We are about to embark on an adventure around Southern Africa, with a focus on Zimbabwe, so Sue can see as many bird species of the Southern African Region as possible, and to keep Richard happy, make sure that as many of the birding places offer fishing. Scott and Shelley Hindmarch will be our travelling companions, so two vehicles and four happy travellers ready to explore a little of the southern countries of Africa.
The Route
The journey starts in Cape Town on Wednesday 9 August 2023, with the early birds, and we cross into Namibia that afternoon. We head towards the Waterberg Plateau where we will start to see some special birds, then on to Cubango (Okavango) River, near Runde where Richard and Scott will be appeased, we hope, with catching a Tiger Fish or two. Then down to Mubala Lodge near Katima Mulilo before we head through Botswana and into Zimbabwe. A serious adventure awaits us there – the Kariba Ferry to shuttle us over the entire length of the Kariba Dam, landing at the town of Kariba on the day of Zimbabwe’s National Elections. Then on to a spoil at Nyamoumba, just below the Kariba Dam wall.
We will be spending most of the rest of our time in Zimbabwe exploring the northern and eastern mountainous areas, searching for some elusive bird species and just enjoying, I am sure, amazing landscapes. Possibly a bit of fly fishing ! Then down through Save Conservancy and Gonerhezou,, into Mozambique.
Banhine National Park is a little known game reserve in Mozambique, where people are also part of the park. The infrastructure for tourism in this park is in its infancy, but that is great for us, as this means we can do a little wild camping. Then we head to the coast, to Pomene for some serious fishing. From Mozambique, we head back into South Africa, KwaZulu Natal. The Gies will visit some of our family, while the Hindmarch’s get some exercise and do the Pondoland trail. We meet up again on the Wild Coast, at Cebe, for the ultimate fishing competition (and some great birds). From there, it is time to head home…in summary, up the West Coast, and back via the East Coast.
The preparation
We have not been home much this year, so getting physically ready for this trip has all taken place in the week and a bit before we depart! The route has been planned over the past year, and together with the Hindmarch’s, we have been booking and paying where we can. Many of the places in Zimbabwe we can only pay cash on arrival – in USD – so we need to make sure we have enough notes with us.
Klippie and the Hilux have been thoroughly cleaned – in prep for the new layers of dust and mud that they will soon be coated with. Food basics have been acquired and packed into drawers and ammo boxes. Spare tyre and a tyre casing procured. Richard repacked and organised all the tools, purchased things like glue, fuses etc for the inevitable repairs that happen along the way.
Documents for border crossings have been copied and certified, route planned using T4A and Garmin BaseCamp, and uploaded onto the GPS. Information needed printed out and filed in my flip folder (spot the x-teacher). Tomorrow some more admin, pack the clothes, the cameras, binocs, cables etc etc. Still so much to do …
