Anyone drive to Dande from Harare? What was it like?

I made the trip from Harare to Dande north with Rich Tabor. I thought it was one of the better parts of my trip. Granted that has been my only trip to Africa and I have not flown it. I know most will say charter and I get that, but I loved when we dropped into the valley. I had dreamed of that my whole life. It is also fun to see people walk down the middle of the road while you drive off the road in the donkey trail because it is a better road.
Either way you are going to Dande so it should be great.

Thanks Jeff SN,I wonder if you can drive in during March or during the early season with the wet conditions.When did you drive in?

I and my son did the road in October. Charlie, the CMS camp manager, drove us from Harare to Pedza Pasi and our PH drove us back. Both trips very enjoyable, but uneventful even though we passed a lot of police check points. However, I found that interesting from a westerner stand point.


Morten

quote:

Originally posted by shootaway:
Thanks Jeff SN,I wonder if you can drive in during March or during the early season with the wet conditions.When did you drive in?

Why not simply ask CMS their opinion if that's who you are hunting with?

I did not feel like waiting until tomorrow.I have been wanting to ask but put it off -being occupied with other things.Now with the trip approaching it re entered my head.It is nice to hear what others experienced too.

I have driven it a couple of times with Mike Payne and have thoroughly enjoyed it. Plus, it is a heck of a lot cheaper than flying!

Generally everybody is pushing for incredibly expensive charter flights for various reasons. I have always enjoyed the various drivings and it even saved me a lot of money.

Put on your snow mobile helmet, get on that short bus, and enjoy the ride.

I found the drive to be fun. Chartering in is convenient, but if time permits, flying gives you an idea just where you've been.
Besides, if you fly you'll miss those wonderful little bananas.

quote:

Originally posted by Marty:
Besides, if you fly you'll miss those wonderful little bananas.

. . . making me hungry Marty. Pretty sure I leave a trail of peelings that Hansel and Gretel could follow to camp.

Yup - Marty is correct - those bananas are very good. It is also nice to buy from the smiling ladies along the road.

My son thought the ride was terrific with the school kids dancing and screeming as we passed. Driving to camp gives you a relaxing time to build up the safari and hunting mode. Driving out gives you time to summarize everything and " play the film " in your head when it is fresh.

Surely the charter save time, and probably ok when hunting from same camp several times. I think I will prefer driving to a new area and camp unless the roads are terrible and longer than 5-8 hours. I am driving 8 hours back home to hunt red stags - for me just a part of the " being on my way to my hunt ".

Morten

You see nothing when you fly.
I drive whenever the option is there as seeing the land, villages, people, kids going to school, animals, weather, etc., is an important part of any hunting trip.
Cal

Jane and I drove into Dande East during the month of March. Bring some tennis balls and throw them out the window when you pass the school kids. I won't fly if I can drive. Don't think I would like to do the ride on the hi seat with no seatbelts. Also never drive the tar roads at night.

I enjoyed the drive. It really added to my experience. And yes, those bananas are good.

quote:

Originally posted by cal pappas:
You see nothing when you fly.
I drive whenever the option is there as seeing the land, villages, people, kids going to school, animals, weather, etc., is an important part of any hunting trip.
Cal

I could not agree more. I think the ride is an important part of the total safari experience. I'd much rather drive than fly when it is an option. Sadie and I are adding a road trip to our safari next year intentionally. There is far more to see in Africa than just the bush.

Mark

It comes down to time.

If you have more time than money, driving is great. I drove to camp several times in Zim, and once in Tanznia. Nothing tells you that you are in Africa quicker, but unfortunately, i don't have unlimited vacation time, and charter flights save a lot of time.

Air Charter Price - Road Charter Price = X Hunting days. Do the math and add those dollars to the reality that you will see more interesting stuff on the road than from the air.

JMHO

I would drive if you have the time it is a great opportunity to see the country.

Drive.... Like others, I did it in early season and went to Dande East. Nice trip and you get great views and pictures coming off the Escarpment down into the Zambezi valley there. The roads are a little rough but hey...thats part of the "charm" of Post Colonial Africa

If you do it late in the season, in an open top Land Drover.

Be warned ! it can be very unpleasant when it pisses rain the whole way back to Harare !

It looks like I will be driving.Thanks for the replies.

Driving is a lot cheaper and you really get to see the country.

quote:

Originally posted by shootaway:
It looks like I will be driving.Thanks for the replies.

We will say a prayer for Rich and/or Charlie.

I will say a prayer for Myles for when he has to see you again-he did not look so well when you were around him at the SCI convention.You are showing your true colors(def:an individuals true character as opposed to what might be portrayed) Mike-being a pain in the ass for everyone.

Does this mean you are not going to share with me the shooting ballerina dance steps? Dammit.

Holy SHIT Shootacow is coming back to the Dande..

Run bishes RUN!!!

quote:

being a pain in the ass for everyone.

Is the pot calling the kettle black here?
Cal

Take the drive. Years ago I took the train from Dar to Zambia, getting of at Kinyanguru to hunt MK1 in the Selous. Absolutely fantastic.

As I recall the cost was $14 for a compartment. As I was the last hunt of the season, the PH and I drove back, another great trip in itself.