Burchell's on Tour 2009

17th October – Zimbabwe & MALARIA

2009-10-22T09:33:00.000-07:00

We crossed the border a Mutare, the only problem is that the officials were adamant that they needed the exact address of where were going to stay. This with the help of some local self employed “Agents” and a few dollars was sorted out within about 15 minutes. They even forgot to charge us for carbon tax, even though we asked a couple of times if that was all we had to do, they were more interested in making sure that each department we went to had stamped our gate pass. Just saved $25. Then we went and met Mike and Elsie Jahme who had put us up in Kariba for a few nights when the trailer shock mountings were being replaced. They are absolutely fantastic people who reminded us of the early Rhodesians’. They met us in town where we dropped our Prado and trailer off at Elsie’s moms house and they took us for a braai at their friends place. Was awesome meeting so many wholesome souls. It made us really miss our family. We followed them for about 20K’s to their Tea/Avocado plantations where they showed us around before we wnet inside to our bedroom.

It was then that I got ill. Had to keep running to the loo and got very, very cold. I said I probably felt bad because the fish sandwich that I had for lunch was off. Anyway I went to soak in a very hot bath for about a hour then went to bed. I had a bad night with a sweating fever and vomiting my heart out. The next morning they told me what I didn’t want to know, - that I had Malaria. The made me take Coartem – which we had in our Medical kit, and made me stay in bed for a few days as I slowly recovered. They could not have done more for me. That, on top of the constant threat that they would be evicted from their farm any day and were constantly fighting their case in courts. They were classified as criminals as they were illegally occupying their own farm. Sounds insane. But the truth is that privately owned white farmers were still being evicted on a daily bases. They were now the only white farmers left in their area. This was terrifying for even us, whilst we were there and could feel the tension surrounding them. These are “salt of the earth people” and should not have to live like this. We plan to leave on Friday morning towards Beit Bridge. We still do not know how to thank Mike and Elsie as I can imagine what could have happened to me if we had been in a campsite whilst I contacted Malaria, with no doctor or hospital for more than a 100 k’s.

In the pics you'll see the one view looking from my bedroom window over one of their dam's. Also see the pic of Mikes new BMW 1200 Bike - yes he's also a "Biker"

16th October – Chicamba Dam

2009-10-22T09:31:00.000-07:00

We stayed in a Camps site here on the dam which was reasonable for a overnight stop but the smell of smoke put us off and left the next morning. They however had very nice Rondavels and a restaurant which we didn’t go to as there was a power failure in the evening and we had frozen pooitjie in the freezer to use up. Note the smog in the background, the farm manager said that on some days you cant see the other side of the dam.

AFRICA IS BURNING

2009-10-22T09:22:00.000-07:00

AFRICA IS BURNING

Since we left South Africa, we had seen Firewood and Charcoal for sale on the side of the roads and also being carried on peoples’ heads, on bicycles and trucks, along the way through all the countries we had visited for thousands of kilometres. But I have never seen so much smoke and the burning of fields and vegetation as in Mozambique. The whole way from Malawi to Zimbabwe was just in flames with a solid haze of smoke everywhere. Everytime we got to the top of a rise we were greeted to more smoke and more flames everywhere as far as your eyes could see. Total devastation and an absolute disregard for the consequences of what they are doing to their own country, never mind what they are doing to the atmosphere. I was deeply saddened and terribly disappointed as it seemed no one was doing anything or even caring about it. Like a whole breed of pyromaniacs were let loose on a mission to destroy as much as they could in a short a time as possible, and here right on South Africa’s door step.

Evan the roads are stuffed in places. Mozambique has gone to the dogs

14th October – Zomba Plateau

2009-10-22T09:18:00.000-07:00

We were told that there was a good stop over at the Lilongwe Nat Park south of Malawi so we thought it was on our way to Mozambique anyway so we would try it. Well the camp site was not up to much and spent a while driving around in 38 deg heat and decided then to go up to the Zomba Plateau which is a much higher altitude and is a state forest mountain. The camp side was pretty run down but was great being only 15 deg. On the was up we were amaized to see wood cutters with bicycles so overloaded with fire wood with no space for the rider other than to walk down next to the bike with one hand holding the load upright and the other on the handle bar holding the brakes on. They must have had about 400 pieces of wood, I would say close to half a bakkie load on each bicycle. However we stayed the night and left early next morning to cross the border into Mozambique at Mwanza. The crossing was easy and we headed down the Tete corridor to the Zimbabwe border at Mutare 2 days away. We stayed on the other side of the bridge that crosses the Zambezi river, at Zambezi Lodge in a gr8 air conditioned bedroom as it was very hot here. That night Colleen and I had the biggest prawns LM style peri peri we have ever had.

12th October – Senga Bay Cool Runnings

2009-10-22T09:07:00.001-07:00

We left Mike that morning with sore hearts as we already had a bond with him – what an interesting man, as he was going off to South Lluanda Zambia and we were going to Cool Runnings, where Jane stone spent a month there as well as the couple from Oudshoorn - Jan and Lisa (who we met at Chitimba). So we were looking forward to something really special and I must say we were disappointed. Although the place was fully grassed (the only plus) it was very small so you had to camp ontop of each other. The Owners Sam’s house and the restaurant was above the beachfront but blocking the view and the off shore breeze from the campers. We came here to see Lake Malawi but unless you went to the pub or walked along the beach you were hidden from the view – which is why we came here in the first place. All the other sites that we had stayed at including Kenya and Tanzania had a view site of some sort, be it a river, sea or lake. As Colleen said it felt like we were camping in someone’s back yard, and that we could do at home.
We met up with Amy and Paul – the New Zealand couple the we met the morning we arrived at Chitimba. We were excited to see each other and had a good few days with them and even did a dive with them on lizard Island. My first fresh water “Altitude dive”, another point towards my advanced dive certificate. We also took some items of stuff for them to go to Cape Town to make there back packs a little lighter which they will collect when they come stay with us in November. They were on their was to South Lluangwa and then Bots and Namibia. They had back packed from Europe through Sudan and Ethiopia all on local busses, Amazing.
Also to arrive were a german couple in there groot Trok, they had been travelling Africa for 3 ½ years down the west coast and were now on their way up the east coast.

11th October – Chinteche2

2009-10-22T09:01:00.000-07:00

At Chinteche us with a guy by the name of Mike Marsh driving a TDI with RTT (Roof Top Tent) and Wolf Stainless steel towing a trailer. At first I thought he was traveling with others. I found him very friendly and joined him for supper with Dave and Eva. It turns out that Mike (as retired Gen.. Manager Old Mutual - Kenya and lives at Jakkelsfontein - westcoast) Was on a trip with his wife Jakkie years and went diving off a little island south of Malawi and on the way up to the surface his wife had a heart attack and by the time they reached the shore she had died. And here we are sitting with this most amazing guy in his mid 60's and only a month ago lost his lifelong partner, and he has just returned from Burying his wife back home all alone to continue on their trip. Our Hearst really went out to Mike (who has 2 sons) and stayed an extra day just to be with him.

