By the 10th April, Platjan and Zanzibar should be open, as they are now
and not much rain is expected in the catchment areas over the next few
weeks. Pontdrift might even be open to vehicles by then, but I wouldn't
bet on it.
You really need to check a day or so before driving. On the drive, you
can telephone Platjan border control, South African side, on :
+27 155 75 10 40 (locally 0155 75 10 40)
They will give you updates on all the crossings on the day.
I'll see if I can get you the phone numbers for Pontdrift and Zanzibar
too. Platjan is the nearest to Mashatu when Pontdrift is flooded.
I went up there at the end of January and went over a dry causeway at
Platjan on the way up, but was advised that the Motletsi was impassable
at Solomon's Wall, so detoured via Mothlaboneg and it took me 9 hours
from Johannesburg to the Mashatu workshop at Pontdrift, plus another
hour, after meeting my friend, to Mashatu Main Camp. On the way back, we
had information that Platjan and Zanzibar were flooded and closed, so
went back through Mothlaboneng, Bobanong to Martin's Drift, taking 12
hours. Both times included rest, refuel and lunch stops.
I was in Mashatu for five days, so it shows how conditions can change
quickly.
