Well it's been a while since my last post. We've been deep in what we call "the real Africa" where there isn't even electricity, much less internet access. All of my tourmates and I have agreed that this is what we expected out of Africa. After Windhoek we stayed at an amazing campsite just inside Botswana. We played volleyball for hours and partied with a few other tours. We then went to the Okovango Delta and it was amazing. We froze to death during a 2 hour ride on the back of a truck. It was cool though as we saw [View Full Entry]

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After Chobe, some of us crossed into Zimbabwe to experience a lion walk. This was incredible. The African Lion Environmental Research Trust raises lions from cubs, teaches them how to hunt, and then releases them into a large area (10,000 acres) where these lions will form prides and raise their own cubs. These new cubs, who do not see or come into contact with humans, will then be relocated in areas in Africa. Why are they doing this? In the last 20 years 80 percent of Africa's lions have disappeared. And the situation is just getting worse. As part of raising [View Full Entry]

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The past few days have been fairly relaxing. We were able to take it easy while most of the others were at the Okavango Delta - and it was nice to be able to sleep in beyond 5am for a couple of days. We left the Delta on Wednesday and drove for ages and ages before we reached the town of Kasane, which is on the border between Botswana and Zimbabwe. As soon as we got off the truck we split into two groups: those of us spending a night camping in Chobe National Park, and those not. We’d opted to [View Full Entry]

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Due to political situations in Zimbabwe we are skipping overlanding through there but still managed to visit briefly to see our friends jump in the bridge in the Zimbabwe side of a bridge that span through the Victoria Falls. [View Full Entry]

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Dilemas! How to get to Vic Falls has been the biggest dilema of the trip so far. We weren't sure whether to brave Zimbabwe with all the political trouble, food shortages and fuel shortages. On the other hand, it would cost us nearly $500 to get over to Zambia for the night as Brits get whacked with a visa fee 3x bigger than anyone else and then you need to pay for a ferry, third party insurance and carbon tax! We didn't realise this until we'd actually come out of Botswana and were waiting in line to get the ferry to [View Full Entry]

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Zimbabwe was probably one of the more interesting countries we've been to economically. It's really hard to describe the experience. When we arrived, the street rate for US dollars was 50,000,000 to one. However the bank rate was only 30,000 to one. So we were either forced to change on the street or use US dollars exclusively. Luckily we had a contact that could change the money for us so that we wouldn't get scammed. We changed $40 and instantly became billionaires! Although our $1 billion bar tab was a little scary... The political situation has been very damaging for the [View Full Entry]

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100,000% inflation, rigged elections but spectacular waterfalls I arrived in Zimbabwe a day late due to Air Namibia's technical difficulties but being honest, I didn't miss much. Basically there are two options for seeing the Victoria Falls - Zambia (Livingstone Town) and Zimbabwe (Victoria Falls Town) which are separated by the Zambezi river that is crossed by a big bridge where you can do the third highest bungee jump in the World. Since my flight from Windhoek arrived on the Zimbabwe side I decided to stay here for the five nights as opposed to crossing to Zambia, which most tourist do [View Full Entry]

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This morning I walked over the border from Zimbabwe to Botswana, and then caught a local bus into Kasane. Over the river I can see Namibia, but it will be weeks yet before I set foot there. I flew into Johannesburg last Tuesday, and stayed overnight at my favourite local hostel; Shoestrings. It's located close to the airport, in an area safe enough to walk about in, and the owners offer free pickups to and from the airport. There are a remarkable number of private rooms and dorm beds, plus a rather nice little pool in the back garden. The owner [View Full Entry]

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Africa has been so much fun, we are into our last few days, and have mixed feelings about leaving. John is so at home here, he is really enjoying the bush life. I am too of course, but I am really aware of how much I need to see the towns and meet the people to get a feel for the place. We have just returned from Zimbabwe which is the most beautiful country I have ever seen - susie and matt also agree. We are already talking about when we will be back - definitely in the dry season and [View Full Entry]

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Six hours on the road and we arrive at Lilongwe - the capital of Malawi - for lunch. It had a Nando’s! More cultivation and larger villages with cone hut shaped thatched roofs as we’ve headed across Malawi and as we enter Chipata at the Zambian border we’re struck by how affluent it looks; relatively modern bungalows, planted borders along the roadside and public spaces in the town. Village houses whilst still made of wood with mud have tree trunks supporting the eaves and making a verandah - look quite colonial. Campsite just south of Chipata (Mama Rula’s) has a nice [View Full Entry]

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