10th October – Chintheche

2009-10-20T07:26:00.000-07:00

The road to Chinteche from Chitimba although only 260 k’s was slow going and over a beautiful but very steep pass, of which several trucks had over turned. One was over half way across the road lying on it’s side which made passing a struggle, especially for the trucks ahead of us. We are staying at Chintheche Inn. Funny thing is when we stayed at Sunrise beach in Dar es Salaam, we met briefly, a South African couple from Durbs – Dave and Eva – who mentioned they were in the hotel trade and were touring for 6 months and on their way to Mozambique. When we booked in here at Chintheche a pretty blonde with a big smile said “I’m sure we have met” well within a minute or so we established that we met at Dar. She said that her and Dave had their holiday cut short because the Hotel Group management need them for a short term to manage Chitheche Inn. Again, a small world. This is 5 star camping. You just don’t get better than this. (It is also a hotel with lovely cabin style rooms. On the lake under a big Mango tree gentle breeze to keep the otherwise scorching heat off us, with clean, classy ablutions. Today it’s only 12 o’clock and we have already been swimming twice in the crystal clear water. There is a bit of a swell running with waves of about 2/3 foot to make things a bit more real, as it feels like we are on the sea instead of a lake. Some useless info, Think of the Calendar – the lake is 365 miles long 52 miles wide and has 12 rivers flow into it. Now you know why this lake feels like a deep blue ocean with tropical shores. If anyone needs to slack out and doesn’t particularly want to see wild life then Malawi is the place for them. Beautiful white beaches and crystal blue waters. We will be coming again for sure, maybe even next year.
Also Camping in Chintheche were a german couple who come to Africa once a year for 2 months. They keep their 1982 Landcruiser 3B diesel in Lusaka while they are away and fly in every year. Not a bad Idea, he says he’s been here for 8 years doing different trips.

6th October Chitemba beach Campsite

2009-10-20T07:21:00.000-07:00

We made good time from Kisolonga and had the quickest border crossing ever. Form exiting Tanzania to leaving the Malawi Immigration was only 20 minutes. I challenge anyone to beat that. We arrived at Chitembe, must say the first time on our way up we didn’t stop here because the sign and road looked suspect, but after hearing the name mentioned by fellow travellers we came straight here. And what a surprise, very much like Pepeoni Beach camp in Tanga south Mombasa. It’s run by a Dutch couple Eddie and wife. On the lake, nice big trees close to swim, with a lovely bar and restaurant. Also we camped on GRASS, meaning Kikuyu. No more dirty dust feet, which by now we had plenty of. We met a south African couple Jan and Liza – in their mid 40’s (our age He he) and spent 4 days here. They had been at cool Runnings with Jane Stone and travel mate Doug. So all the Skinner was flowing. Short story is that Jane got involved with a guy from UK (Scotland) and dropped Doug to camp on his own for a while, and moved off with this oak. Then came back picked up Doug and shot off to Durban to drop Doug at his home with her Cruiser, flew to cape Town to pick up her anti safari clothes and flew straight over to UK. How’s that for skinner? Anyway we are leaving now going south to Chintheche and then to Cool Runnings then on to SA.

5th October – Kinsolonga Farm.

2009-10-20T07:15:00.000-07:00

Again we stayed here as on our way up but this time stayed 2 nights. This is a don’t miss stop. The very best for a couple of nights stop over. If I ever built a camp I would do it on this basis. Its 60k’s south of Iringa, so in a good position just outside Ruaha and a good stop before going to Malawi.

2nd October – Ruaha National Park

2009-10-20T07:10:00.000-07:00

Although the Tanzanian Park fees are flipping high on top of which the car cost $40 a day - F@$rk#% - I could not understand why it costs $30 per person to camp. A banda ( a room with 2 beds) cost $20 pppn and an en suite bedroom with communal kitchen cost $30 pppn. I told them they are trying to discourage visitors and camping. We camped anyway. It is actually one of the best Parks for came viewing I’ve seen. I would say similar to south Luangwa which is also on a river. We saw an amazingly beautiful leopard in a tree right next to us and eventually decided to move off – so I got a few pics of it as it came down and then it was gone – nowhere to be found. She was pristine, not often seen like this in the middle of the day. We spent 2 nights there and there workshop rewelded to trailer’s top shock mounting on which had broken on the way in. All Tanzanian and Kenyan parks roads are hectic. The National roads Dept say the parks must sort out there own roads but parks boards say they don’t have the funding. Meanwhile we just stuff up our vehicles and trailers.

1st October – Tanga Riots

2009-10-20T06:45:00.000-07:00

On Thursday morning we left for Morogoro (our half way stop to Malawi) from Tanga at a place called Segera and were following two busses when all hell broke out. People were running around the busses with stones in their hands, Machetes’, clubs and all sorts of things, mostly young kids inspired by older types. They were shouting at us not to go any further or our windscreen would be smashed, so we stayed put for nearly 2 hours till the police and army arrived and fired shots in the town and they mob eventually dispersed. Colleen was so upset she had her cigarette in her mouth the wrong way around and was trying to light the filter. By this time there were hundreds of cars and busses behind us. It appeared that Shell had bought land to build a Garage and had evicted the people out of there houses. Even though they had been paid compensation they thought they were entitled to more. Typical.
We pushed on passed Morogoro to just before Iringa to a great camp called Baobab, on the small Ruaha river. A great place to stay – I can recommend it to anyone, also great rooms.

29th September – Tanga.

2009-10-20T06:27:00.000-07:00

South of Mombasa. We had one stop at Diani Bech Resort and Camp – a small place not on T4A or any other guide book but gr8 for a day or 2 then went on to Peponi Beach resort. Now this is a place you can chill at for a week or so. We stayed 2 nights as we wanted to get on to Malawi. The owners, Denys and Gilly Roberts who knew my uncle was great and we met some ex Capies (who now live in Knysna) who Colleen used to play tennis with 12 years ago. Lionel and June Willmore ( he is ex Unicef Investment Bank) they are travelling with a Challenger off road Caravan – the big one – I don’t know the model name. But they have not had one bit of problem with the suspension in 3 months travelling – and its independent coil spring. Just goes to show you – its possible. This is an awesome camp site on the sea shore with no hassles’ from the locals ( a big plus).

