Matusadona NP 21 June

Camping on the road side - never made camp

The roar of the lions was so loud all last night that we hardly slept with excitement...this is what camping in the bush is all about !

Matusadona camp on Kariba shore

We filled up with diesel in Hwange bought fresh hot buns and hit the road and what a road!!After Siyakbvu the road to Matusadona became the worst road we have ever been on. It took us roughly 4 hours to travel 27 k and had not made our camp by 6.30 so had to camp on the side of the road. Our friendly game guards got us fire wood and obviously ablutions had to be in the bush !!

We set off this am for the second part of the trek...the 42k only took 2 hrs !! We are the only people here and it is beautiful..on the edge of Lake Kariba. Have not seen any game but the bird life is great..to name some new ones for us African Golden Oriole and Bennetts Woodpecker and Grey Headed Bush Shrike.

Elephant in the camp - nice big tusks

Oh no, another beautiful sunset

Gail just made us a lovely bread

Most roads were in a shocking state

On our way out - we look back over the bush we had just travelled

Looking forward to a shower and braai tonight and clean clothes. Temperatures are far more pleasant now in upper twenties.

Matusadona 21st

Arrived Matusadona today taking 6 hours to do 67 kms on a road full of boulders with lots of climbing and holding the Cruiser back. Nightime came and we had to bushcamp. This left 40 kms to do this morning. Camping on Kariba at Tashinga for two days. All well. Gail/Garth
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Matusadona 21st

Road worse than we were warned. 27 kms took 4 hrs. Bush camped. 40 kms today - 2 hours. Tashinga camp parklike with ok ablutions. On Kariba.

Gail
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Wednesday 19 June - Hwange NP Deteema Dam

 

 

 

 

Safari still on track and going well. After Francistown we had another long day in the saddle and arrived at Hwange Main camp at about 5:00 pm. The border posts were fine and had no issues. Went through many police blocks but we were waved through. Did some shopping in Bulawayo which was very busy with everyone very friendly. Had a nice quiet night at main camp then travelled through the park for about 150 km to Deteema

 

They have a sort of shower area - you provide the rest

It has a brilliant situation with the camp and hide overlooking the dam. We setup camp and before we could shower had a leopard walk the full length of the dam and herds of elephants, zebra , buck and giraffe come down to drink. We have identified over 50 birds. The dam has crocodiles, hippo, fish a good variety of water birds duck and terrapin. Really a wonderful spot if ever you come to Hwange.

Many herds came down to drink in the evenings

Friendly warbler

Camp from the weir

Dime a dozen here

Leopard strolling around at 3PM

View from the camps hide

Camp fire

Camp - all to ourselves

Have a wonderful night with hippo, lion and hyena calls very close all round the camp to everyone's delight.

We have a game guard and camp man who come in the morning and evening to clean up, wash etc. Really friendly and helpful. The camp is our own has water and flush toilets. We had to rig our own showers. Today we relaxed around the camp spotting birds, washing clothes, charging batteries with sola panels and chatting and exchanging camping ideas.

Just baked a loaf of bread and preparing a braai. Animals have started their journey down to drink again.

Leave early in the morning and hope to get to our next camp in Matusadona late tomorrow afternoon.

Impala lilies

Love from Garth, Gail, Gavin, Rita, Basil & Helen.

Hi Basil

Keep the photos & messages going on the blog. Enjoy the trip!

Donovan Duffy

Day 1 June 16 - Francistown

Arrived at Marang in Francistown at 16:45 after along day in the saddle. Came through the border at Martins Drift with no problems. Roads have got very bad in last year with potholes in places with lots of trucks and some very slow traffic. Leaving for Zimbabwe now 08:00.

Day 1 16th June Jhb - Francistown...7am leaving a misty cold Jhb

Cold, misty & fine rain as we leave Johannesburg

Basil