SHALIMPO ~ how to travel to the Northern Tuli Game Reserve - Limpopo Botswana

DIRECTIONS TO SHALIMPO

Driving from Johannesburg
From Johannesburg or Pretoria, take the N1 north to Polokwane (Pietersburg). From Polokwane (Pietersburg) follow the R521 via Dendron, Vivo and Alldays to Pontdrift (see maps). The journey by road takes roughly 5 hours from Johannesburg. Our Safari Guide will await your arrival at Pont Drift. It is advisable for guests to arrive at Pont drift at around 14:00 hrs so as to leave enough time for border formalities etc. so it would be wise to plan to leave Johannesburg at around 9:00am which should give you ample travel time. Guests can leave their vehicles in the parking area within the police enclosure on the South African side of the border and cross the Limpopo River either on the cable car or the Shalimpo vehicle (the cable car is used when the Limpopo is flowing and costs 30 pula). Once across the border in Botswana, it takes about an hour to travel the 30 kilometres to Shalimpo.

The Pontdrift border post is open between 8:00am and 4:00pm. Please note that the border post adheres strictly to their times. There are various accommodations alternatives if you can not make the border times, please advise us in good time if you will not be able to make the border times and we can then assist you with alternate arrangements.

Weather Permitting
When the roads become impassable due to heavy rains, your visit to Shalimpo will have to be cancelled. This can sometimes happen on short notice. In this event you will be fully re-reimbursed, or you can make another reservation.

Flying to the Northern Tuli Game Reserve
By arrangement, guests can also use the Limpopo Valley Airfield when visiting Shalimpo. For information and rates on charter flights, please contact us. Please note that all flights into the Limpopo Valley Airfield must be noted with the officials at LVA, at least 24hrs in advance, by fax on +267 264 5 263. Should the fax be unreachable please call Limpopo Valley Access on +267 264 5 321 telephonically.

Indemnity Form
On arrival at the Pont Drift border post / Limpopo Valley Airfield all visitors over the age of 18 years must hand over the signed Shalimpo's indemnity form. This indemnity must be handed to our Safari Guide, before guests can continue their journey to the lodge.

Pula & Passports
We suggest that you take some Botswana currency with you. This would be used to pay duties at the border post and for purchasing curios or tipping of the staff. Please remember that passports must be produced at the Pont Drift border post on both the South African and the Botswana sides of the Limpopo river. Some nationalities may require a visa, please advise us if you are unsure with regards to visa requirements for Botswana and we will confirm if any visa requirements are necessary.

Customs
At the border posts you will be asked to declare all money, food, soft and alcoholic drinks, and may have to pay duty on such items. Please note that no chicken, eggs or pork are allowed to cross the border into the reserve. Please make arrangements with us should you require Shalimpo to pre - purchase supplies on your behalf.