The Grand Adventure - Back to Africa!!!

[Martyn]

Zimbabwe is an amazing country, the people have gone through a lot over the years. Somehow they manage to keep tourism going, even during the civil war the game parks were in full swing, plenty of food and cold beer, always found that amazing.

Christian are you going to take the ferry on Lake Kariba to get you east toward Mana Pools? If you are going through Kariba it's worth a short stop. They used to sell carved Nami-Nami sticks at the overview for the dam, I have one that's a prize possession. There used to be a campsite call M.O.T.H. at lake level below the Sun Hotel. It used to be run by an older white couple who couldn't quite come to grips with post independence. One of those sides to Africa that is distasteful but at the same time fascinating.

Last time I was at Mana Pools an elephant "opened" the back door to get to an orange!!!

Be safe.

 

[luangwablondes]

The real pro on Moz is Mike Slater.

He has a forum on his website to answer any of your questions, and he is quite the Moz supporter and very knowledgeable.

There are pdf downloads that are available on his site also. These are a must to look at. Covers all the sections of the country.

 

[grahamfitter]

Hi Christian,

If you like backpacking try the Chimanimani mountains (on the Mozambique border.) The "Great Zimbabwe" ruins at Masvingo are worth a look, too, if you're in the area.

Since you're at Victoria Falls and already enjoyed the rafting, did you bungee jump off the bridge? If not, and you think you might want to try it just the once, this is a good one. Other than the colossal adrenaline rush, the upside down view of the Falls upstream and the Zambezi gorge downstream is pretty neat.

Cheers,
Graham

 

[luangwablondes]

Oh Boy. A visa via Zambia. The usually requires a letter of introduction or something like that. Everyone has been getting theirs in SA and Namibia. Can't help you on that one. Mike Slater has started an Angola Forum, you can find the link off the Mozguide website. Maybe he has an idea. I know there has been some traffic up(border crossings) in the NW corner of the country into Angola.

Nearly forgot. I hope you realise that that Angola is riddled with landmines. People don't walk off the side of the roads, they camp on the tracks and roads, the road infrastructure is not good either. If nature calls, its the road. You will see villages with wild growth areas in them. The villagers know there are landmines in there and just avoid it.

 

[Christian P.]

I added some pictures on the site...

 

[01001010]

Reading through your blog really puts me at the edge of my seat.

Keep trekking and stay safe! Oh, and keep those photos comming!

 

[Christian P.]

one last update for the next couples days...we are leaving Vic Falls right now heading toward Harare through Bulumayo(?need to check map...) and then back up to Mana Pools into Zambia. We managed to get our visa extended for a couple days, so we have now enough time.

Only one of the 4 gas station in town has diesel and it is disappearing quickly. They got 42000 liters yesterday and over 8000 is already gone. We are not sure if there is any between here and Harare (over 750 km with side trips...viva the dual tanks....), apparently there is none right now according to the manager here. Strangely petrol is easyto get but not diesel.
I suspect it's due to all the big rigs...

 

[luangwablondes]

For fuel in Harare -
MARLBOROUGH SERVICE STATION
3 Granger Road, Marlborough
Email: mss@erewhon.co.za

I just checked. If you needed petrol, or diesel for that matter, in Vic Falls, one of my contacts that would have pointed you to a source.

 

[luangwablondes]

Christian

While in Harare, be sure to go to Zimparks offices for your Mana Pools reservations. That will simplify things for you. The place is easy to find and the staff are great.

Pics are by Jon Mitchell who I helped with several self drives in Africa. He likes to remind me of what I am missing.

 

[Christian P.]

All,

We are now in Lusaka (Zambian)! I am uploading some pics right now...more details soon on our last adventures...

I have a question for the Land Cruiser experts here. My Troopie has started developping a oil leak (pretty significant) on the steering box. I haven't looked at it in details yet, but it seems to be coming from where the shaft gets into the box. If anyone has ideas on how to fix this, pls let me know...I am hoping I can get a rebuild kit or something here.

 

[luangwablondes]

Stop in at Livingstone 4x4 or give John a call. He hires out Defenders, but he may be able to suggest a solution for you. They also opened a workshop for landrovers this year. Tell him luangwablondes(Robbie) referred you.

Cell: +260 97 767 7506

37 Mpulungu Road in Olympia Park. It's only 5 minutes away from their old place. Located around the corner from Chita Lodge.

 

[luangwablondes]

Toyota Lusaka is at S15.140868 E28.28095

East side of Cairo Rd., before the North Circle, Great North RD(T4).

 

[DiploStrat]

" ... coming from where the shaft gets into the box"

Might indicate a failed seal. Misc. Suggestions:

-- Clean box and shaft completely, so you can confirm source of leak.

-- In the meantime, carry spare lubricant.

-- Pick the city/country with the best availability of spare parts/best place to wait if you must import.

En principe, Zamibia should be good.

Good luck!

 

[luangwablondes]

Get your repair kit in Lusaka. You won't find much in the way of spare parts between Lusaka and all the way to Luanda, Angola.

 

[Christian P.]

thanks guys. I will try to locate a rebuild kit here. I am hoping it's the same gear box as the newer model (HJZ78). Only problem is that it's a long weekend here until Wednesday, not sure if the shop will be open.

Then installing the kit is going to be a lot of fun...

As for the route, we are not going into Livingstone/Angola just yet. Our route roughly for the next 2 months (subject to change...) from here is Malawi (south lake) then Mozambique, then along the coast to Tanzania (Dar..) and then Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda.