Kalahari, Tsabong, Mabua

[ThysdJ]

Where are the guys who have travelled in this area a lot? Or who lives around there and can give some advice?

I am busy planning a trip to Mabuasehube, but lack of accommodation on the SA side of Kgalagadi forces us to take the Botswana route via Tsabong. I have no problem with that but I have a few questions. Getting to McCarthy's Rest is no problem, we'll go via the Karoo, Prieska, Kathu and on to McCarthy's Rest.

Now my question:
1) Can I take meat across the border into Botswana. I know Botswana Authorities say you can but what are your experiences?
2) Can I buy meat in Tsabong? What can I get in Tsabong? What can I expect in Tsabong?
3) Can I refuel at Tsabong? (Diesel 50ppm) I know I know, I'll settle for 500ppm...
4) Can I get Pula or do I pay with ZAR? I know I will probably be ripped off, but we are not going to spend a lot of time/money in BW, so to exchange large amounts of ZAR is not really feesible. We'll basically be shopping once..

We need fresh supplies for 10 days, and if we cannot take any accross, we need to find a place inside BW to restock. I have no problem with that, I just dont want to loose 10days worth of supplies unnecessarily.

We will be leaving Kgalagadi at Mata Mata into Namibia. From there on I am okay..

Anybody who did that trip before who can assist??

[Tokkie]

Ek ken nie Thabong nie, maar ek weet as jy die grens vang op die verkeerde dag kan hulle vleis afvat. daar sal beslis n vet post naby aan die grens wees. Probeer 00267 318 0774 Department of Wildlife and National Parks Botswana. Jy sukkel om deur te kom na hulle toe maar miskien kan hulle vir jou help.

[Jaco Versfeld]

Sorry, can't help with most of the questions

We travelled to Mabua going through Tshabong, about two/three years ago. Had endless problems to pay for fuel (petrol) due to us only having ZARs. We ended up trying to withdraw money from an ATM, but even that didn't help. Some garage owner/businessman then exchanged ZARs at a very "favourable" rate.

My take on it is to take Pula's with, not worth the hassle, and feeling you have been screwed big time with exchange rates ...

I think we took in meat into Botswana, but that was three years ago, and the legislation might have changed since.

There is a nice place to stay near Tshabong (20 km), on the other side, run by ex South Africans. I can ask my brother what the place is called, if you are interested.

I haven't bought meat etc in Botswana. In Namibia, I would say no problem - the Germans keep the guys on their toes, but in Botswana I would be a bit more careful

Sorry, don't think I answered your questions

Where are the guys who have travelled in this area a lot? Or who lives around there and can give some advice?

I am busy planning a trip to Mabuasehube, but lack of accommodation on the SA side of Kgalagadi forces us to take the Botswana route via Tsabong. I have no problem with that but I have a few questions. Getting to McCarthy's Rest is no problem, we'll go via the Karoo, Prieska, Kathu and on to McCarthy's Rest.

Now my question:
1) Can I take meat across the border into Botswana. I know Botswana Authorities say you can but what are your experiences?
2) Can I buy meat in Tsabong? What can I get in Tsabong? What can I expect in Tsabong?
3) Can I refuel at Tsabong? (Diesel 50ppm) I know I know, I'll settle for 500ppm...
4) Can I get Pula or do I pay with ZAR? I know I will probably be ripped off, but we are not going to spend a lot of time/money in BW, so to exchange large amounts of ZAR is not really feesible. We'll basically be shopping once..

We need fresh supplies for 10 days, and if we cannot take any accross, we need to find a place inside BW to restock. I have no problem with that, I just dont want to loose 10days worth of supplies unnecessarily.

We will be leaving Kgalagadi at Mata Mata into Namibia. From there on I am okay..

Anybody who did that trip before who can assist??

[Jaco Versfeld]

We didn't encounter a vet post, but that was 3 years ago. We entered at Mcarthy's rest, went to Tshabong (overnighted there) and went straight to Mabua...

The stretch between Tshabong and Mabua is very remote and desolate, so I suspect no vet posts will be set up there.

Ek ken nie Thabong nie, maar ek weet as jy die grens vang op die verkeerde dag kan hulle vleis afvat. daar sal beslis n vet post naby aan die grens wees. Probeer 00267 318 0774 Department of Wildlife and National Parks Botswana. Jy sukkel om deur te kom na hulle toe maar miskien kan hulle vir jou help.

[Tokkie]

O ja ruil maar Pula in SA jy sal minder verloor as jy dit weer kom terug ruil hier. Namibia se nuwe wette se ook:
No red meat or pork
No wood
No maise meal
2L beer or wine pp
1L spirits pp

[ThysdJ]

Okay I will get the Pulas...

I read up about Tsabong a little, seems like there are places where we can stock up..

[ThysdJ]

Thanks so long guys..

Zak, op pad terug kom le ons so 2 aande by jou oor op die rivier..

[Tokkie]

Dis reg oom. Stuur maar n sms nader aan die tyd dan sal ek seker maak ek is daar bo.

[ThysdJ]

Maak so Zak..

