Check-Ins

Spent three days with Ulisse. He offered us two different places where to camp, both for free. One in the campground out of the village and the second one next his house. We decided to stay next to his house and it was a great choice.
It is not as quiet as the other one during the day but we had the opportunity to spend time with him and his family and they showed us how they cook traditional meals and drinks.
He knows everyone there.
He also has a little shop where you can buy basic things, food and drinks.
We where able to fill up our water tank.
He can also arrange for you a 4x4 for 40 USD to get to volcano Telica.
We are very grateful to him and are happy to share it with the overland community.

We arrived there and they asked 10$ pp to enter the park, plus another 10$ pp to camp.
They also asked if it was our first time there and when we said yes, they said that the guide is mandatory because he will explain us how to use the sled board (another 10$ pp for the board) and the guide asked for 20$ for 4 people. It seemed a bit too expensive for what it is.
We argued with them as the price was double then what reported here in iOverlander.
They said the price changed on 8th May, just few days ago.
When they saw we were upset and about to leave they changed version saying it was 20$ per vehicle to camp with entrance fee included.

We felt mocked.
We said that we would camp there and go for the hiking instead to avoid paying the guide but they insisted that we need the guide also for hiking as it is our first visit.
The ranger was saying ridiculous things trying to convince us that we can’t go by ourselves, so we just left.

Save your money and if they ask, tell them that it’s not your first visit. Good luck.

Office is still here, but they recommended to buy the permits at the entry of the parks.

As described. Small trail off of hwy leads to 2 nice campsites. First is easy to get to, 2nd you wouldn't take anything wide. Not trailer or big rig friendly for either. Nice quiet private site.

Fr:Personne, seul bruit qu’on entend c’est l’autoroute. Quelques voitures passent mais rien de plus. Il est 22:40 je suis ici depuis 1h personne n’est venu me voir. Aucun panneau indiquant qu’on ne peux pas dormir
Eng: nobody, the only noice we hear is the highway. Some cars passed by but nothing else. Im here since an hour and nobody came see me. There is no signs telling us we cant sleep

We asked inside and still good to stay the night, just not in the front parking lot.

Picnic area at a lake beach - middle of forest surrounded by nature - picnic and braai area - you can swim here (also bin and toilets available)

Checked with manager and he said yes, and to park by the gas pumps. He also will tell the other manager and the security. Gas is open until 9:30. Should quiet down after that

Very nice and green Campsite. Flat area. We like it more than the Hill view Campsite. 200k or 8USD pppn.

Got the knock at 1:30am. Overnight at this Walmart not allowed any more.

Here is a Shelter in a old Park with no people around.

Excellent place to park for the night. Very much as described by others. Since we sleep in our minivan, we have a portable toilet which we put outside so it was a bit tricky in this more public and well lit place to use it discreetly. But it's a great Park and there were several other RVs there for the night.

they moved to the administrative building, picture. process was a bit complicated, but in the end we got an insurance for 1200 som.

Amazing place! Although on the weekend other campers were here, we felt completly alone. Stayed on nr. 12 with great sunset. Also the drive through the pan (dry season) from coming south was a pleasure. For us it was one of the best places in the last six months in Southern Africa.
We paid 505 pula as foreigners: 2 persons, 1 night, viewing deck and fire wood. For us it was worth the price.
If you don’t use the pittoilet please dig a hole, cover your … and burn the paper. It’s not nice to find smelling … behind the bushes. Thamk you!
Road from the south is a nice, little bumpy track, sometimes a little narrow, but also fun to drive.

Very nice place. The horses and oxen were in view from the camp when we were there. They even provide an open free WiFi

Excellent 4km paved dead road which was decommissioned. Very small clearing at walking bridge at end of small part of St. John River. Was ok for van, but larger vehicles or towed vehicles could get down at end and not have enough room to turn to go back. There are quite a few locals coming here swimming and fishing and said there are often boondockers. No signs posted saying no overnight. No signs at all. We have a 21 foot van and tow small trailer behind. We had no problems trurning at end because there were no locals parked in the small turning spot. It was early May. Peak summer could be different. There are reminants of previous campfires by the entrance to river, but would need to check NB FOREST watch to see if fires allowed. The locals here are mainly families!

We couldn’t find it in Lobito, maybe the location is wrong. There is only a hotel

At the moment no water in the Rivers. The nearly 60km gravel road are easy to drive. We did it in 2h 30min. First section some easy but slow hills, after that gravel road. Beautiful landscape there. You don’t need 4x4, just ground clearance

Update, the name of the workshop is Handicraft Garage

fantastic place, would recommend. plenty of space and the hike is very nice (some snakes though).
perfect spot imo

Parked in the dirt lot beside the store. No issues. Was a bit of traffic noise but overall a good one night stay.

no luck for us, said they did not have the system foreign cars. Sin factura also did not work.

spent the night here, arrived late afternoon and left 8:00 a.m. . beautiful quiet location, beautifully clean restrooms. however no Wi-Fi access even parked right next to the building, and the water bottle fill up station was out of order. other than the absence of those luxuries this was a great place to spend the night.

This is a small camping spot with fire place after leaving village of Gona to the north, river upstream.
The track to reach the spot is a bit small, tricky, rocky and with one narrow and steeper ford.
Remarks:
1. To reach this place you have to have a permit. Military checkpoint to check permit is about half way between village and camping spot.
2. Permit to get access to this area you have to get at Border Police station in village Oni. Please see my respective remark at Oni.
3. You can not proceed by car beyond this spot. Only walking into the valley.

This is the Border Police checkpoint if you want to drive up the valley (for a short distance and continue hiking). You have to present your permit plus passport/ID card.
Officers are very friendly and offer 24hours support as the checkpoint is run 24/7.
You can only drive 500m up the valley to the camp spot (see seperate entry). Beyond this point you can only hike up the valley.
Remark: Permits for this area you only get in Oni at Border Police Office. Check my respective entry at village of Oni.

This is less a viewpoint more a warning. In August 2023 a massive landslide from Bubistskali river flooded and destroyed the flat area of the village and many houses completly. It claimed the life of 32 people.
Massive earthworks were going on in May 2024. The whole flat area is covered with stones and rocks.
Some old ressorts at the side of the valley i. e. Stalin house are accessible by foot. Better don‘t drive if your car is not really capable for deep muddy tracks.
There are some nice wild camp spots if you don‘t cross the river but drive up Chanchaki river for 1 or 2km.

Camping bonito, limpo, piscina, lago. Só esqueceram de avisar que o misturador do chuveiro dá choque 😄

Pagamos 50,00 por pessoa.

I arrived in the speedboat from Oron and was initially told that I couldn’t enter and that I must enter via an airport. I argued with them and eventually got the chief of Police to tell immigration to stamp me in.
I had the sticker from Calabar

Easy to find a boat to Idenao, no need for assistance. I paid 30k. 7 stops along the way. I had to pay at 2 of them; 1k and 2k. I’ve just got a backpack.

Went in to get permission to stay overnight with our lass C and were told we could park anywhere we wanted and encouraged to park in section A where it is well lit up (section next to little pond and Wayfair across the way). Also told there was potable water we could use next to the metal cages. Filled up and had a great nights sleep.