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18th - 23rd april

Overlanding across Afica in our Land Rover Defender: Zimbabwe

Andy Lees
2006-05-16 14:38:30

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with cold beer and tasty plates of egg and chip butties. we were happy and content. it was getting quite late in the day and we had c. 60kms to get to our campsite so we reluctantly left the pub and headed into the park. from the moment we passed through the gate we saw no end of animals.

zebra and giraffe grazed at the side of the road, hippos wallowed in a cooling pool, a large breeding herd of elephants was crossing the road in front of us. we waited, not wanting to interrupt their flow. it was a beautiful sight. time was ticking on though and we had only covered a few kilometres. the last elephant crossed and we drove on. within 500 metres another breeding herd crossed again in front. we waited patiently but were keen to move on. driving at night breaks park regulations and we didn't want to face a fine. as we turned the next corner there were five wild dogs again in the road, followed by three hyenas enjoying the warmth of the tarmac. the light was going and we had still only covered a mere 8 kms. by this stage there was no time left to look at the animals. we passed two rhinos just metres from the hyenas. no time to stop.

it was dark, the tarmac'd road was narrowing. the headlights were picking out wildcats, hares, nightjars, and more elephants. it was only our second night drive but the situation was making it too stressful to enjoy. we found the campsite, the warden was waiting for us. a young lad, he made a fire for us. we gave him a beer. we were too tired to eat after the excitement of drive so we had an early night.

we were woken by the warden. it was already light. we had missed sunrise but there were lions on the road outside. by the time we emerged from the tent and packed up they had gone.

we drove further into the park to masuna dam picnic site, where we would camp for the night. it isn't really a dam, but it does have a waterhole with a comforatable hide overlooking it.

we spent a good ...