27th September – Kenya to Tanzania

2009-10-20T06:26:00.000-07:00

Malindi camp, the only camp left to stay (others all closed down) was not great but we had no choice and was only an overnighter anyway. The manager of the place arrived that night spaced out – on “Mirah”. He showed me some and I tried a piece. Its like thin and long shoots with a few little leaves that grow on a large tree. You strip off the skin of the shoot by pulling it through your teeth and chew on this skin – much like chewing tobacco – but is bitter as hell. You have to chew plenty of it for a few hours before the world gets a better place. I didn’t have the taste for it nor the inclination as by this stage I had paid the manager and he was off to a club, and it was a Sunday. This Mirah has taken off in northern Africa and is now spreading south. Apparently it only has a shelf life of 1 – 2 days and gets flown overnight all over the place even to London. This frightening stuff and is cheap. What next?

25th September – Lamu Island.

2009-10-20T06:16:00.000-07:00

Absolutely fabulous. It’s much better than we expected. We could have spent a week there instead of less than 2 days. Because it’s only 130 km’s from the Somali border we were advised not to go by road which is extremely bad and should be travelled in convoy with the army. So we went to the airport at Malindi, to enquire about the flight. Nevertheless 1 ½ hours later we were walking the streets of Lamu. Most of the old town originates from the 13th century with 90% of the streets no wider than a meter – yes only wide enough to walk past a donkey, and there are hundreds of them. We stayed at Amu House which was awesome at R280 per day for the 2 of us including breakfast. We got a guide who was born on the island so knew everything including everyone. We had a tour for about 4 hours until we could hardly walk anymore.
Jean Visser would like this part. That evening we went to a local restaurant to eat local food, (ofcourse), we just sat down and who should walk in? Robin and Dianna – the Lichtenstein couple we met in Dar es Salaam who Jean and Hannelie met in Ghana. Strange how these things happen – neither Robin and Dianna had any plans to go to Lamu and at that stage nor did we. However we had a wonderful evening and I gave them the “vissers” regards. Next morning we had a tour of Shella, the rich people’s side of the island. Lots of film people and including Princess Carolina and the CEO of Peugot have places (or should I say palaces) there.

19th Sept – Mombasa

2009-09-25T02:47:00.000-07:00

The roads from Navaisha through Nairobi to Mombasa were still being built. Nairobi was slow with a lot of traffic circles being manned by cops. The city itself looked very modern with fancy glassed high-rise buildings and more still in the process of being constructed. But after that the roads were particullaly bad as for each few kilo’s of new roads there was detour on really rough stuff whilst bridges and causeways were being constructed. These detour’s soured the whole trip. We had one overnight stop at Tsavo Inn, an old hotel – very colonial – but pleasant rooms and good food. What pissed me off was that locals pay 3000 K shillings for B&B and we have to pay $90 – that’s about 7200 KS. The next day we arrived at the "Royal Reserve Beach Club Hotel", just north of Mombasa at a place by the sea called Kikambala. A very fancy place indeed, with lots of things happening all the time. We had supper one evening to a local traditional dance group and we were even dragged in to join them on stage just for some embarrassing fun. It was strange to hear the Hotels disc jockey was playing gospel music all through super. I don’t think it was quite what the patrons had in mind by the bewildered looks of some of their faces but no- one complained and some it seemed enjoyed it. We met up with some South Africans, again, and often joined them at meal times or just chatting in the pool, which was often as it was very hot being not far from the equator. Colleen really loved it here – just up her ally. Tomorrow we go into the centre of Mombasa to have the Prado serviced having done 15000k’s since it’s last one. The staff wanted to wash the Prado – as by now it really looked worse for wear because all the accumulated mud and dust, but we told them to leave it alone as we wanted it to look like we’ve done a serious safari trip when we get home. However the manager did not want dirty looking vehicles at the entrance to their fancy resort and commanded them to wash it without us knowing. We were surprised when we saw it – and also a bit pissed off because maybe they rubbed the dirt over the paintwork and damaged the surface. We have been through a fair amount of heavy rain and that didn’t get the dirt off so only with rubbing could they get it clean. Anyway too late to cry over spilt milk. Gordon will have to sort it out when we get back home. There’s already a few extra scratches accumulated since we left, what with the collision with the taxi in Lusaka and a number of flying stones kicked up at us including a chipped windscreen, and rear bumper knock’s from the trailer hitch, all which is expected on a trip like this. I’ve been so laid back that I completed Riaan Manser’s biography "Around Africa on a Bicycle". This is a very inspiring book – not that I want to ride a bicycle – but that one can actually turn their dreams into reality. So the moral is – don’t stop dreaming.
Thursday I go on a double dive trip to the marine reserve which should be interesting as there’s a good chance of seeing a whale shark amongst other things. On Saturday we drive to Lamu +- 320k’s north from here and park the Prado and go by ferry over to Lamu Island for a few days. Lamu is a very old world place a bit like the old Lisbon, very narrow streets with the buildings on each side nearly touching each other . I think this will be the last time we spoil ourselves as its time to start thinking about going south to HOME!!!!.
I think we will leave by Tuesday from Lamu and start heading to Malawi, arriving there on about the 3rd October.

16th Sept = Navaisha

2009-09-25T02:46:00.000-07:00

We stayed at Fishermans Camp on Lake Navaisha. It's a very big Camp with a lot of big old Acacia trees with lots of grass to park on. We stayed 2 nights, the first night we got friendly with the manager and his wife - Brendan and Val, at the restaurant. She's Kenyan, English and he is Australian born ex. We all got fairly trashed that evening. After lots of coffee the next morning we cleaned up the trailer and sorted our clothing and bed linen because this was going to be the last night we were going to camp for about 10 days as we are going to our time share week in Mombasa, and then probably on to Lamu Island which I hear is much better than Zanzibar and far less touristy and much cheaper, which of course suits us nicely. The bird life here at Fishermans is the best so far. Fish eagles, Oriol's by the dozen, hoopoes, wood pecker and chiselling away all day, just to name a few.
It has just recently started to rain in Navaisha and was lush and green but the rest of the Rift Valley and throughout Kenya is exceptionally dry. They are having a serious drought. We saw quite a few (freshly) dead zebra on the side of the road after leaving Lake Bogoria, apparently because of starvation. The goats were fat, but most of the cattle were there showing all ribs from the lack of good grazing, and this seemed to be the norm throughout Kenya, very sad indeed.

14th Sept – Lake Baringo and Bogoria.

