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mozman
Administrator
3361 Posts |
 Posted - 03/10/2010 : 12:09:00
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Gavin posted this on 'The Site' branch:
"Anyone know if the limpopo at Mapai is ok to cross at the moment ? looking at crossing at the end of the month."
REPLY:
The average annual runoff of the Limpopo at Chokwe is around 370 cumecs (cubic metres per second). The 30 year average monthly flows usually peak during March. According to the DWAF website, the flow is currently about 100 cumecs but dropping very fast - predicted to be 60 cumecs by mid March. Data is not clear but from what I have found it seems that Limpopo is usually crossable at Pafuri and/or at Mapai (Xicumbane) when it's flow at Beitbridge is below 50 cumecs. Note however that the flow of the Limpopo is highly variable and a single very heavy storm anywhere in its catchment area at this time of the year (March to April) will probably increase the flow to uncrossable levels.
Of course you can find out whether anyone is or has crossed recently by calling the South African Police at the Pafuri border post: 013-735 8936 and
http://www.home-affairs.gov.za/land_border_posts.asp Even if vehicles are crossing the day before you leave - no guarantee that by the time you get there the Limpopo will be still crossable.
Possible, but not probable.
Mike |
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Gavin
uno
3 Posts |
Posted - 03/11/2010 : 04:50:21
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| Thanks Mike, will keep in touch with the Boarder post at Pafuri |
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mozman
Administrator
3361 Posts |
Posted - 03/11/2010 : 11:56:36
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Keen to know what you find out.
Mike |
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R.Freshman
bambino
5 Posts |
Posted - 04/06/2010 : 16:20:07
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quote:
[i]Originally posted by mozman[/i]
[br]Keen to know what you find out.
Mike
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mozman
Administrator
3361 Posts |
Posted - 04/07/2010 : 03:03:08
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All the numbers for Pafuri border that I have are either out of order or are never answered.
My feeling is the Limpopo will not be crossable in a 4x4 until around June, but am keeping my ear to the ground. Also there is the 'barge' at Mapai that takes local bakkies across. Charge is R350 (about), but not sure whether it could safely handle a large fully-laden 4x4.
Be the first to do it and send us the story and pics.
Mike |
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mozman
Administrator
3361 Posts |
Posted - 04/07/2010 : 03:21:20
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OK
I finally got through to the Pafuri border on 013 735 8936 and was told very definately that the 'Limpopo is very full and non-one is crossing', also that no-one has driven across this year yet. Also it seems that the Limpopo level is actually rising at the moment.
So pretty sure that your options are the barge, the detour through the Limpopo Park to Massingir, or the detour through Kruger or simply to go via Giriyondo - I phoned them at 013 735 8931 and was told the road was OK for 4x4's.
Mike |
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wanetaba
amigo
32 Posts |
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mozman
Administrator
3361 Posts |
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mozman
Administrator
3361 Posts |
Posted - 04/07/2010 : 05:45:32
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I was wondering whether Gavin tried to cross the Limpopo as planned in his posts above so I emailed him and he replied:
"Hi Mike
Unfortunately we were involved in a head on accident with my new Land Cruiser (only 2800 km on the clock) in Belfast only 200 km into our trip. The Land cruiser was written off and luckily we were not seriously injured. ”bull bars & winch are great as long as they are on your vehicle”. Change of plans, we left a few days later in our Honda CRV and decided to skip the top route and go through Giroyonda
Masinger Dam, over the Limpopo at Chokwe and onto the EN1 just North of Xai Xai. The roads were good but slow , especially for a soft 4x4. Road North of Xai Xai still a lot of road works 20-30 km but gets better toward Massinga. Pomene road 4x4 still recommended as we got stuck twice but managed to eventually get there. Trip going home via Guinjata bay , all roads accessible with a good soft 4x4
Boarder post was a nightmare , when we saw the 11 km queue we turned around and spent a great night in Maputo. Next day “Tuesday 6 “ all plain sailing through Boarder post and back to Kyalami.
Cheers
Gavin"
Mike |
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wanetaba
amigo
32 Posts |
Posted - 04/07/2010 : 08:57:10
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Sorry,
i dont know how old this news it... ;-) |
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Pafuri - Vilankulos crossing Limpopo end March
