(October 27, 2024, Mana Pools: I am writing this report on the banks of the Zambezi, the fourth-longest river in Africa. In front of me I see three elephants taking a bath in the river and grazing.)

We arrived at Lions Den at lunchtime on October 25th, 2024. Just in time to enjoy their well-known burgers at Saucery Sue’s. (For the first time in my life I ate two in a row!) But that wasn’t all, for dessert we treated ourselves to a coffee milkshake. Delicious! We camped just a few kilometers outside of the town in a beautiful spot with trees. A bird concert was guaranteed!

The following morning, we were on our way towards Karoi and Makuti at 6.45am. The road, on which hundreds of heavily loaded trucks from Zambia were traveling, was in terrible condition. We constantly drove around potholes that were up to a foot deep. And that on an international connection road!

We were happy when we were able to turn off to Kariba in Makuti. This road was in good condition and led us to this town on the Kariba Dam, one of the largest men made in the world. The Zambezi has been dammed here to generate electricity for Zimbabwe and Zambia. Kariba is a lousy town and we only drove here to book the ferry that goes from here to Milbizi. But it doesn’t leave until November 11^th, 2024 – too late for us. So, we had to drive back again to Makuti.

We did a few purchases at Pick & Pay, where South Africans stashed liters of beer. Staying in Kariba was not an option. We decided to go to the Mana Pools, which lie 170 kilometers away. We arrived there after a long day of driving and over 400 kilometers. We set up camp under a shady tree on the banks of the Zambezi. What a location! We more than earned the cold beer. (Outside temperature rose to 40.1 °C, inside the car 38.5 °C – that would be a warm night!)

PS If you want to know more about Kariba and the reservoir, read here.