2009-09-25T02:40:00.000-07:00

The drive from Eldoret over and into the Rift Valley is remarkable. I think our highest point we were at was 2700 metres above see level, consider this when Gauteng and Table mountain top is about 1250 Metres. We stayed at Roberts Camp on Lake Baringo. I was not very impressed, but the bird life seemed good. There was also a big croc on the lake edge about 20 metres in front of us as well as some hippo’s. Although extremely hot I decided against going for a swim, He He. We met an ex South African and his Ausie wife who have been sailing for some months from Dubai (After living in Dubai for the last 8 years) to Seychelles, then decided they had enough of that and are now travelling Southern Africa before leaving to emigrate to Perth in Aus. They = Robert and Kate and 3 kids came over and joined us for a braai. We overdid it a bit that night and took awhile to get moving the next morning to Lake Bogoria which was only about 70 K’s away. But 70k’s can take 3 hours as we found out.
Well let me start by saying that I have never seen or imagined ever seeing SOOoooo many flamingos in my life. Millions upon millions. The lake is probably about 20k’s long and all the way were these hot water springs with boiling hot water/steam shooting out. I put my finger in the water and found out how hot it was – ouch. This would then run into the lake and cause algae to grow rapidly and all the flamingos would be at the lake edge eating this algae. We stayed at Fig Tree Camp, on the water, which is at the end of the lake and all the way were millions upon millions of flamingos. Incredible. I’m going back there one day, this must be one of the best high lights of our trip. A big Wow factor here. Fig Tree is really bush camping but at least they have a beautiful stream running at the end of the camp right next to us and there is a concreted bath about a 50 meter walk up the hill through these humongous fig trees. Very romantic, He he he as we found out. The air was 36 Degrees at 6 that night, is was so hot that the stream (and not steam) bath was very welcome. That night we sweated the whole night, just far too hot for us.
We woke up in the morning about 7 am only to see the most spectacular sight – it seemed that all the entire population of flamingos came to our side of the lake – right there in front of us. Absolutely marvellous.

13th Sept - Eldoret

2009-09-25T02:25:00.000-07:00

We landed up staying in Kampala = Red Chili camp – for 3 nights due to the favt that there was a "Political Riot" and 10 people died. At the same time all shops and factories were closed down and my springs were also locked inside one of these factories. However the Riots seem to subside by Saterday morning and I was very relieved when the mechanic turned up with my springs. I was so excited with helping him to fit then that I forgot to watch the rugby – NZ vs SA – which apparently we won. We then left for Jinja even though it was only 1½ hours drive – Kampala was now driving me crazy. This time we stayed at Eden Camp just up from Speke camp (which was where we stayed previously – on the rapids) but the Ablutions were not as atrocious as Speke’s.
Then on Sunday we crossed into Kenya and stayed at Naiberi Camp in Eldoret. This is probably one of the best laid out camps we have seen or stayed at. It’s a fairly new camp +- 4 years, but spectacular. I’ll defiantly recommend this camp especially if you have children with you. It’s on a river/stream has a massive swimming pool for the kids, a tunnel walk to go down to the pool or the bar/lounge/dinning room. This area feels like you are in a group of big caves in the evening, the ambiance is fantastic. We had like a special camping bay for us with our own lean-to kitchen/dining area, Very private.

6th Sept Entebee - Cindy goes home

2009-09-10T06:36:00.000-07:00

So this morning we dropped Cindy at the airport at 6:30 to fly home, We were of course rather sad, as we had a wonderful time enjoying her company, enthusiasm, and as a travelling companion for the last 2 weeks. When we got back to the camp, the heavens opened up and it rained, with thunder and lightening - ALL day.
The next morning we left for Murchison Falls Park., we had a great road all the way until the beginning of the park where it had just rained and we had wet red mud all over the Prado and the trailer. This part of the trip was bad. On the way we saw “Long horned” cattle. We also noticed that the East African baboons look much more furry than our “Chagma” local cape baboon. We stayed at Red Chilli (also same company as Red Chilli in Kampala.) The next day we discovered yet another NEW leaf spring on the trailer was broken. However we still went on the most fabulous boat ride for 3 hours up to the falls, on the “Nile River”. There was a fantastic amount of game all the way along the river. Buffalo were bathing in the water right next to the Hippo’s, crocs and warthogs in the back ground. In the pic you will see this giant Nile crocodile’s head is the same size as the Hippo’s head.
We spent 2 nights wonderful there, amazing bird life as well. We returned to Kampala the next day to have another spring fitted to the trailer, We found out that the mechanic’s assistant had “Graunched” the shakel up so tight that it could not move and hence the extra strain on the leaf spring caused it to brake.
Tomorrow we hope to head over to Kenya with our first stop at Lake Baringo (NW Nairobi) where apparently the Flamingos have been arriving in the millions. After that to Mombassa

3rd Sept – Kampala

2009-09-04T04:02:00.001-07:00

We had a short trip from Jinja to Kampala, 68k’s with good roads. Staying at “Red Chilli” – great place to stay at, lots of action. Its very well known. So I found a local mechanic and we stripped out the springs, the right hand trailer main leaf was broken on off on the shackle end and the bottom load blade was broken in two. I remember hitting a pot hole about 1,2m in diameter at about 80kph, just popped out of nowhere. On these East African roads, busses, Trucks and cars are continuously weaving from side to side avoiding pots holes and even going off the roads to avoid speed humps etc. We had supper at a small restaurant next to the camp with a German/Spanish ex south African born guy called Roth, who has been travelling for 3½ years. A very entertaining evening. Cindy went jolling with the youngsters to Bubbles club in town, and got home about 2am. Must have been a good evening. We met a guy from Switzerland travelling through Africa on a BMW bike, and now on his way back to Europe up the east coast, his name is Hans and met Hannelie and Jean in Spain and in Ghana. He sends his regards to the Vissers. Tomorrow we are going to Entebbe to drop Cindy at the airport on Sunday morning crackers – with or without the trailer. Then we come back to collect the trailer if all is well and go up to Murchison falls, NW Uganda.

1st Sept– Uganda - Jinja.

2009-09-04T03:48:00.001-07:00

After a 2 hour crossing into Uganda we had a beautiful road to Jinja. We stayed 9 k’s out of Jinja at bujagali falls – rapids to be exact, absolutely the most spectacular view to camp on. We were right on the river, with roaring rapids all around us. The camp site “Speke” was really run down, and I wondered why. So much they could do with this place the ablutions was disgusting – really cr@p. Filthy dirty and all the plumbing and sanitary is broken. I made enquiries only to find out that they are building a Hydro electric dam a Kilometre down stream and the whole area will be flooded in about 4 years. Cindy went white water rafting and had a fantastic time and met some new friends. Colleen and I went on a boat trip and tour. We were supposed to go fishing but the Boat owner didn’t have proper bait. They catch mainly Tilapia, which we had for supper the previous night at the camps restaurant, it was good and cooked nicely, not over done like most places. We stayed 2 nights there, fantastic , except the health risk when having to shower, even with my crocs on.

