Wednesday 28th september
Weare at Antelope Park, in Zimbabwe. This is a very active private game reserve, which is trying to breed lions for release into the wild. Lovely setting, lake with fishing and canoeing, and lots of activities to spend our money on, so tomorrow it will be a "Walk with the lions", a one hour elephant ride into the game park, lion feeding, lion breeding talk and canoeing in our spare time.. Should keep us out of mischief for the day, and contribute to the funds available for research.
Yesterday we were at the Rhodes Matabos National Park near Bulaweyo. Followed a rhino hunter with big gun around for a long time in the bush (twice), but did not find rhino. Saw lots of other animals, sable antelope, the antelope with corkscrew horns, kliphoppers (rock jumping antelope), springboks, wildebeest, zebras, rodents etc.
Bulaweyo reminds us of Adelaide, wide streets, low buildings, square city with parklands around it. We will have to research if Col Light designed it too.
At Vic Falls, we went to Boma, a game meat restaurant, and to the VIctoria Falls hotel for afternoon tea.
At the border crossing form Zambia to Zimbabwe, we met David Hasselhof, and had a group photo taken with him. This was a highlight for many on the trip.
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Zambia
Sunday 18 September (on their behalf)
Wednesday 21 September (still on their behalf)
Wednesday 21 September (from Pam and Peter)
Kerryn is doing a wonderful job updating with our texts. Thanks.
In Malawi, we stayed at 2 different beaches, went via Mzuzu clothing market after the first beach. this clothing market sells donated clothing from all around the world that even the africans wont wear. We had each drawn a name from a hat, and had up to $10 to spend on an outfit for the bad taste party the following night. At Kande beach we upgraded from our tent to a beachfront cabin for $40 in total for the 3 nights we were there. We could sit on our front verandah and look at the lake, which was just like being at a normal beach, except the water was fresh. Lake is 365 miles long and 52 miles wide, which is huge. Everyone drank too much at the party, the esky was filled with cheap spirits and fruit juice punch.
Things are going very bad in Malawi, no foreign aid until the president stops spending it on himself (foreign aid is about 40% of GDP). Even had a general strike there today. Villages look very poor, and it is one of the poorest nations in Africa.
On to Zambia, we have had 2 1/2 long days of driving. As soon as we crossed from Malawi, we moved into a much more developed country with shops, vehicles (almost none in Malawi), traffic lights, normal houses.
Now we are in Livingstone, the Zambian side of Victoria Falls, the adrenalin capital of Africa. Had to choose (and pay for) activities. We decided not to go white water rafting, abseiling or bungy jumping, rather microlite flying, a sunset booze cruise. Tomorrow we take a day trip to Botswana, then on Friday go to Livingstone Island for breakfast at the posh hotel, followed by a swim in the Devils pools at the top of victoria falls. The flow rate is low, so the pools are open.
Then it is off to Victoria Falls, where our group splits up and goes 4 different ways. We will join a different truck there.
Back in the truck after a few days at the fresh water beaches of Lake Malawi. Will cross into Zambia today.
Wednesday 21 September (still on their behalf)
Left Lusaka at 5am yesterday to avoid any possible election carnage.
Cruised the lower Zambezi River last night.
Just been microlight flying over Victoria Falls from Livingstone in Zambia.
As you can no doubt tell, we are enjoying ourselves.
(You can read more about the Zambian elections by clicking here.)
Wednesday 21 September (from Pam and Peter)
Kerryn is doing a wonderful job updating with our texts. Thanks.
In Malawi, we stayed at 2 different beaches, went via Mzuzu clothing market after the first beach. this clothing market sells donated clothing from all around the world that even the africans wont wear. We had each drawn a name from a hat, and had up to $10 to spend on an outfit for the bad taste party the following night. At Kande beach we upgraded from our tent to a beachfront cabin for $40 in total for the 3 nights we were there. We could sit on our front verandah and look at the lake, which was just like being at a normal beach, except the water was fresh. Lake is 365 miles long and 52 miles wide, which is huge. Everyone drank too much at the party, the esky was filled with cheap spirits and fruit juice punch.
Things are going very bad in Malawi, no foreign aid until the president stops spending it on himself (foreign aid is about 40% of GDP). Even had a general strike there today. Villages look very poor, and it is one of the poorest nations in Africa.
On to Zambia, we have had 2 1/2 long days of driving. As soon as we crossed from Malawi, we moved into a much more developed country with shops, vehicles (almost none in Malawi), traffic lights, normal houses.
Now we are in Livingstone, the Zambian side of Victoria Falls, the adrenalin capital of Africa. Had to choose (and pay for) activities. We decided not to go white water rafting, abseiling or bungy jumping, rather microlite flying, a sunset booze cruise. Tomorrow we take a day trip to Botswana, then on Friday go to Livingstone Island for breakfast at the posh hotel, followed by a swim in the Devils pools at the top of victoria falls. The flow rate is low, so the pools are open.
Then it is off to Victoria Falls, where our group splits up and goes 4 different ways. We will join a different truck there.
