Thursday, 9 March 2023

Lake2Cape - Zambia

Vic Falls from the air - The Zambia/Zimbabwe border

Due to the effects of cyclone Freddy which has already dumped rain on Zambia and on its way back after gathering strength off the coast, the Zambian leg saw us bypassing South Luangwa and Lower Zambezi, both of which were flooded, and heading straight to Livingstone to check out Victoria Falls. 

Wednesday, 1 March 2023

Lake2Cape - Malawi

The official start of our trip - Lake Malawi

Our final day in Blantyre was here with the cleaners cleaning out the house as we left for Lilongwe to get the car fridge fitted out at Northside Motors. Fridge fitted and we headed off to Salima so our official start point would be at the Lake. 

Tuesday, 28 February 2023

Lake2Cape - Our planning... or lack of it... for a trip of a lifetime

Check out the Polarsteps daily entry for a log of our 'Lake2Cape' trip

Overlanding 60 days over five Countries

This was an adventure of a lifetime that all overlanders dream of, a long trip over a month or more. Not many of us get this opportunity due to work and family commitments or simply don't have the gear to last much more than a long weekend of camping. 

Sunday, 26 February 2023

Malawi - the warm heart of Africa

The Lake of Stars

Throughout our travels in Southern and East Africa, Malawi had never been on our radar. What little we knew about the country was about it being the home of Lake Malawi (known as the Lake of Stars). 

Saturday, 17 September 2022

South Luangwa NP, Zambia - Day 7

Elephant family at the hide 

We didn’t need to get up at 5am to do a game drive, but habits die hard and we were up not long after that to catch the sunrise.  Our plan was only to get across the border, not all the way home to Blantyre so were weren’t in a hurry to get going.

Friday, 16 September 2022

South Luangwa NP, Zambia - Day 6

The magnificent African crowned eagle

Our last day in South Luangwa and as usual we were up and at the gate just before 6am.  Nothing of significance wandered into our path and soon we were headed to the Mfuwe lodge area where surprise, surprise the lions hadn’t moved more than 20 meters from where we’d seen those full lionesses the previous evening.  Except that the males and the lionesses that we’d seen the previous day had joined up with the 2 females and now the pride was 8 strong.

Thursday, 15 September 2022

South Luangwa NP, Zambia - Day 5

Male lions watched on by the zebras

A good day yesterday, so could today live up to it? There was no question about where we were heading to first – Wamilombe!  So it was through the gate past the same self-drive car that was shooting the sunrise again and straight to the plain.

Wednesday, 14 September 2022

South Luangwa NP, Zambia - Day 4

Highlight of the trip!

Every evening we sit under the stars with a glass of wine, listen to the sounds of the bush and decide for the route for the next morning.  And as usual, Wamilombe was at the top of our list.  It’s just too difficult to let it go knowing that if we see something first thing in the morning it would be special. 

Tuesday, 13 September 2022

South Luangwa NP, Zambia - Day 3

Southern carmine bee-eaters on the Luangwa river bank

We were up early as usual and off to the park first thing, passing a self-drive car that was on the bridge taking photos of the sunrise.  We went through the riverside drive just to see if we could find the little leopard again, but no sign of him so we headed off to our favourite area – Wamilombe. 

Monday, 12 September 2022

South Luangwa NP, Zambia - Day 2

Male lion at Twin Baobabs
Wamilombe is an area in South Luangwa that is easily accessible from the gate, only about 15 minutes drive.  The beauty of the place is that it’s an open plain and perfect for photographing early morning if there is anything special on the plain.  Although we haven’t had great luck (having said that we’ve seen leopard and wild dog there on a number of occasions during previous trips) it is an area that is hard to look past first thing in the morning, and our hope is always that we will find a leopard on the plain in morning light.