30th August - Maasai Mara

2009-09-04T03:44:00.000-07:00

We left Musoma to Sirari border post, Was easy peasy but then we hit the worst crappiest road or “No Road” for 150 k’s to Maasai Mara. At this stage all held together in one piece. Maasai Mara was not what we were expecting. Ok so they have the world renowned Wildebees migration crossing, We missed this by 3 days, however because the weather pattern has changed the Mara was low, and therefore not as many drowning as normal, funny they say the crocs don’t eat the drowned animals, they want to kill there own food. Most of the animals are drowned because the mass of them jumping and being pushed under by the mass. However the masses are much less these days only and couple hundred thousand at a time. We saw a number of big very big fat crocs and all the spoor of the wildebees and a number of carcases but not at the waters edge mostly I think they died from injuries sustained at the crossing of were attacked by lions when they came out of the Mara . Other than that if you imagine very large herds of cattle on a farm and replace the cattle with wildebees then that’s the Maasai Mara for you. Just large very large herds og wildebees cattle. The public campsite at $25 per head was in a dense bushy area but absolutely no facilities, not even a tap. So nor more Maasai mara for us. Then we left the Mara and went to Kericho and camped at the Tea Plantation Hotel, again the “No Roads” were so bad that we broke the trailers main spring blade. But we kept going all the way to Uganda. Buy now the trailer shock’s wers useless and the plastic sleeve cover had actually melted and all the oil bled out.

27th August - Serengeti

2009-09-04T03:40:00.001-07:00

We stayed at our pre-booked Tented camp “Wild Frontiers” camp - Makoma 2. Awesome loads of lions, cheetah Ellies, Giraffe, buffaloes, but again no Leopard. We took a look at the Seronera public camp sites( I think there are 4 camps) because we had read a lot of articles and were told of absolutely diabolical ablutions in Serengeti as a whole. We were pleasantly surprised as they were clean and neat, and hence the reason we stayed in the Tented camp at huge expense. The ablution blocks did not look old either, so maybe they have cleaned up there act a bit. Then we left to go to Maasai Mara in Kenya via Musoma. We camped on the beach on Lake Victoria at Tembo Hotel and Camp. It was hot and Colleen and I decided to take a swim. The water was clear but all the debris on the floor was distasteful, like tins and bottles left by the fishermen and others so we gave up on that one, but the setting was great with a stunning sunset. We were the only campers next to the Hotel – no overland back packers to bother us.

25th August - Kudu Camp – Ngorongoro

2009-09-04T03:32:00.001-07:00

We are now in Kudu Camp Park – Karatu, also very pretty with a gr8 bar and pretty gardens. This is because tomorrow we go into the Ngorongoro Crater and will stay there one night at Simba Camp A on the rim of the crater, and as Tanzanian Park fees are hellishly expensive we need to use up the 24 hour permit to our best advantage, this means going into the park at 11 am, drive to the camp, drop off the trailer, pick up out compulsory guide which is included in the $200 crater fees and spend the next 6 hours in the crater before coming out again the camp on the rim. Well to say the least the Crater is absolutely wonderful. We saw all, and I mean ALL, except leopard. Lots of lazy fat Lions lying belly up. Their was a hungry looking Cheetah waiting to catch it’s supper when it started to walk it had a very bad limp in it’s hind leg. Obviously it had been injured and hence the reason it looked hungry is it could not hunt. It is like a huge plain with game everywhere in huge quantities, Also their was water – although its the dry season -the lake is fed by a spring. The contrast from the rim down into the crater is vast, freezing cold on the rim at 2360m and very misty with a dense forest leading up the top. The crater is quite warm and dry, only one section has a forest which is beautiful and full of ellies and giraffe. Apparently it’s even nicer in the wet season as from November onwards the whole centre of the crater is filled up with millions of Pink Flamingoes. There were some there now but only a few thousand. One thing was that you got herds of cattle grazing amounst the wild game and the lions don’t go near the Maasai, apparently the smell of them and also their brightly coloured blankets scare the lions away. Amazing that Wild life and domesticated animals can live together in harmony. I wish people could do the same.

24th August - Arusha Town

2009-09-04T03:19:00.000-07:00

We left Pangani and arrived in Arusha, I must say it’s a lovely lush city, very pretty with lots and lots of gardens and parks. I think you could buy anything you wanted here – it’s a great shopping centre. We managed to eventually find the Wild Frontiers Office to confirm our booking to the Tented Camp Lodge in the Serengeti. This will be the first accommodation that we had had in 5 weeks other than camping. The guys there were fantastic with helping us to plan the next week of our trip. We then left and drove 25k’s to Snake Park Camp via the Zain Cell provider and bought a local sim card. We found that the use of the Sat Phone that Adolf lent us a bit restricting as the connections that we have had so far (about 25mins) are of very poor quality and we have to keep repeating ourselves with the signal coming and going.
Besides the Camp having a snake park – which we did not go and see -they also have some camels – not quite sure what they do with them, but better still they have a gr8 pub.
I found the owner of Snake Park Camp also has a workshop that repairs cruisers and he has also rebuilt 2 of them. One is a mid 60 FJ45 with 1F motor and the other is a “FJ43” see the pics, I could not establish the year model, but have posted some pics here. Someone please tell Adolf about the 43.

23rd August – Dar to Pangani Camp

2009-09-04T03:09:00.000-07:00

The ferry was rather quick and after drawing more $$$ from the ATM we were on our way to Snake Park Camp. It was more suited to backpackers but as it was only one night it had to do. I must say that the Police stops are everywhere, I would say about ever 20 k’s, but they are very great and are just inquisitive to know who we are and where we are going and a friendly “Welcome to Tanzania” a hand shake and we are off again to the next stop. I have never known a country with so many Speed Bumps, drives you crazy!!!! This was a lovely camp site on the river (Pangani) and again we had the place to our selves. By now Colleen and Cindy were really enjoying themselves. We passed plantation after plantation of Sisal plants. They had a jetty on the river and a chair that looked like a “long drop” at the end. I was about to try if when the girls could me in the act.

23th August – Dar es Salaam Battery problems

2009-09-04T02:51:00.000-07:00

Leaving this camp was difficult as we had made good friends here at Sunrise Beach camp in Dar es Salaam and was a gr8 place to unwind. However we left and Headed through the traffic to the ferry crossing. This is the first time we have taken the Prado and trailer on the ferry, previously we did the 39k circular stretch which took over an hour, but saying that one can also wait an hour of more to cross with the ferry. The reason why we had to go in to town centre today – Sunday is because I discovered that the Prado’s main engine battery was playing up over the last week as 2 cells were dead. Being Sunday the main suppliers were closed so had to use a back yard dealer, suspect, but we had little choice. It was not the exact same battery but from a 79 series cruiser – the terminals are on the opposite sides, however a bit of juggling around with the cables and it fitted. By now it was 11am and we still had 380 k’s to go to our next stop.

19th August Tanzania Dar es Salaam.

