Zimbabwe & the Zambezi Epic - Self Drive Road Trip (Itinerary and Guide)[Overlanding Zimbabwe]

[@dsmash447]

Fantastic trip, I really enjoyed this video. Looking forward to more of your safaris. Your narrative also gives useful info and insight.

[@TravelGigolo]

Thanks. Will be loading Botswana trips soon 👍🏾

[@FanieVeldSkoen10142]

Great road trip, your content and narrative is tops! Thanks heaps for sharing. Cheers.

[@TravelGigolo]

Thanks! Glad you're enjoying the channel. It's always nice to get positive feedback 🙏🏽

[@maphirimutshutshu2128]

This is beautiful

[@TravelGigolo]

Thanks, that was a great trip.

[@4xTouring]

Loved the video!

[@TravelGigolo]

Zim is a beautiful country!

[@4xTouring]

@@TravelGigolo absolutely. In my teens we used to spend a lot of time in Kariba/Chirundu. Lots of fond memories.

[@erwinkruger-haye2698]

awesome trip..always enjoy your videos. Looking forward to replicating some of it ( plus Chitake) somewhere in the next 2 years... I assume that you went through the Zimparks website with an itinery. Did you need to sit on the phone or was the email booking ok?

[@TravelGigolo]

Thanks, glad you enjoyed the episode. We would also like to go back and do Chitake and visit Mana again. We spoke directly to the lady who does the bookings at Zimparks. Christina Mhuriro [phone] Or try Ant Brown [e-mail] (manapools.com). He can do your bookings and assist with information etc. He is very knowledgeable.

[@tchiverevere]

Fantastic road trip. Is it possible to do Mana Pools with a 4X2 high clearance vehicle(Toyota Fortuner) during dry season?

[@TravelGigolo]

From my experience there, I would say yes, it's possible when it's dry. It's quite flat, and the sandy sections of road are not deep.

[@livingfortomorrow.]

So what would a trip like this cost ? round about cause there would be things like what vehicle one drives and how light it on fuel etc

[@TravelGigolo]

About R900 pppd all in. That includes fuel (which is our bigget cost), food, drinks, camping, park fees, border fees, PCR tests, etc. We don't go to restaurants so it's all self catering. Our vehicle is heavy on fuel (20l/100km) so fuel efficiency would make a significant difference.

[@livingfortomorrow.]

@@TravelGigolo that's not bad I'm looking forward to your Botswana series really like your content keep up your great work

[@BoX--HeaD]

Planning a similar trip in mid-May... not sure where. Got 3 weeks to kill.

[@TravelGigolo]

3 weeks is a good amount of time. My top 3 would be Hwange, Matusadona, and Mana Pools. Victoria Falls as well, May should be a good time. Our original itinerary was Matobo, Hwange, Maabwe, Chizarira, Matusadona, Mongwe(possibly via Kariba wall for a quick look), Mana, Great Zim, and return. When we return to Zimbabwe, we'll probably do the eastern highlands, and include Gonarezhou.

[@burlarajesh]

Thanks for your videos, I have a question I want to drive from Johannesburg to Hwange and Mana pools in a normal sedan(Honda Civic) this month(Jan 2023). Is this possible with road conditions in January? I know I would not be able to drive inside mana pools in a sedan in wet season now, I am thinking of hiring a walking safari guide and doing some photography on the walking safari, rest of the time just stay at the camp and try to photograph any animals that are close by.

[@TravelGigolo]

Hi there, I wouldn't recommend this in January with a Civic. It's the height of the rainy season. Although most of the distances are tar road, there are significant amounts of dirt road to get into the parks. In the dry season you maybe could do it, although it will be slow going on the dirt roads and in some places your vehicle clearance may be a constraint. In January, the roads will be muddy in some areas, and you could get stuck and/or damage your vehicle (especially the front overhang). The wildlife viewing is much better in the dry months too. My advice would be to do it much later in the year.

[@burlarajesh]

@@TravelGigolo Thanks a ton for your reply! Do you think at least Hwange is doable in Civic? Kruger is quite hot in January so want to escape the heat.

[@TravelGigolo]

The dirt roads to enter the parks are the problem. They will have muddy patches if you arrive when it has recently rained. It would be a gamble. Also note that these are further north than Kruger, so they may be hotter (especially Mana Pools), but that is difficult to predict.

[@burlarajesh]

@@TravelGigolo Thank you, very much indeed!