We drove to Chiredzi on October 16, 2024 and covered 435 kilometers. For probably an hour we drove past sugar cane plantations and factories whose chimneys were smoking. We found shelter for that night at the Guesthouse Royal Garden, in a beautiful palm garden. As always in Zimbabwe, we were warmly welcomed and the owner asked us where we were from and where we were going. (Small talk is important in this country and you never start a conversation without asking «How are you?»)

We slept wonderful and woke up the next morning at 5:15 am. to the birds chirping their morning song. At 7.45 am I started the engine for today’s journey which would take us to the Eastern Highlands. We filled the tank at the first gas station – fuel supply is no longer a problem in Zimbabwe! Good thing, because unlike last year, we didn’t fill the two reserve jerry cans on the side and forgo the additional weight.

We drove northeast under a clear blue sky. We passed small villages with their round huts, where women offered their goods along the road. All the same and what grows in this area: tomatoes, cabbage and watermelons. And of course, eggs! We enjoyed the drive through this beautiful area, which became even more beautiful when we came across the first baobabs. (This is our favorite tree!). We stopped a few times to photograph one of these mighty trees, which live for several hundred years.

During one of these stops, a donkey cart came towards us on a field path. The grandfather, grandmother and two children were sitting in it. I asked the friendly old man if I could take a picture. «Why do you want to take a picture?» he asked me friendly English. My answer: «I want to show my kids how the public transport in Zimbabwe works!» (Meanwhile, we know that in these countries hardly anyone understands if you don’t have children!)

«God bless you and your family,» the grandfather replied. With his blessing, honking and waving, we drove towards the highlands, where the mountains could already be seen in the distance…