2009-08-22T08:46:00.000-07:00

We stopped over for a night at Mikumi National park, I would have preferred Ruaha but plan to do that on our way back when we have more time. Great small park, saw lots of giraffe’s with a two little ones and the mother all alone. We found the remains of the father. I don’t think they will be around much longer as we also spotted a big male lion near the front entrance not far from the Giraffe’s on the way in. Also Ellies, buffalo, hippo’s wilderbees, and bokkies as usual. Also saw the “Burchell Coucal”.
Next day we arrived at Dar es Salaam, everyone said the traffic was hectic so we expected the worst. All was okay and Colleen kept quiet and didn’t nag too much and left me to concentrate on the driving or should I say avoiding the traffic. We arrived at Sunset Hotel and camp on south beach. Jean Visser recommended this to us. We camped right on the beach under Coconut trees. We met two couples that Jean had met in Ghana. 1 couple are from Liechtenstein – Robin and Dianna they send their regards to Jean and Hannelie. Also we had a beach party with Steve and Roxy – ex South Africans but living in London who also met Jean and Hannelie in Ghana and are on their return trip up north through Africa. Also with us were an Australian couple Phil and Christy. We had a really great party with Colleen and Roxy trying to teaching each other to dance. This was after we had picked up Cindy from the airport and I think Colleen was very excited with her daughter being with us that Roxy and Colleen seemed to try and out drink each other. We got to bed at 1 am. The latest night so far.
Tomorrow the 23rd we head up to the Serengeti.

17th August - Tanzania (Rally Busses and Speed bumps)

2009-08-22T08:39:00.000-07:00

The climb up over the mountain was Hectic, straight up to 2100 Meters. We saw a number of burnt out wrecks of trucks that had gone off the road at some stage. On the way down the other side we followed a loaded taxi on the way down, that had burning brakes with smoke off all wheels – it smelt terrible. We were in second gear and holding back the load but only pressing brakes occasionally. We were waiting for the taxi to run away but it didn’t happen. Then we were caught doing 46km’s in a 30 zone. However I spoke my way out of that one with a warning as we didn’t have any local money, Phew – it’s just how you have to handle the cops – make them feel good and praise them and there country and have the odd laugh with them. We followed a truck loaded with Bananas with a cyclist hanging on the back taking a ride and breathing all the exhaust fumes in.
After this we have the normal highway which is actually one village after another. Everybody is busy trading along the road, you see their wares, which usually is fruit, tomatoes, potato’s, onions or whatever crop they are harvesting at the same time. They just leave them on the side of the road and when you stop they run out of their house to help you. All the time you drive through villages 3 small close speed bumps followed by a huge speed bump then through the village at either 30 or 50 KPH then another set of 3 speed bumps and you speed up to 80 or 90 then back down to 30 over more speed bumps. Drives you crazy. It take you 2 hours to do 100k’s – Africa travel time. But the busses they pass you over the speed bumps at about 70 instead of 30 – the limit – and stay on the right side and only move over for oncoming traffic. When on the “open road” which is narrow like a village road they have the foot to the floor over 120, bus after bus passing and sometimes we see them lying in the bush or smashed up. Crazy. We stopped at the Farm house lodge called “Kissolanzo” with camping. Fantastic - it is a old mud house that they used as the décor and built a thatch building around and over it. Great facilities and could have stayed a few days, great bird life.

15th August - Malawi - Bricks and Babies

2009-08-22T08:32:00.000-07:00

Coming into Malawi we were amazed to see so many bricks being baked. It seems that there is a rush for everyone to own and build their own brick house. They are streets ahead of us in building a house for each family. The main advantage that they have is there endless resources of clay. Each family it seems has clay either delivered to their plot or they just dig it out of the ground, then proceed to form the clay into bricks and pile them up and fire them – bake them.
The second thing is that every women walking along the road (and there are thousands of them busy walking – I don’t know where to and I don’t think they know either) has a baby on their back. They have a huge population explosion problem on there hands.
A terrible bumpy sandy village back road led us to a place - Nkhotakota called Sani camp. We thought we had the wrong address but when we arrived we were delighted to this – slightly run down – but beautiful place on the water “Lake Malawi” We had supper there with 3 young English guys taking a “Gap Year” by going around to the community schools and teaching the kids. That night we were nearly blown away by a gale force wind. About 1 o’clock in the morning we had to take down the awning and bang in some extra pegs.
The next morning we drove to Chitimba and stopped at Nikata bay. Very hippi’ish villiage, hectically busy because we were told the “sheep” came in from the island. We couldn’t work this out but thought they must be short of meat. Anyway later on after some more enquiries we discovered that “Sheep” is actually “SHIP” and that is there supply ship to all the traders. We met the owner of The Butterfly camp site and said we would come stay there on our return trip as we were just passing through, they also have a Dive centre there so I may go for a dive sometime.
We noticed two signs amongst the many which made us laugh. One was “Kaka Hotel” which seemed deserted and the other was “Shito Welding”. Our proposed camp site at Chitimba was not very good so we drove on a bit and went to “Sangilo Sactuary” Was excellent for a room to stay but not such a wonderful camp site as you camp in the owner’s back yard. But it was on the Lake and they had a fantastic tropical pub right on the beach in a little cove. I had a friendly chat to a Rasta man behind the bar.
The next morning we left early for the Tanzania border and flattened a goat or two that ran across the road. I didn’t stop but saw a brown goat on my side spinning in the road and Colleen saw a white one disappear under the bull bar. We were totally shocked and dumbfounded as what to do, I didn’t want any altercation with the locals so I headed as fast as I could to the border one hour away. We went through two police road blocks before the border and were sure we may have been reported and would be arrested. However we got through the border but only after running over a chicken, Just to add insult to the injury.

South Luanga 14th August

2009-08-14T11:08:00.000-07:00

14th August

South Luangwa

We left south Luangwa this afternoon heading back to Chipata – Mama Rula’s Camp site. We only spent 2 nights in S L which was fantastic. Plans changed a bit as we realizes we are running out of time. Met some Capetoneons – doctors – Anton and Jean …………..and also another couple Rory and Brenda Spence from PE. We were still with the English family and had great fun together. Wildlife Camp is fantastic. Right on the waters edge – the Luangwa river - Hippos grunting all day and night. We went for a night drive through the park last night, and saw what remained of a big pride of lions kill – buffalo. The lions all fat and fed and lying next to the side of the road in the grass doing nothing, so no so interesting watching sleeping lions. Colleen wasn’t interested in tickling the nearest ones tummy with a stick, just thought it would liven up things a bit. The next morning we took a drive in the Prado to around the park and as we approached the same pride we saw the night before they all started to walk towards us down the road. 3 little cubs were the best and one was even dragging a piece of cloth in its mouth – looked like the seat of someone’s pants. We counted 16 in all but only saw one male – Simba. We heard the big daddy roaring a bit deeper in the bush and sometimes the one cub also made a squeaky roar, I think he will have his own pride – Harem - one day. Also noticed one had a collar. It really is fantastic here as the park follows along the river and you can just park off along the banks for a few hours in absolute peace. We will come again and spend at least 5/6 days here, but we are off now to meet Cindy next Friday in Dar es Salaam just 1980 km’s away.