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Chitimba Beach, Malawi Lake
left zanzibar after 4 days, 3 on the beach and 1 in the capital, Stonetown. Very sad, after the ferry sank between the 2 main islands. Difficult to tell how many people died, as the government will not admit to overcrowding. It seems there were several hundred dead. Beach was lovely, very relaxing. Ferry back to Dar Es Salaam was rough. Just had 2 long days on the truck, and are now on Malawi Lake, at the northern end. Have bought some small wood carvings, and will post them home from Livingstone in Zambia. We have been told if they are posted sea mail, then the containers are fumigated and there should not be problem with customes. Nice to have a relaxing day today. All is well and we are having a great time.
Thursday, September 8, 2011
We are in Zanzibar
Update - Zanzibar - Saturday 10 September (on their behalf)
Zanzibar - 9 September
Just returned from a snorkelling trip around an island just off Zanzibar main island. Staying in a beachfront hotel, with private access to white sandy beach, with a bar and restaurant on the cliff. Most of the guys went fishing today, and Peter joined the girls on the snorkelling expedition.
Our group is composed of 14, 4 couples, 4 girls and 2 guys. The singles are all under 30, and a great group. We have a canadian couple in their 50's, so we are not the only oldies. everyone is getting along well. The tour leader is |Geoff, a Pom, who is suitably load, and a great leader. Our truck is called Matilda, it has windows, not roll up blinds, and our driver/mechanic is a Kenyan named James. A happy crew.
We have been lucky and have seen all the big 5 anuimals, and lots of other critters. Wildebeest and zebras were migrating to the Masai Mara in their droves. We did a gold plated ($500 each!!!) dawn balloon flight over the Mara. Crossed that off the list of things to do. Lots of game drives, out hunting animals at dawn and dusk. Serengeti was hot, dry and dusty, but filled with wildlife, though not the migrating type. Saw leopard in a tree, several cheetas, lots of lions, elephants, buffalo, gazelles,zebras, hyenas, birds, foxes etc. Saw a rhino in the Mara.
Ngorongo Crater was also hot and dusty, did a dawn drive through it and saw more animals. Did the serengeti and crater in Safari landrovers with open tops. A full days drive got us to Dar Es Salaam, and yesterday we took a ferry over to Zanzibar.
Sorry no photos at present, internet speed is appallingly slow, but we have managed to make a backup of our photos (853 so far)
Internet cafes are few and far between, because we are staying at campsites out of town. Some have wifi, but we did not bring our computer.
We are having fun. time to go to the bar for cocktails.
Safe and sound. Thankfully they weren't on the ferry that sank last night.That story can be found online at ABC News if you're interested.
Zanzibar - 9 September
Just returned from a snorkelling trip around an island just off Zanzibar main island. Staying in a beachfront hotel, with private access to white sandy beach, with a bar and restaurant on the cliff. Most of the guys went fishing today, and Peter joined the girls on the snorkelling expedition.
Our group is composed of 14, 4 couples, 4 girls and 2 guys. The singles are all under 30, and a great group. We have a canadian couple in their 50's, so we are not the only oldies. everyone is getting along well. The tour leader is |Geoff, a Pom, who is suitably load, and a great leader. Our truck is called Matilda, it has windows, not roll up blinds, and our driver/mechanic is a Kenyan named James. A happy crew.
We have been lucky and have seen all the big 5 anuimals, and lots of other critters. Wildebeest and zebras were migrating to the Masai Mara in their droves. We did a gold plated ($500 each!!!) dawn balloon flight over the Mara. Crossed that off the list of things to do. Lots of game drives, out hunting animals at dawn and dusk. Serengeti was hot, dry and dusty, but filled with wildlife, though not the migrating type. Saw leopard in a tree, several cheetas, lots of lions, elephants, buffalo, gazelles,zebras, hyenas, birds, foxes etc. Saw a rhino in the Mara.
Ngorongo Crater was also hot and dusty, did a dawn drive through it and saw more animals. Did the serengeti and crater in Safari landrovers with open tops. A full days drive got us to Dar Es Salaam, and yesterday we took a ferry over to Zanzibar.
Sorry no photos at present, internet speed is appallingly slow, but we have managed to make a backup of our photos (853 so far)
Internet cafes are few and far between, because we are staying at campsites out of town. Some have wifi, but we did not bring our computer.
We are having fun. time to go to the bar for cocktails.
Saturday, September 3, 2011
Week 2 - Africa (Kenya to Tanzania)
Thursday 1 September (on behalf of the parents)
Tuesday 6 September (on behalf of the parents)
Back in Nairobi after a trip out to the Masai Mara and about to head off to Tanzania. Can get SMS on the travel sim but no internet.The next few days should see them off to the Serengeti National Park for some game drives and a trip to Ngorongoro Crater and then back to the coast at Dar es Salaam on Tuesday. You can click on the links for an idea of what they're struggling through.
Tuesday 6 September (on behalf of the parents)
Serengeti was fantastic. Now on the road to Dar es Salaam (Tanzania). Trip is going great.After a day in Dar es Salaam they're off to the island of Zanzibar off the coast of Tanzania. Four days of beaches, spices and seafood - sounds like Dad's idea of heaven.
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