2011.06.21 - 26
This is the last post of the 5 posts which give you an overview of the Mozambique part of our MMZZ trip.
It was time to leave the Van Zyls at Gorongoza Adventure Camp, so the next morning we said our goodbyes and returned to Chimoio before taking Road 102 to the north.
This map shows you one day's travelling from Gorongoza National Park (eastern side of map) via Chimoio (again) to Catandica (western top side of map).
View Larger Map
However it might be easier to see the road on this static map. Can you see the dots/track leading to our camping spot at Swiss Bush Camp?
We stopped to buy some tsunga and saw this beautiful little girl - not even her mother could get her to smile for us.
"Please take a photo of me too?" asked this lady. Just look - the boy on the left is running to have his picture taken too!
The road (103) to the north is a beautiful tarred road with mountains on the western horizon. Time for a lunch break - and a chat with the manager of the farm.
As always, Africa's scenery is worthy of a painted picture: blue skies and yellow grass below the sparse thorn trees.
We missed the turnoff to Chris and Phillipa's campsite on the Pungwe River. As Piet had contacted them on our behalf, they were relieved when we phoned to tell them that we'd missed the turn-off to them, but were safe. They advised us to sleep over at the Swiss Bush Camp. They can be contacted at +258823003004. Remember them, as camping along the 102 is scarce!
These mountains emerged on the Zim/Moz border to the west. Views like this, tell you why we love our travels.
We refuelled at CATANDICA, a small town east of Zimbabwe's Nyanga Nature Reserve with the Chimanimani mountain range etching the border between the two countries. We looked at the camping sites suggested by the locals and decided "No" - this is not even OK, it's seriously substandard!
So we decided to follow Chris and Phillipa's advice and retrace our tracks to the turn-off leading to the SWISS BUSH CAMP +- 20km southeast of the town. The photo show you that it was too late to continue much further.
It was quite dark by the time we reached the Swiss Bush Camp where Christoff and Monica have a basic camp on their farm Luz do Sol - contact them at +258829268316. Lancelot (yes, that's their helper's name!) received us warmly and brought us warmth (fire and wood) which helped dispel the freezing cold. Even the next morning, the fire was still welcome!
Isn't the view beautiful?
This is the campsite and
this is the view over the pool (private) from the homestead. Take notice of the young orange trees in the valley - clearing the bush must have been hard work!
This lovely patch of Mopani Forest on their farm gave us much pleasure when we left the next morning.
Onwards towards CAHORA BASSA! This map shows you where the 103 (coming in from bottom of map) splits - we took the 258 towards Lake Cahora Bassa and camped where the road ended directly next to the water side. Just look how close to the Moz/Zim border we are.
Another day travelling north: more picturesque villages.
Shopping has always been a woman's pleasure - and shopping for beans is no exception!
Mozambique seems to be on the move - just look at the road making equipment which needlessly to say slowed down our progress even more!
We followed the road to Tete although we turned northwest before Tete.
Here's our turn-off on Road 258 to SONGO (T4A has renamed the town to SongA!?!). The country side has a stark appearance as it's dusty and dull.
The powerlines that we had been "following" thoughout our trip, actually originate here.
Songo can be identified by this building (below). Here you have to explain to a guard why you want to pass through the boom onto the road that leads to the Cahora Bassa dam wall. Fortunately, the words "UGEZI TIGER LODGE" did the trick and we were allowed to proceed down the right hand road.
This sign which told us our day's journey was at an end (375km in 5.5 hours) was very welcome.
We were shown the campsite where we planned to spend a few days.
At last we would be able to use the rubber duck which had been brought along to no avail until this point. Now let's see whether the two doctors and the professor can assemble this thing??
Our neighbours were Steve and Paula who were on an extensive African trip. Thank you for the Zimbabwe sim card!
Our other neighbours who came roaring in due to a broken silencer, had started their travels in Dubai on motorcycle! They had very interesting stories to tell.
We spent the next two days exploring the Cahora Bassa surrounds. A boat ride was essential.
The view of the mountains which form the perimeter of the dam was breathtaking from the boat.
Mrad love it when he "planed" the boat.
And mother and daughter enjoyed the ride.
Just look at the blue hues of sunset.
The next day we drove to the lookout point, climbed the mountains surrounding the dam and looked down at the dam wall. Wow!
These folks from Germany were bush camping near the lookout point - they store their vehicle in Tanzania and absolutely LOVE Africa!
The men were taken for a helicopter ride - a bonus for Mrad as it was his birthday! Cameras? They were too excited! Apparently we only saw a fractions of the dam - the whole dam is an amazing sight! Mrad had a good birthday.
On 2011.05.26 we paid the R720/M2880 owing for our four nights' camping. We left Cahora Bassa and retraced our tracks on the 258 to take the turnoff onto the 103 towards TETE in the north. We planned to cross the Moz/Malawi border.
We were running out of tomatoes - a good opportunity to shop again!
The countryside had a certain charm!
But the charm disappeared when the countryside started looking like an extended rubbish dump on the outskirts of Tete.
This baobab tree did much to redeem Tete.
Tete from a distance - quite romantic!
And from close quarters - less romantic (to say the least)!
We needed petrol. As always petrol announce their presence with loud music - loud music invites dancing ...
In Tete we crossed this impressive bridge over the Zambezi River.
People use the river to bathe and wash clothes.
Tete is a large city.
There are many shops.
On the roadside towards the border, selling charcoal is big business.
The mountains in the distance on the Moz/Zim border are magnificent. Do you think the people living in these houses still appreciate the view?
As a parting gift, we were treated to these spectacular monoliths.
Eventually we reached the Zobue/Mera border post - bought Third Party 8000 MalawiKwacha and ITC a further 5000 Malawi Kwacha - a total of +-R530. Getting through the border took a long time as the generators weren't working! And that meant that the computers weren't working either!
This was the last episode of our 2011 Mozambique travels.
You can see Renate's photos by clicking on the link below.
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150234362271455.310688.624021454
For the next part of our journey in Malawi, please enter the following address or click on this link:
http://mi60malawi.blogspot.com
We hope you've enjoyed our trip report thus far as much as we enjoyed the actual trip! Please let us know?
