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Published: June 17th 2017
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01 Baobab Tree
A baobab tree that we saw on the way out of the park. Geo: -15.9455, 29.3115
This morning we got up before first light. We wanted to be the first vehicles to leave and not be stuck behind the other campers who were also leaving this morning. We left at 6am and drove as quickly as we could on the terrible bumpy track. As on the way in, we didn't see any animals on the way out either. The drive out of the reserve took us three long hours. Never again do I want to go there by road – there must be another way!
After leaving the reserve we headed north east towards Mana Pools National Park. Along the way we saw more small, traditional villages and very friendly locals.
About an hour before the entrance to Mana Pools National Park was the last petrol station, so we filled up the vehicles. A few minutes later we arrived at the last shop before the park. It was a very simple shop, but the only option! So we got a few more supplies to get us through the next 8 nights. About half an hour later we arrived at the first entrance to the park. I was happy that we had arrived, until I looked closer at
02 Village
Another traditional village. the sign which stated that it was still another 77km until the camp ground!
I have heard many great things about Mana Pools and I am hoping that it will meet my expectations - a wild place with amazing sightings. The road between this entrance and the next check point was terrible – very corrugated. We drove along, very keen to get to camp before dark and chill out by the fire.
Paul decided to drive fast in the hope that it would make it a smoother ride, he was wrong. We then heard a pop as we bounced along the road. Paul stopped the car, looked under and informed me that the front shocks had popped. I learnt that shock absorbers make a smooth ride. From then on it was such a bumpy ride, we had to drive very slowly and we still bounced around. Luckily Paul and I don't suffer from travel sickness. In the next hour along this road we saw many baobabs, a skittish elephant, a few warthogs and dry river beds as we bumped along.
At the second checkpoint they checked our pass that we received an hour ago. Then we continued on. Another hour
03 Out the Window
The view out of the window, as we were between national parks. later and we were at the office and checking in. As the paperwork was being filled in, I stood outside the office and stretched my legs. Then along came an elephant, it was about 50 metres away. I was really excited to see a wild animal so close. The elephant slowly walked towards the river.
We were staying at the main campsite – Nyamepi, which was a five minute drive from the office. Finally at 5pm, after a long day of driving, we arrived at our campsite. Our site was right on the Zambezi River and it was such an amazing view. The bank was nice and high, so no chance of hippos or crocodiles walking past our tent. We quickly set up camp and took a few photos of the beautiful light as the sun was setting. At the other side of the camp site near the ablutions block there was an elephant. It was happily eating leaves for a few moments before walking away. It was a large campsite and there were only a few other campers there.
I was so glad to have finally arrived. We enjoyed a nice night, sitting by the fire and hearing the
04 Village
A traditional Zimbabwean village. hippos grunting.
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