtree borders to Bulawayo. Not a bad option by the sounds of it but I havent tried this one to let you know for sure.
2. Bus
I took the bus on my very first visit to Candz! YOH! Its certainly the most feasible and affordable option, no doubt about that but it is a very long trip. On average a return bus trip will cost around R1500.
The bus will most probably travel through Beit Bridge to Bulawayo, be prepared to wait a while at this border and by a while it could take anywhere from a few hours to a day possibly.
The upside to the bus the fact that you can relax and watch a few movies to pass the time. At the border you'll need to fill out a form and getting your passport stamped. The best bit of advice in terms of the bus is to just chat with the folks who are on the bus with you because generally it wont be their first trip and then stick with them at the border. The bus liners available are Greyhound and inter-cape.
3. Driving
I think most guys will be driving up, so I gathered as much information as possible that I hope can help you in terms of budgeting, directions and just actually enjoying the experience of the ride up!
Candz and I have done the trip up a few times now, so we hope that we have best possible routes to take.
The distance from PMB via JHB via Bostwana to Bulawayo averages on about 1450kms.
The distance from PMB via JHB through Beit Bridge to Bulawayo is approximately 120 kms less than the route through Botswana and there's only one border to cross, but the distance you save travelling through Beit Bridge, will probably be more than tripled at waiting to get through the border, especially during the holiday season.
So definitely the route that I would suggest is the one going through Botswana. We have done the trip in one go before but driving 1460 odd kilometers can be a little push at the least and the Ramokgewbana-Plumtree borders open at 6am and close at 9pm. The roads in Botswana and from Plumtree to Bulwayo are in very good condition, only thing is that they are single lane, so be careful when overtaking and watch out for pedestrians.
So here are the details or as many details as possible showing directions, borders, signs, distances and fees that you'll encounter driving up! Everyone has a Garmin these days but I reckon this might be helpful to everyone :-)
There are three ways one can get across the Limpopo to Bulawayo, I can personally say that all three got me there safe and sound!
- Flying!
Flights are the quickest and if I must say, the easiest way to get to zim. There's no loooong border lines or pot-holes :) and within an 1 and a half you'll be touching down in Bulawayo or Victoria Falls.
The airlines that I know fly straight to Bulawayo are British Airways and South African Airways. The average return price after looking through a few websites, range between R4500 to R5000.
There is also the option of flying to Harare, which offers more variety in terms of airlines and prices. The only downside is that is a 5 hour drive from Harare to Bulawayo.
The third option is to fly to Hwange National Park or Victoria Falls and then drive through to Bulawayo, which is about a 4 hour drive and the roads are very decent.
Another route is via Botswana, flying to Francistown and then taking a 2 and a half hour drive through the Ramokgewbana-Plumtree borders to Bulawayo. Not a bad option by the sounds of it but I havent tried this one to let you know for sure.
2. Bus
I took the bus on my very first visit to Candz! YOH! Its certainly the most feasible and affordable option, no doubt about that but it is a very long trip. On average a return bus trip will cost around R1500.The bus will most probably travel through Beit Bridge to Bulawayo, be prepared to wait a while at this border and by a while it could take anywhere from a few hours to a day possibly.
The upside to the bus the fact that you can relax and watch a few movies to pass the time. At the border you'll need to fill out a form and getting your passport stamped. The best bit of advice in terms of the bus is to just chat with the folks who are on the bus with you because generally it wont be their first trip and then stick with them at the border. The bus liners available are Greyhound and inter-cape.
3. Driving
Candz and I have done the trip up a few times now, so we hope that we have best possible routes to take.
The distance from PMB via JHB via Bostwana to Bulawayo averages on about 1450kms.
The distance from PMB via JHB through Beit Bridge to Bulawayo is approximately 120 kms less than the route through Botswana and there's only one border to cross, but the distance you save travelling through Beit Bridge, will probably be more than tripled at waiting to get through the border, especially during the holiday season.
So definitely the route that I would suggest is the one going through Botswana. We have done the trip in one go before but driving 1460 odd kilometers can be a little push at the least and the Ramokgewbana-Plumtree borders open at 6am and close at 9pm. The roads in Botswana and from Plumtree to Bulwayo are in very good condition, only thing is that they are single lane, so be careful when overtaking and watch out for pedestrians.
