On October 24th, 2024 we found a place to stay overnight in Macheke, halfway between Rusape and Harare. It was significantly warmer here than the evening before; but we were only at 940 meters above sea level. Shawn showed us where we could park our vehicle and asked us if we were from Switzerland. «Yes» was our answer, to which he replied: «My aunt lives in Switzerland with her husband». There are things! Brigitta called Angeline, who is currently in Bern, to agree on the price for the overnight stay (US$ 10 per person).

We showered but didn’t unpack much as we wanted to leave early the next morning. We got up at 4:45. It was still night, but it was already light by breakfast time. At 5.45 am. we drove towards Harare. An hour late because we arrived at rush hour. Twelve kilometers from Harare we stood in a three-lane line of cars on a two-lane road. What a mess!

It took us more than an hour to cross the city. Once again, we were amazed at the vehicles that are on the road here. They would never pass the MOT test and are loaded until the springs bend down. Nobody cares about something like maximum roof load! And there are no emissions regulations anyway – it stinks, smokes and hisses to the point of horror…