September 3, 2019 – Chobe River to Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe

September 3, 2019 8:26 a.m.

Location: Kasane Travelodge

Weather: Clear Temp: 18C

Notes: This morning we’ve had a leisurely time because we don’t leave until 9am. Some thought on the Lodge: Even though it was modern-looking, there were some issues:
Our bathroom didn’t have a light. There was something wrong with the wiring that made the fan stay on and the led light glow with residual electricity when I turned on the bathroom light. The only way to stop the fan was to turn off the power in the room (take out the key card) and then put it back on.
Food was nothing to write home about. I had butter chicken last night that was close to inedible. Chicken was pre -cooked and tough.

September 3, 2019, 9:03 a.m.

Weather: clear Temp: 20C

Briefing: Leaving Botswana today and entering Zimbabwe. Have passports ready. Need to get visa at border. Carnets need to be stamped. Road tax needs to be paid. Everything can be paid in US dollars. 85kms to hotel in Vic Falls.

Entry located at: https://www.google.com/maps/@-17.8136520,25.1544112,100m/data=!3m1!1e3

September 3, 2019, 9:49 a.m.

Title: Botswana to Zimbabwe border

Notes: We arrived about 9:30am just behind a bus full of tourists. Still the check out of Botswana was easy and fast. While the riders were dealing with bike paperwork I stood out with the bikes.

The Zimbabwe immigration wasn’t difficult but there was confusion over what a double entry visa actually covered. It turns out it is only good for reentry from Zambia. This is to facilitate people wanting to see Victoria Falls from both sides. We were told we had to pay for the visa in american dollars but Bill asked if he could use Botswana money and was told yes. We were able to unload all the pulas we thought we were going to be stuck with. Yay!
Hugo did the test of the paperwork. Fin.11:40am

Cost:
300pula for food and drink

Segment 2 located at: https://www.google.com/maps/@-17.8150994,25.2618189,100m/data=!3m1!1e3

September 3, 2019, 12:46 p.m.

Title: Arrival Victoria Falls

Location: Kingdom Hotel

Weather: Clear Temp: 26C

Notes: It was a short trip from the border to our hotel. It was a longer trip getting to our room! Its a huge hotel and we are located on the second floor at the very back. We’ve been warned to keep our balcony door locked because the baboons will just walk right in given the opportunity. There is a man employed to keep the baboons on the other side of the fence with a little sling shot.
We had lunch of grilled ham and cheese sandwiches then went for a walk in the town in search of a laundry. There are many very tenacious hawkers who tried to sell us the usual mass produced souvenirs but we just kept telling them that we have no room for nicnacs because we’re on a motorcycle.
We found a laundry at the.Victoria Falls Rest camp and I couldn’t help thinking that I would rather have been staying there rather than the expensive and opulent castle that we are at. It’s beautiful but really over the top. The rest camp had modest but functional cabins, a restaurant called ‘In-a-belly’ that looked interesting and a laundry service that costs 5.00 per bag rather than 5.00 a shirt!
We walked as far as the entrance to the falls and then back to the hotel. The falls is for tomorrow.