Southern/East African Trip 2019

Days 81  Our night at Pioneer Camp brought memories flying in.  However, it had obviously changed hands in the last 32 years and all the animal mounts in the bar had been taken down.  We met a really nice Zimbo who had picked up some German tourists for a tour in Zambia, and actually has a really good friend in Richards Bay!  What a small world. The campsite was good, electricity and wifi and decent ablutions.  We hit the sack early as we needed to go through the capital city in the morning and get to Mazabuko at a reasonable hour. Day 82  Rob and Sandy, who we had played many, many years of hockey with in Zululand, are on a sugar farm just outside Mazabuko.  We had made a commitment to see them in lieu of camping in Monze for a night.  What a great decision ... good company, fantastic food (our first roast lamb in three months!), a never ending supply of Mosi's, and a very comfortable bed.  We were loath to move on .....  Thanks once again Sandy and Rob for a fabulous sta

Days 75 - 80 - 21st - 27th August 2019 Peter and I reminisced about how we were meant to come to South Luangwa 25 years ago, but heavy floods during that December prevented us from doing so.  And here we were at last. We arrived at Wildlife Camp - a little piece of paradise right on the banks of the Luangwa River and just 6 km's from the Park gate.  It is situated in a game management area, so there is almost little need to go into the Park!  The whole setting is stunning and the facilities fantastic.  On the first day here, we decided that we would extend our stay by another three days. Sunset over the Luangwa River On the second day we did a self drive into the Park.  No predators were seen, but a fantastically huge herd of buffalo, loads of impala, puku, warthog, giraffe, elephant, kudu and waterbuck. Because Johan & Joanne would be leaving the next day, we decided to do a night drive together, followed by dinner, courtesy of Johan.  The night drive paid off, we

Day 74 - 20th August 2019 On route to Lilongwe from Cape Maclear we turned into the Mua Mission and Kungoni Museum.  The  Museum reveals the cultures of the three tribal groups (Chewa, Ngoni, Yao) which meet in the Mua area.   Father  Claude Boucher arrived in Mua when he was just 24 or 25 and has been there ever since - 52 years in fact,  and has played a huge part in putting the museum together.   There is a fantastic display of all the masks used in traditional folklore.  Well worth a visit if you are ever in the area! Mua Mission Our stay at Barefoot Camp was most pleasant.   People we had met at the Museum had come from Lilongwe and told us that Barefoot Camp served the best curry and rice in Malawi.   We were not disappointed! Our hosts, Louis and Rudolph and the chef, also South Africans, were great!   Highly recommended for a stay and curry! Day 75 - 21st August 2019 The next morning on route to the border, we were fascinated by the amount of firewood, ch

Day 72 & 73 - 18th &19th August 2019 Two glorious days were spent at Chembe Eagles' Nest at Cape Maclear.  Today we took a boat out to the Cape Maclear National Park, walked to the memorial of Dr Black, a young Scotsman missionary doctor who died of malaria at age 31.  Thereafter, we went to feed the fish eagles (that they have been doing for at least the past 30 years!) off Tunda Island which is also part of the national park, and to visit the island. Chembe village - racks for drying the fish that they catch Drat! He missed the fish - but at least we caught him! The fish were amazing! Tomorrow we are off to Barefoot Camp 20 km's from Lilongwe, on the Chipata road.  There had  been demonstrations in a number of the cities throughout Malawi over the recent elections, which the demonstrators maintain was not a fair election, but we have been told that the matter is currently in court.  Until such time as a court ruling is made, we have been tol

Day 66 & 67 – 12 th & 13 th August 2019 Blue Canoe Safari Camp was only an hour from the Tanzanian/Malawian border post.    These African border posts are incredibly slow – either their systems are slow, or they have no systems and everything is paper based!   It took us three hours to cross the border, but with the help of the insurance guys at the border.   The Malawi Road Toll fee was US$20, TIP $20 and 3 rd Party Insurance US$50.   But once we had been “cleared” to leave, the insurance guys demanded a US$25 “Agent’s Fee”.   At the end of the day, we thought that it would have taken us a heck of a longer time more if they didn’t help us, so we gladly paid the fee. We arrived at Chitimba Camp on Lake Malawi around lunchtime.   Camping was on lawn and really pleasant.   Because there was power we decided to stay for two nights, instead of pushing on to Lukwe Eco Lodge which was just 18km’s up the mountain but did not have electricity.   Johan & Joanne left

Day 65 – 11 th August 2019 Wow, this is like camping on the beach!   It was absolutely great to fall asleep to the sound of waves breaking.   Our hosts, Thomas and Layla, were great.   B ecause there is no electricity here, and with our charging system not working in the camper, we cut our stay to one night.   But it really was worth it! Beach camping at Blue Canoe Safari Camp Tomorrow we're off to Malawi.

Day 57 to 59 - 07th - 09th August 2019 What a piece of paradise!! Lake Side Lodge is owned and run by Chris and Louise ( ex South African's who have been in Tanzania for 21 years).  A more hospitable couple, together with their staff - particularly Pruve, Sabena, Noddy and Achmed - not forgetting the magnificent chefs and cleaning staff, we did not meet.  We had the most enjoyable time on the lake.  Our sunset cruise was also, of course, a winner! Us truly with Louise, Muffin and Chris The magnificent sunset Day 60 - 10th August 2019 We're back in Mbeya, at Utungele Coffee Lodge, and will be leaving for a relaxing 2 nights on the most Northern shore of Lake Malawi - still on the Tanzanian side of the border.  After that we shall be leaving for Livingstonia.