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1995
Zimbabwe - Cairo to Capetown
Bec2004-09-20 13:30:21
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Tete
A couple of years ago the overland route between Malawi and Zimbabwe was known as the "Gun Run" had to be crossed in armed convoys because of the danger of being attacked by Renamo guerrillas. Now there was no problem other than getting the required transit visa in Lilongwe.
After crossing the Zambezi on the bridge behind us we stopped here at Tete for a skewered beef and beer lunch.
Border
Suzanne Hvaling and I walking over to the Zimbabwe border post.
On the way, Dave entertained us with stories about the difficult years of Ian Smith's White Rhodesia when he went on patrols with the para military Rhodesian Scouts. His attitudes had mellowed since that desperate past and he now acknowledged that black rule was not as bad as he had then imagined.
Harare
The five of us stayed here at the Kopje Backpackers Lodge 6 US$ each.
The next day I changed traveller's cheques, visited Harare and its small but interesting National Museum and went boozing in the evening.
We had a few more here at the Red Fox after getting thrown out of the Sheraton. In the usual order, Dave Bradshaw, Barbara Lotz, Richard Franz (a South African friend of Dave from his Rhodesian Scouts past), Suzanne Hvaling and yours truly. I don't remember when we got to bed but I do remember the hangover!
Mvuma
From Harare, Suzanne and Barbara took the train for Victoria Falls and I got on a bus for Masvingo for I did not want to miss the great Zimbabwe Ruins. The bus stopped here in Mvuma for lunch and arrived early in Masvingo.
Travelling this way is very cheap, the five hour bus ride cost only 3.90 US$ and a room in Masvingo's "Backpacker's Rest", only 3.5 US$!
Zimbabwe
This is what I wanted to see; the Great Zimbabwe
...
See photographs from:
Zimbabwe Gallery
