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Louisste
bambino
6 Posts |
 Posted - 06/07/2010 : 05:09:07
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Hi Mike
I posted this a new topic. It seems to be a very current issue. Any recent news i.r.o. the Limpopo level and are people crossing at either Mapai or Pafuri? |
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mozman
Administrator
3356 Posts |
Posted - 06/07/2010 : 09:03:34
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Yep, it's a 'burning' issue. Until we hear from folk who have tried, succesfully or not, to cross at either pafuri or Mapai, your best bet is Pafuri border police on 013 735 8936. The Police are on the SA side and will only be able to tell you if anyone is crossing the river, and will have no info on the availability of the tractor on the Moz side (to tow you through at Pafuri), or any other complicated details.
Be sure to ask what type of vehicle crossed as if it is a large truck, or Unimog, that is not helpful for decisions if your are in an ordinary 4x4, snorkel or no snorkel.
Be sure that as any info comes in, I will make sure mozguide is one fo the first (if not the first) place where it will appear.
Mike |
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louis
uno
1 Posts |
Posted - 06/11/2010 : 04:09:21
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Hi Mike
I have been following the topic on the Limpopo River crossing at Pafuri and/or Mapai. I intend to cross the Limpopo on the 17 june. Any news on the water level. Last time on 21 May you mentioned that the river was 1,2 m deep. Mark and Edgar have asked similar questions but it appears that they have chosen to reroute their trip and Limpopo crossing somewhere else.
Any comments from Mike, Mark or Edgar will be appreciated.
Carl |
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mozman
Administrator
3356 Posts |
Posted - 06/13/2010 : 13:00:40
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Still waiting to hear of any crossing and mozguiders will be first to know.
Mike |
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mozman
Administrator
3356 Posts |
Posted - 06/19/2010 : 15:20:20
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Sorry for delay in updating but have been in the Wolkberg Mountains (S. Africa) out of cell and internet range for a few days. On 18 June Thomas sent me this email: "Barge at Mapai working. River still to high. Barge max tar capacity 2 tons."
Thanks Thomas so I stil think that it could be 2 - 3 weeks before the Limpopo is crossable.
Mike |
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ACO
uno
4 Posts |
Posted - 06/23/2010 : 06:00:58
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| We're crossing on the 27th at Mapai (enroute to Machaila) with approx. 6 vehicles with trailers. Any recent updates on what the Limpopo looks like and what the costs are to make use of the Barge? |
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mozman
Administrator
3356 Posts |
Posted - 06/23/2010 : 07:18:58
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Hi
apart from phoning the Pafuri police, no news. Barge costs vary from R350 to R1000 depending on you bargaining skills and of course how desperate you are to cross.
Mike |
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ACO
uno
4 Posts |
Posted - 06/23/2010 : 10:40:04
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| We have called them, but same story as usual. Thanks for the reponse. |
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mozman
Administrator
3356 Posts |
Posted - 07/09/2010 : 10:08:07
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Just (July 09 at 1600, 2010) spoke to the Pafuri Police who assure me that no vehicles have yet driven through the Limpopo anywhere and that the homemade barge is still the only option. When I asked why no-one could drive through the Limpopo the answer was "because the river is too full".
Mike |
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cfourie
bambino
5 Posts |
Posted - 07/21/2010 : 03:33:15
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| Spoke to policeman this morning and he recons that the tractor is pulling people through the river. |
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mozman
Administrator
3356 Posts |
Posted - 07/21/2010 : 04:09:59
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Dankie meneer
assume that is at the Pafuri crossing? Any idea of how much they are charging?
Mike |
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cfourie
bambino
5 Posts |
Posted - 07/23/2010 : 05:04:45
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| No he did not mention it,I want to pass at Mapai on the 7th of August.I hope it would be passeble then. |
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mozman
Administrator
3356 Posts |
Posted - 07/23/2010 : 07:27:48
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My guess is it is the tractor at Pafuri. Belongs to the rural town council but the driver is always willing to make a buck on the side. I think he will start at US$100 to tow you - try to bargain this down to $50 and if he sticks then get in the car and say that you will try your luck at Mapai - he will probably then agree to a better price.
Note that this tractor at Pafuri (no tractor near Mapai to my knowledge), while big, powerful and fairly new, is often 'broken', needs a tyre to be fixed and you will have to provide diesel.
Mike |
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PierredW
amigo
12 Posts |
Posted - 08/11/2010 : 03:03:32
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| Any new news on the Limpopo crossing at Pafuri? We are planning to cross on 22 August. Solo vehicle, Cruiser p/u diesel with snorkel and double difflocks on 7.50x16 tyres, fairly heavily loaded. Do I stand a chance on my own or will I need the help of the tractor in which case I would rather go straight to Giriyondo. |
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mozman
Administrator
3356 Posts |
Posted - 08/11/2010 : 03:31:03
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Hi
again, until we hear directly from someone reliable who has crossed and in what vehicle, I cannot give a definite answer. So the second best option is to phone the Pafuri Police (search on this forum) and to ask whether anyone has crossed. My experience is that what the police say is a very good guide as to what to expect at Pafuri and at Mapai.
My guess is that with your particular vehicle, if you cross at the right point, you will have no problems.
Mike |
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mozman
Administrator
3356 Posts |
Posted - 08/13/2010 : 04:53:28
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Hi.
Friday 13 Aug, 11:00 local time: just off the phone to Pafuri where a person called Nersengani (policeman I think) informed me that vehicles have been driving through the Limpopo at Mapai since last week. He did say that some got stuck and there were locals helping where needed.
He also said that Zimbabwe cross-border traders in 2WD bakkies (pick-ups) with trailers were going through the border and usually they cross at Pafuri and enter Zim at Chicualacuala (Sanga).
The river level is dropping by the day.
Mike |
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Topic |
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Limpopo Crossing June
