Back to Zimbabwe tomorrow. In the three weeks we spent there last December we appreciated what a beautiful country it is and also a country in turmoil. I have to make comparisons with the trip we made to New Zealand a couple of years ago, where the scenery was amazing and some of the wildlife was new and interesting, but there was little else to challenge us. In comparison the trip to Zimbabwe last year was both challenging and enlightening. Although our intention is to try and reach places we couldn't get to last time, we will probably return to a couple of places we really liked, so it will be interesting to see how things are a year on. Mugabe is a year older, as far as the world media is reporting his health appears to be stabilised. However Grace is being pushed forward, groomed as a successor. It is said that he wants to create a dynasty and I think there is a son from his first marriage, so I am wondering why Grace.
This time we have rented a fully equipped Toyota Hi-Lux safari vehicle, so we should be able to venture deeper into the rural areas, away from the main road network. We are taking our own small (South African) travel tent, but the Hi-Lux comes equipped with a roof top tent so if we have any concerns about the security of our camping site we will have that as an option. We have memories of camping on a deserted and unfenced site by a river in Botswana, unaware until the following morning that the snorting noises we heard nearby during the night were grazing hippos.
We will be in Zimbabwe for just over a month and although we don't have a fixed itinerary or destinations our general plan is to head north from Harare to the Mana Pools area and then follow the Zambezi westwards by Lake Kariba, before turning south and heading inland towards Gweru. From there we will head off in a south-easterly direction, reaching the border with Mozambique at Chimanimani and then turn in a northerly direction through the Bvumba Highlands towards Nyanga and from there return to Harare. We have no idea how much of this route will be possible, much will depend upon when the rains begin and how passable the roads will be, even for a vehicle like the Hi-Lux. We also have no idea of where we will be able to re-stock our provisions. Last year, not driving a 4 X 4, we kept mostly to tarred roads and so were able to find shops in larger towns. We will be stocking up well with dried and non-perishable foods before we leave Harare. As the trip unfolds other opportunities and options may well present themselves, so we might end up doing none of the above. On previous trips we have frequently changed our plans on an almost daily basis.
Last year we found WiFi broadband in some surprising places, which worked well as long as there was an electricity supply. We are not so confident for this trip but we will try to update the blog as often as possible.
