ZAMBIA & NAMIBIA 2013: REPORT No. 1: PRETORIA (SOUTH AFRICA) to KABULA LODGE (ZAMBIA)

STATISTICS -

Persons in party - Wife and I. Decided to travel solo - much more flexible, do what you like, don't have to drive in another man's dust and a bit more adrenaline when driving in isolated areas without any back-up

Vehicle - 2003 Toyota Prado 3.0 Tdi (KZTE engine) with 202'850 km on the clock with African Outback roof rack, National Luna Duel Battery System, Gabriel Safari HDP heavy duty socks and Bridgestone Dueler AT 265/65/R17 with two additional spares on roof racks.

Trip - 3 Aug 2013 to 1 Sept 2013. Total travel distance 8'162 km. Diesel used 1'031 litres @ 7,92

km/litre

Mechanical problems - None

Tyre problems - One flat tyre, which were reparable (pick up a steel nail on the tar road to Sossusvlei)

********************************************************************************

Day 3, 4 & 5 - Elephant Sand Lodge (Botswana) to Kabula Lodge (Zambia) - 451km

We try to leave early on day 3. The road between Nata and Kasane are known for speed traps and we don't want to exceed the speed limit. There is no surplus cash to pay a "on-the-spot" fine. After Kasane we drive through the Chobe National Park and spotted elephant, impala, giraffe and sable antelope. Today we have to cross two borders, The 1st one at Ngoma Bridge is in a beautiful setting next to the Chobe fload plains and as usual very efficient and friendly In Katima we stock-up at the local Pick-'n-Pay. ! Luckily we have been stocked with the best spare ribs in the world, pre-cooked and vacuum pack, by our local butcher in Fairy Glen, Pretoria. The new border post building at Katima on the Zambia side is a huge improvement and much more efficient and friendly then it used to be - 20 minutes in-and out! The road up to Kabula Lodge are now tarred and a pleasure to drive.

Ngoma border post

The first two nights we are the only people in camp. It was a dark moon and the stars were incredible beautiful. The southern cross and milky way were unbelievable bright and were entertained by some "shooting stars". That night we have a chicken potjie which we thoroughly enjoyed. The next morning we were wakened by the "ooomf ooomf" sound of Ground Hornbills. The next day-and-a-half we spend on the Zambezi river looking for some tigers. My wife and I catch 10 tigers between the two of us, with the biggest a 6,3kg monster, caught by the lady of the boat. We have some great fun.