Hi All,
A group of us will be setting off this weekend from Jhb for Ndumo, Kosi Bay, Maputo Elephant Reserve, Xai Xai (or thereabouts), then thinking of following the Limpopo, Olifantes to Masingir, finally back through Giryondo and Kruger.
We only have bookings for the KZN Parks facilities - the rest will be on a whim.
I am going to try to be disciplined and post an abbreviated trip report as we go (photos and tracklog to follow when we get back) using Tapatalk - as long as I have cell reception.
Also planning to see how Sygic on Android fares as a real life GPS.
Not sure how it will work out, but at least starting with good intentions.
I have been busy today doing some prep for the trip:
1. I am in the process of fitting a Pioneer Plastics water tank (model HT029 50 litre - NB cheaper at Makro than most other places) behind the place where the (2nd row) rear seats would be if I hadn't removed them already. The tank is of such dimensions that I should be able to keep it in place even when the 2nd row seats are put back. Fitting the tank created a problem because the top of the tank is higher than the shelf of the drawer system - so it has also involved a whole redesign of my FrontRunner drawer system.
Oh well, it needed redesigning anyway because it did not leave the well for the 3rd row seats clear - that's what happens when a fitment company just sommer fits a "standard" system without thinking about it properly - now my 3rd row seat well is fully accessible AND I can even fit he well cover.
I have made a shorter 12mm marine ply shelf (for lighter items) that fits behind the back of the newly installed Pioneer tank and am in the process of raising the original supawood shelf by 125mm - had to trim about 70mm off the depth of this shelf to allow for the rake of the 2nd row seats - obviously as the original shelf is now located higher the available space for shelf depth decreases. Also had to make a cutout in this shelf for the water tank filler cap - thank goodness for my jigsaw.
I am supporting this raised shelf by getting some aluminium plates bent by Aluminium Trading Company in Edenvale. I decided that this would be a better option than the Maizey tubing and Connect-It connectors (probably about the same weight, but takes less space and is way less work).
I collect those aluminium parts tomorrow - not bad - less than 24hour turnaround and all CNC cut and bent.
And yes, I will post some pics when its done.
2. Got a fold-flat hosepipe for filling the water tank from Outdoor Warehouse, along with Mozambique 3rd Party insurance (saves time at the border - and it's cheaper) and a second reflective vest - not absolutely necessary with only two people in the paj, but saves hassles with the overzealous Moz traffic cops.
3. Ordered some meticais from the bank - pick them up tomorrow.
4. And this morning the clip that holds the centre console lid down on the paj gave up the ghost - but fortunately Mitsu Sandton on William Nicol had the part in stock (and I picked up a spare radiator cap at the same time for my spares box).
5. Almost had my idea of using the Android Sygic GPS application snuffed at birth - was prompted to download an update and then just got a black screen of death (or so it seemed) - totally amazed by Sygic support - I submitted a web support request (and I am still only running a trial) and got a response from a real support person in about 15 minutes - blew me away - and back up and running chop chop.
Tomorrow I will test the water tank and the lay-flat hose and also fit the raised storage shelf.
Will post some pics soon.
1. I am in the process of fitting a Pioneer Plastics water tank (model HT029 50 litre - NB cheaper at Makro than most other places) behind the place where the (2nd row) rear seats would be if I hadn't removed them already. The tank is of such dimensions that I should be able to keep it in place even when the 2nd row seats are put back. Fitting the tank created a problem because the top of the tank is higher than the shelf of the drawer system - so it has also involved a whole redesign of my FrontRunner drawer system.
Oh well, it needed redesigning anyway because it did not leave the well for the 3rd row seats clear - that's what happens when a fitment company just sommer fits a "standard" system without thinking about it properly - now my 3rd row seat well is fully accessible AND I can even fit he well cover.
I have made a shorter 12mm marine ply shelf (for lighter items) that fits behind the back of the newly installed Pioneer tank and am in the process of raising the original supawood shelf by 125mm - had to trim about 70mm off the depth of this shelf to allow for the rake of the 2nd row seats - obviously as the original shelf is now located higher the available space for shelf depth decreases. Also had to make a cutout in this shelf for the water tank filler cap - thank goodness for my jigsaw.
I am supporting this raised shelf by getting some aluminium plates bent by Aluminium Trading Company in Edenvale. I decided that this would be a better option than the Maizey tubing and Connect-It connectors (probably about the same weight, but takes less space and is way less work).
I collect those aluminium parts tomorrow - not bad - less than 24hour turnaround and all CNC cut and bent.
And yes, I will post some pics when its done.
2. Got a fold-flat hosepipe for filling the water tank from Outdoor Warehouse, along with Mozambique 3rd Party insurance (saves time at the border - and it's cheaper) and a second reflective vest - not absolutely necessary with only two people in the paj, but saves hassles with the overzealous Moz traffic cops.
3. Ordered some meticais from the bank - pick them up tomorrow.
4. And this morning the clip that holds the centre console lid down on the paj gave up the ghost - but fortunately Mitsu Sandton on William Nicol had the part in stock (and I picked up a spare radiator cap at the same time for my spares box).
5. Almost had my idea of using the Android Sygic GPS application snuffed at birth - was prompted to download an update and then just got a black screen of death (or so it seemed) - totally amazed by Sygic support - I submitted a web support request (and I am still only running a trial) and got a response from a real support person in about 15 minutes - blew me away - and back up and running chop chop.
Tomorrow I will test the water tank and the lay-flat hose and also fit the raised storage shelf.
Will post some pics soon.
[quote="andrew.ashton"]Hi All,
A group of us will be setting off this weekend from Jhb for Ndumo, Kosi Bay, Maputo Elephant Reserve, Xai Xai (or thereabouts), then thinking of following the Limpopo, Olifantes to Masingir, finally back through Giryondo and Kruger.
We only have bookings for the KZN Parks facilities - the rest will be on a whim.
[quote]
Looks like a great trip Andrew! When we last returned from Moz via Giryondo, you had to have a booking in Kruger to enter. Maybe just confirm if this is still the case.
Enjoy!
Johan
A group of us will be setting off this weekend from Jhb for Ndumo, Kosi Bay, Maputo Elephant Reserve, Xai Xai (or thereabouts), then thinking of following the Limpopo, Olifantes to Masingir, finally back through Giryondo and Kruger.
We only have bookings for the KZN Parks facilities - the rest will be on a whim.
[quote]
Looks like a great trip Andrew! When we last returned from Moz via Giryondo, you had to have a booking in Kruger to enter. Maybe just confirm if this is still the case.
Enjoy!
Johan
Johan
Gen 4 GLX 30th Anniversary Edition (Gravel
)
VW Tiguan 2.0TDi (Tar
)
Bushlapa Boabab 4.2 in tow
Gen 4 GLX 30th Anniversary Edition (Gravel
)VW Tiguan 2.0TDi (Tar
)Bushlapa Boabab 4.2 in tow
Thanks Johan, appreciate the tip - I will follow through - maybe our Wild Card will help.LowRange wrote:andrew.ashton wrote:Hi All,
Looks like a great trip Andrew! When we last returned from Moz via Giryondo, you had to have a booking in Kruger to enter. Maybe just confirm if this is still the case.
Enjoy!
Johan