South Luangwa

2009-08-14T11:03:00.000-07:00

9th August

Zambia – South Luangwa

Being a Sunday it was not so busy and took us about an hour to get through the border at Chirunu. – again Carbon tax and Road insurance, We also got Comessa insurance for Tanzania and Kenya, but only for 30 days as we only got 30 days with Zambia. We stayed at Eureka overnight camp just before Lusaka. It was good and can recommend it. The next morning we went through Lusaka town centre – Not Recommended – and had a altercation with a Taxi. Only a small scratch on the bull bar but R1750 damage to his rear side. After agreeing a price with him and the panel beater we went to about 5 different banks to draw Kwatcha – the local currency. Then some shopping for beer and fresh veggies at a very nice Spar – which informed us that Zambia do not take “Debit Cards” – only Visa Credit cards. And this we found to be true. Then on to the Luangwa Bridge camp, which was about half way to Chipata. A nice place but a bit cramped with back packers and bikers. Also the place looks a bit run down. We met an English couple with their 22 year old son there. They were also going to south Luangwa so agreed to travel together but not in convoy. They were in a Cape town 80 cruiser hired from “Just Done IT”. The next day we are going to Chipata – MamaRula Camp, and then on to South Luangwa to camp at Wildlife Camp, said to be better than “Flatdogs”. That will be the 12th to about the 16th, where we will try to find a way to the Gr8 north road to Tanzania to collect Cindy from Dar es Selaam. Sounds like the English family might travel this section to the Gr8 NR with us, as the roads are said to be nonexistent and washed away buy the last floods. We will just have to see.

Mana Pools 5th August

2009-08-14T10:52:00.000-07:00

5th august

Mana Pools

We were glad that the suspension broke when it did because of all the help we got and the gravel road to Mana Pools after the Tar road is so badly corrugated for over 30 km’s that at times we were doing less than 5 kph and other times up to 40 only to slow down again to a virtual stop as everything shook to pieces. This road tested the “Newly Repaired” suspension which held together nicely, which is just as well because I had had enough of being a “bush Mechanic” by now.
The pools camp site – Nyamepi – although the ablutions are run down it is right on the banks of the Zambezi River. Elephant wonder through your camp all day picking at the trees, and Hyena scratch in you used braai. One night A Hyena tried to drag off our trailer cover which was lying on the ground with spare poles in it. We had to shout at it and shine my torch at it to chase it away – ugly thing. We saw Buffalo, lots of Ellies, Zebra, 4 lion cubs but had to get back to camp before we could see the parents, a few Hyena in the day as well as wild dogs and bush pigs. Lots of bird life – breading pairs of fish eagles, Bee eaters digging into the banks and millions of Scimitar billed Wood Hoopoe, squabbling in the trees. Not to mention the continuous orchestra of hippo’s, lion, and hyena singing in unison all night. Colleen said it’s like sleeping in Noah’s Ark. Met a few people their who gave us some good info on Zambia for us to look forwards to.
After 4 nights in Mana - Nymepi camp we left to got to Zambia. Again the road returning shock everything apart, even though we let the tyres down to 1,5 bar. Sometimes we were only doing idle speed and still shaking about. Eventually there was a huge thud and we stopped. We lost the tow hitch and the trailer was hanging on the ball by the safety chain – lucky. I ran back and picked up the hitch with both bolts sheared off. I was wearing a Black shirt and the Tsetse fly’s were all over me biting like mad. In the middle of the road I had to change my shirt to a white one and colleen sprayed us with Doom, it’s about the only thing that stopped them. Lucky I had two 10mm bolts in my box (but should have been 12mm) but did the job anyway. Then on to Chirundu, Zambia border crossing.

Kariba 31st July

2009-08-14T10:50:00.000-07:00

31st July.

Kariba

Just after leaving Masvinga (the Ruins) we got cell phone signal and called Colby to check if it was still ok to stay at his folks place in Banket, and wouls you believe it Colby was less than a Km away from us. Within 2 mins we met him and his new wife Anthea and her daughter – Kaylea at the garage where Colby had just done some repairs to his boat trailer wheel bearings. Never the less we stayed with them and his folks at Banket over looking a beautiful lake. What a lovely family they are, we all sat around the dining table having supper and enjoying each others company.
Next morning we were off to Kariba town to a private camp site called (Lake View) Lomangundi but spelt incorrectly as Romangundi on T4A ( Tracks 4 Africa). This is a very nice clean campsite 15 k’s outside Kariba Town, with reasonable ablutions – lots of trees and situated on the Lake shore. Again we were the only campers but were surrounded by private (mostly Holiday) homes with a few occupants. During the night we were surrounded by Hippo’s up to 11 one evening and it made braaiing a bit difficult because you had to keep watching your back and the fire at the same time. Although hippo’s are big, they creep up very quietly whilst eating the lawns. They don’t need petrol mowers here for their lawns. We can highly recommend this camp site to fellow travellers, it also has 24 hour security. Cost was $21 per night for the 2 of us.

3rd August.

Trailer Breakdown.

I looked under the trailer to see how the rewelded shock was doing and noticed the other shock had now broken off. Now I was getting really pissed off and noticed that the Shackle hanger was also broken / sheared right off. So now we have Major problems. I spoke to one of the local owners that were driving past us a quite often during the day busy helping to prepare the camp for the “Kariba Marathon’ this week-end. He suggested I go into Kariba town and speak to KB engineering (boat builders) I took off the shackle and the broken piece of the hanger and went to town, KB eng, said no problem they (Wilfred the black – forman) would make new shackle hangers for both sides and new Shock mounting plates which we would weld to the axle and make it stronger than Echo’s design and to make sure that they would never break again. When I cam back a local home owner Mike Jahme who was holidaying there at the time came past and offer his assistance. When I told him our problem he offered 2 their staff to help remove the axle. To cut alone storey short one side of the trailer fell on one of the workers . quickly the other worker and myself with the hilift jack got the guy out with only bruising to his foot – lucky nothing more serious. Some of the other locals came to out assistance and in no time had the axle off. Our heartiest thanks go out to Karva and Jerry who helped each and every time I asked, even though they had their hands full with the upcoming Marathon event. Then Mike cam along and said you cant stay here tonight whilst you are fixing the axle you better come stay with us, Colleen and I protested but with our rubber arms and depressed faces we could not resist and for the next to days we entertained by Mike and Elsie, fed three meals a day till we could eat no more or even drink any more nad even took us on a fabulous boat sundowners cruise. We lived like kings, and these we total strangers who just opened up their home to us. I must say that Jean Vissers suggestion to go through Zim to Zambia was the best ever. The Zimbabweans are fantastic people. We will definitely be back again. To Mike and Elsie, Thanks again and we will make every effort to meet up with you on your farm on our return trip. We hope and pray that the problems with you loosing your farm will resolve and you will be able to keep your farm after all.