- Tolls from Pietermaritzburg to JHB (N3) average on about: R174
- Tolls from JHB to Martin's Drift Border (RSA/Botswana) average about: R89
So here are the details or as many details as possible showing directions, borders, signs, distances and fees that you'll encounter driving up! Everyone has a Garmin these days but I reckon this might be helpful to everyone :-)
Zimbabwe
trip!
As a matter of interest:
- 1000km from PMB to Martins drift boarder,
- 1360km from PMB to plumtree boader (Botswana) - so it's 360km through Botswana
- 1460km from PMB to Bulawayo
From Johannesburg:
- take N1 all the way to Pretoria,
- keep going along the N1 to Polokwane (you will not go all the way to Polokwane)
- (first toll outside Pretoria) Pumulani Plaza R8.00 still along the N1.
- pass under bridge with restaurant in it - maxis
- (second plaza along) N1 Carousel plaza R38.00
- Possible sleep over point for some - Shangri-la hotel, just after Bela Bela (modimolle/marble hall turn off)
- N1 Kranskop toll R31.00
- stay on N1 until N11 mokopane turn off (68km from kransop toll)
- Nyl plaza R12,00 - go to the extreme left of the toll and take the N11 turn off to mokopane.
- take first left after toll and then turn right towards mokopane
- keep on this road into the city and turn left onto Nelson Mandela drive (N11) For some weird and unknown reason this town has chosen not to put up any street names! So please make use of any technology to help you to find Nelson Mandela Drive! Last resort, ask one of the locals :)
- stay on Nelson Mandela drive (N11) groblers bridge sign should be seen in 1km
- Border post: Groblers Bridge/Martins drift
- SA side (leaving RSA): stop at gate recieve gate ticket, stop at building go to customs
- Fill out declaration form go to immigration, (same building),stamp passport.
- Drive to gate hand in gate pass proceed to Botswana border.
- Botswana side: go to immigration stamp passport, fill out car registration, proceed to cashier at end of building (R180/ P120). Please note that you will have to pay extra for a trailer. Proceed to gate hand in form and get car checked!
- Bureau De change: one just before Groblers Bridge, one immediately after SA border (Limpopo bureau De change) and one at garage after Botswana border (500m). So don’t stress about Pula, but you can pay in rand at the border post.
- There are garages to fill petrol along the way but it is advisable to fill up at the garage directly after the border because they accept rand.
- After leaving border take A1 to Palapye the road veers to the right (beware of bad road for 7km).
- continue on A1 to Palapye\ Francistown.
- BEWARE OF SPEED LIMITS OFTEN DROPS TO 80KM/HR WHILE IN BOTSWANA
- Majestic five hotel 5km from Palapye (this is also looked like a nice place to sleep over if needs be for some travelling)
- right turn to Palapye then travel 10km (This should be at a T-junction)
- go through robot and continue on to Francistown on the A1 (do not take A141 to Palapye) continue straight to Francistown.
- When in Francistown:
- take second exit at first roundabout, (shell garage on the left) and continue straight into town.
- Take second exit at second roundabout and continue straight on this road (Blue jacket street).
- Eventually road veers to right. This is still the A1. Continue on this road, you will see a continuous row of blue street lamps in the middle. this road takes you to Plumtree boarder
- stay on the A1 (boarder called Ramokgwebana on sign posts). 95km to border.
Ramokgwebana (Bots) Plumtree (Zim) border: Botswana
side
- keep right, go first to vehicle registration office collect SARS form (BURS) fill in and get stamped.
- proceed to immigration, stamp passport and collect gate pass.
- hand gate pass in at gate on exit of bots border.
Zim border (Plumtree): keep right and
enter building:
- Zim border will cost aprox. R400 for a 1.4 Tata, the bigger the engine size and type of vehicle will influence price.
- get passport stamped at immigration, proceed to vehicle registration.
- fill out ZIMRA TIP (temp import permit) and proceed to calculation of duty/carbon tax. NB keep TIP safe and handy when travelling through Zim, as police at road blocks will ask for it!
- proceed to payment of tax. (all counters next to eachother).
- proceed to exit of border with all papers (including car pass (TIP), individual passes from immigration and vehicle registration book.)
- get checked by VID and enter Zimbabwe!!! J
Stay
straight on the main road, do not turn off, 100km to bulawayo.
Enjoy Your stay!
I will be adding information about car specifications and what to be aware of on the roads and that sort of thing....
Cool, getting really excited now... 4 months and counting now until our big day!
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