[cprinsloo]

Okay I will get the Pulas...

I read up about Tsabong a little, seems like there are places where we can stock up..

M2CW: Agree with the other guys on getting pulas. In some places you can use your credit card to buy fuel, not sure about Tsabong (bit remote). I wasn't in the shop next to the filling station itself, but according to my sis (which was) you should be able to stock up on everything you need, meat included. Make very sure about the regs for meat (rather stock up in Tsabong if unsure)!!!

What camps are you going to? Also, not all the camps have water (not even for showers), and we took our own drinking water.

Enjoy, there not many such remote places left!!

Cheers,

C

[ThysdJ]

Chris thanks for the input.

I got a lot of info on Tsabong from the 4x4Community Forum. We will take some meat from SA, about 2 day's worth. The rest we will source in Tsabong.

Yes, credit cards work for fuel, but I will get some Pulas. I will probably fuel up at Tsabong, but will assess the fuel situation when we get there. We are also taking 4 jerries along for extra fuel. If we fuel up in Tsabong and we have some left we score as fuel costs less in BW than in RSA. Or so I am told...

We are booking 4 nights at Mabua 2, and from there 1 night at Matopi in transit to Nossob and Mata Mata. From Mata Mata we head for Koes, Namibia...

We are preparing for 100% bush camp, so if we only find a tree we'll be happy.

[optirite]

1. No meat, fruit or veggies allowed accross the border.
2. Tshabong has fuel and shops, not huge stores but shops.
3. Generally Mastercard is not accepted but I have never had a problem with Visa, some garages will accept Visa card for fuel too.
4. Get some Pula. You need to pay to get across the border too.
5. Can overnight at Molopo park in SA before crossing. They are very close to the border.

Will be there in August so if not too late I will give further advice then.

[ThysdJ]

Appreciate it Mike. We'll be crossing the border after you came back so feedback will be welcome.

[Froll]

Zak, op pad terug kom le ons so 2 aande by jou oor op die rivier.. [/quote]

Thys, you can also let me know when you are at Umkulu and I will come and meet you guys.

[ThysdJ]

Zak, op pad terug kom le ons so 2 aande by jou oor op die rivier..

Thys, you can also let me know when you are at Umkulu and I will come and meet you guys.[/quote]
Will do so matey...

[3 Blind Monkeys]

Hi Thys, We are also going there but from twee rivieren side,does the meat laws still count if we just stay in the mabuesehube side of Botswana and not go out the camp?

[ThysdJ]

Johann if you enter from the Tweerivieren side and go to Mabua you dont have a problem as you are not doing a pukka border crossing into BW. Our problem is that we cannot get a booking in the Nossob/Polentswa area to act as a stop-over on our way to Mabua, and therefore we need to come in from the BW side.

I am not complaining, it takes us to places we havent been before, which is always part of the adventure.

[Tokkie]

Is daar nie plek by Mata Mata nie, ons ry gewoonlik Mata - Nossop(Lunch) dan slaap ons Matopi?

[ThysdJ]

Tokkie vir die tyd wat ons wil gaan is die hele KTFP behalwe Twee Rivieren uitgeboek aan die SA kant.. almal met hulle Nissan Tiida's is daar...

[3 Blind Monkeys]

Ons gaan volgende jaar einde april, wanneer gaan julle? Gaan ons weer sit en skim, jislaaik ek ken daai ou!

[ThysdJ]

Johann ons gaan lank voor daai.. Tussen Augustus en September. beplan volgende keer beter dat ons mekaar weer om 'n kampvuur erens raakloop..

BTW ons het Mabua 4 en Mpaya 1 kampplekke gekry. Blykbaar die lekkerstes..

[Tokkie]

Inside trick of the trade:
Die toer operators book al die kamp plekke uit lank voor die tyd om seker te maak as hulle toere het dat hulle plek kan kry. Baie van die kamp plekke gaan weer oop n week of so voor die tyd as hulle nie toere op daardie spesifieke datums het nie. Dit gebeur met al die parke reg oor Suidelike Afrika.

[ThysdJ]

Ek is wys van daai move Zak.. Maar ek het ander planne gemaak wat op die ou einde lekker gaan uitwerk.. Ons was al baie in Kgalagadi se SA parke so bietjie ander plekke sien maar dinge interresant..

[Haboob]

Thys,
The problem with buying meet there is that you can never be assured of the quality of the meat that you will be provided with, but from your local butcher you can hang your steak for a few weeks before cutting & packing. It is easier to find a "wegsteek plek" than it is to find good meat. I once bought meat that spoil t mealtimes for the whole holiday & you mostly get leave only once a year. You only need to take it out 5 km's from the check point/post & return it out of sight once through.
Going north in Bots you have no problem, but returning you get checked at all the veterinary points. Here just wrap in newspaper & hide your stash.
PM me if you need assistance.
Edge

[withilux]

Thys, maak vol by Hotazel en top weer op by McCarthys BP Garage. By die SA kant.
Jy kan vol maak in Tsabong maar verlede het nie een garage se kaart masjiene gewerk nie. Hou Pula byderhand.