Zimbabwe
Mana Pools NP. Second gate to the park. No time limit at this gate and from here the road will get a bit better (when not in the wet season).
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If you’d want to drive to Chitake from here for a visit, you should pay $50/pp (!) for a day visit permit. We naturally said no, drove to main camp and just booked Chitake campsite 1 for the walk-in price.
Report Check-InThis gate is called Nyakasikane
We wanted to turn right and drive the ‚security road‘ via Mkanga, Angwa Bridge, Mashumbi Pools and Mahuve to Guruve (ie without driving to Mana Pools) and obtained the necessary permit at the Marongora PWMA Office. We asked both at the VicFalls and the Marongora Office if we were subject to pay fees - Answer: No, it is free.
Arriving at Nyakasikane Checkpoint, the lady demanded both conservation as well as vehicle fees (US$ 20 pp + 30 for the big rig)
A long discussion started, them reasoning that we were passing thru a part of the NP area, we arguing that we inquired at two PWMA offices and charging us now is against good faith. After one hour and several phone calls, we were allowed to drive without paying.
We later checked with a. couple of people who are active and well connected in the tourism business in the greater area of Mana Pools (people we had already met before we approached Nyakasikane Gate) and we asked them for their opinion, i.e. if, according to their knowledge and experience, driving that transit route was subject to the payment of conservation and vehicle fees.
Universally, they said: No
The route is not really scenic: mostly bush, some big baobabs, didnt see any wildlife … but over long parts it is very rough and sometimes very narrow (bushes) and lonely (we didnt see anybody till Mkanga). Allow enough time for 160 km to Mashumbi Pools, from where it is getting better. Decent tar road afterwards towards Guruve.
Report Check-InHere you turn left to mana pools. If the card machine wasn't working in mana pools you also pay here. Friendly staff, no inspections or anything.
Report Check-InMana Pools NP. Second gate to the park. No time limit at this gate and from here the road will get a bit better (i.e. When not in the wet season)
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