-- Log 33 --

 
Matabo National Park – ½ hour visit




Truly a beautiful sight

Rhodes still sleeps peacefully atop View of the World.

Having once again bid farewell to the kids, we spent the night at Bulawayo. We have had time to reflect on all that has happened and is still happening in Zimbabwe and have come to the conclusion, that the future is in God’s hands and He has a plan and a future for the people of Zimbabwe.

The drive to Victoria Falls was hot, and long, and never seemed to end. We arrived tired, hot and irritable. There was still time to make the border, so we exited Zimbabwe at Kasungula. The crossing was quick and efficient. Botswana’s border officials were equally efficient and polite. Another country another day!

We headed straight for our favourite spot in Chobe – Kubu Cabins - only to find that they were closed for the rainy season! That was a bit of knock! We eventually decided on staying at the Safari Lodge – in a Chalet – as it was late and we were very tired.

Chobe Safari Lodge – S17.48.414 E025.08.766 – 3 152 ft amsl – Chalet P385 pn – Camping BP35 pppn – 07/01/03 (USD $ 1.00 = BP 5.00)

The biggest shock for us about Botswana was that the exchange rate for the Pula was R2 .00 = BP1.00. Having just come from Zimbabwe and living the ‘high’ life this was quite a rapid plummet to earth.

Hippo Lodge – Katima Mulilo - S17.29.847 E024.19.982 – 3 112 ft amsl – N$30.00 pppn – 08/01/03 – 09/01/03

We have spent time in Botswana before, so we figure we would rather move onto Namibia as we have not toured there before.

First stop Rundu – Sarasungu River Lodge – S17.53.424 E019.46.912 – 3 504 ft amsl – N$35.00 pppn – 10/01/03

The trip from Katima Mulilo to Rundu is along the Caprivi Strip, through Caprivi Game Park. It was a very pleasant trip, although hot. We found it hard to believe that this area was once a ‘hot spot’ of a different sort.

At Rundu we found the Sarasungu River Lodge, nestled near the Kavango River. The lodge is well maintained and the staff very friendly. The only problem was that we had close encounters with the biggest thorns we have ever seen! Monsters! We had to protect MR W from them! Also one does have an expectation when there is water taps and electricity boxes on the sites. No water to the site and the electricity was on for two hours – ah well, not a problem.

MR W had a flat just before Omafo, which had us in the blazing sun, struggling to change the tire. The highlift jack is great, but is dangerous, and now we have definitely promised to invest in a bottle jack – enough is enough!

Next on our busy agenda – Ruacana – some of the SA boys would remember the place well – it is still HOT!


Ruacana Falls - Unfortunately the dam has all but dried up the falls.

O’Sheja Guest House – Ruacana – S17.26.410 E014.21.050 – 3 757 ft amsl – N$140 pppn – 11/01/03 – Sunset Lodge – directly opposite – has camping

We searched Oshakati flat looking for a place to camp, and eventually at 20h00 decided, to press on toward Ruacana in the hopes that we would find a campsite along the way. As it turned out there was not a place to be found, plenty of small pubs, bars and clubs along the way but not one campsite! We arrived well after 22h00 and asked for directions at the garage – the helpful chap phoned Vanessa, who it turned out owned the Guest House and she came and fetched us and took us to the house – next morning we discovered the campsite opposite from the Guest House!!!! We had the house to ourselves so it was okay.

Back at the garage, we paid our dues, and had MR W’s tyre repaired. We discussed going along the Kunene to Epupa Falls, and agreed that the tyres are not in good enough nick and we would not do the trip on our own – it is not for the feint hearted.
BUT, we would go at least as far as Kunene River Lodge and then come through the
D3701 to Opuwo, that way we would have seen some of the Kaokoveld.

Kunene River Lodge – S17.21.269 E013.52.843 – 2 418 ft amsl – N$50.00 pppn -12/01/03




MR W keeping good company

One kind soul asked if we towed the aircraft behind MR W – now that’s a thought!


The Kunene River – the border between Namibia and Angola

Whilst at the Lodge we met two German guys who wanted to go to Epupa Falls along the Kunene but did not want to go on their own – they asked if we would go with them. It is very hard to turn down a challenge – so we decided we would give it a bash!

The road has been classed as a grade 2 – 4 (4 X 4 Track) – which is quite difficult, but we still thought we aught to give it a try.

Sebastian and Benedikt were very happy about the whole idea.

Soooooo ………