Pics of the Ruins

2009-08-03T23:34:00.000-07:00

28th July Zimbabwe

2009-08-03T23:26:00.000-07:00

We headed for Matopo’s National park which is just before Bulawayo. A very peaceful campsite following a quiet slow drive from the border as we hardly even saw another vehicle. We chose this site because from Woodlands it was only 220 km’s, just in case it may have taken us longer through the border customs, and also it was too far to Masvinga (Zimbabwe Ruins) where we were going to stay the next night. It was so peaceful here, that I left Colleen alone, as she was writing notes in her diary , and took a walk for about an hour doing a bit of investigating and looking at the water fowl etc, on the dam. When I came back the sun was nearly down and Colleen said “She can feel her Soul healing”. This was quiet something as there was no one within about 5 km’s from us. No security, No village or people, no Parks board officials other than those at the entrance booking office 5 km’s away. WE WERE UTTERLY ALONE. We must have been crazy. Being alone like this in Africa!!!! Weren’t we frightened? The answer is No. It was just the most peaceful place.
Then a long drive to Masvinga and only arrived as the sun went down. We stayed at Kyle Lake (dam) Lodge / Camping site about 6 km’s from the Zimbabwe ruins. Although typical of all government and Zim Parks camping sites there is no HOT water. However they opened up a Chalet for us to use the hot showers and for Colleen to Wash her hair, this was wonderful. Here too we were the only campers, but they left us with a security guard for the night, his name was Clevermashirri. I asked him what that meant and he said Brilliant!!! Colleen gave him some supper and he went on his knees and clapped his hands together in thanks. I think it has been a long time since he has seen a plate of food like that.
The next morning we sent Clevermashirri on his way and decided that I was not going to drive but to take the day off. So Colleen spent a couple hours washing our dirty clothes and then we set off for the ruins. Well let me say that the Zimbabwe Ruins is absolutely fantastic as well as all the history that our Guide Kennedy told us. Well worth the visit even if it means going out of your way to go there. Tomorrow we set off for Banket near Chinoyi – about 85 km’s past Harare a total of 650km’s. It’s going to be a long day.

26th July Botswana

2009-08-03T23:23:00.000-07:00

We camped Sunday night at Kwa Nokeng after crossing the Botswana border post at Martins Drift (Grobblers Ridge) This campsite is just inside Botswana with nice ablutions. We then headed for Francistown and camped at Woodlands this was fantastic and upmarket ablutions. I noticed one of the shock lower mounting pins welding had broken, which was a bit disturbing as we had not really been on bad roads at this stage and Winelands Echo will hear about this when we get back. It was extremely cold during the night as the next morning we had to brush off the ice off the tent roof as we packed up. We then headed Francistown again and had the shock mounting rewelded and the other reinforced by a backyard mechanic, but very helpful as he was directed by me lying in the dirt under the trailer making sure he was doing a thorough job. Then onto the Plumtree border post to go into Zimbabwe. This post was easy and pretty well vacant to our delight, it made avoiding Beit Bridge a wise choice.

Trip preperations to bots

2009-08-03T23:19:00.000-07:00

Here our last night in GP, with sister in law Lorna

GP to Botswana to Zim.

2009-07-25T14:10:00.000-07:00

We stayed a few days - more shopping - and spending time with Colleens sister Lorna and her Husband Peter and their family - and what a lovely family they are too, and thanks for puting us up for a few nights (quite a few) and running around for us as well.

We are leaving tomorrow - Sunday - for the botswana border where we will be crossing at Martins Drift ( a quiet border post ) where we will also be camping. On monday we will go to Francistown and camp just out side of the town itself and on tuesday or wednesday we will go into Zim and stay just before Bullawayo and then go on to the Zimbabwe Ruins at Masvingo where we will stay before heading off to a place past Harare called Chinhoyi where we will stay with some people on a lake, then head off to the Mana Pools to really start our holiday. Mana Pools is on the Zim/Zambia border on the Zambesi river. This would be about the end of July unless we go to Lake Kariba for a few days but our main aim is to get up north fairly quickly to catch the Migration in the Serengeti (Tanzania)and Masai Mara in Kenya. but we have to pick up our daughter Cindy in Dar es Selaam on the 22nd of august who will be joining us for the migration. The lower part or South west Zambia we will do another time, but we will go traverse through Zambia to get to Tanzania.

Arriving in Gauteng

2009-07-25T14:04:00.000-07:00

Now on our way to GP we recieved a phone call that our landcruiser that we were waiting for (Imported from Sidney Aus, with 2 others )to arrive by container in GP had indeed done so and that we should try to get there ASAP. So with 180k's to go we did a reroute on our GPS at headed to south Joburg. We arrived just in time to see our 40 series LX 1984 landcruiser come out of the container. I have waited a long time for this and was very excited. This is a rebuild to be project for next year and when (Not if) I have the cash and time to do it.

Augrabies to Gauteng

2009-07-25T13:28:00.000-07:00

We left the next day from Augrabies after taking a walk to the fall. It is very well layed out and we could have stayed a few days but we had an appointment in GP on wendesday. So we headed past Kuruman - northern cape - and stayed at a little private game park called Kameelboom lodge, about 10k's before Vryburg. It is a fantastic place albeit a bit close to the national road, but they had springbok all around us and a couple of Eland's that ate out of Colleens hand and also a Emu which got very over friendly with me and I had to run away from it as it seemed to have rather amarous intentions. Now I know why the australians call their suspension systems - "Old man Emu". Colleen thought this was great fun and clicked away on the camera. I am not posting these pics as I didnt think it funny at all. Okay.... I'll show you one just before I ran away

The Augrabie Falls

2009-07-25T13:21:00.001-07:00

Karoo and Augrabie Falls

2009-07-25T13:00:00.000-07:00

The first night we spent bush camping with no facilities at the Tankwa-Karoo National Park which is between Sutherland and wuppertal. It was windy and got cold later, lucky we had an Electric blanket running off the battery system. we tried out our R200 electric shower with some hot water from the shower. It was not bad at all except that we froze when trying to dry myself. Meanwhile colleen was taking pics of me, she thought it was funny but soon the smile was gone when it was her turn to take a shower. The next day we drove over 600 k's with head winds all the way to Augrabie falls which is not far from Upington. It was pleasant when we arrived to lovely clean facilities.

Time to Go

2009-07-09T09:29:00.000-07:00

On our way to Johannesburg, a slow 3 day trip...