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I love adventure and exploring new places.

Brighton and Zimbabwe Adventures

Where does the time go… We had a lovely 2 weeks in the UK before setting off on our road trip to Zimbabwe, Zambia and Malawi. As time goes by, we miss our kids more and more and perhaps it is time to move closer, let’s see. We arrived to a heatwave that was really pretty hot, hotter than Mozambique and did a pet sit in a gorgeous house in Ditchling, what a treat that was. Nelly was a pleasure to look after and the aloof cats eventually came over for hugs. We spent time with the kids, friends and family and did our customary family escape room.

Sunset view over a tranquil landscape with silhouetted trees and fields in the foreground.
A sunny beach scene featuring sunbathers lounging on deck chairs, with red and white umbrellas, and a distant view of a partially collapsed pier over calm waters.
Sweltering in Brighton beach
A seagull perched on a weathered red box near the beach, with a clear blue sky and distant pier in the background. A handwritten note is affixed to the side of the box, expressing thoughts on change and personal experience.
A seagull standing on a red recycling bin, with a clear blue sky and seaside in the background.
Three people posing for a selfie in a gym setting, with fitness equipment in the background.
Fun at the gym
A group of six people posing playfully with raised hands against a scenic sunset backdrop, featuring grassy terrain and trees.
Dramatic sunset with vibrant clouds and silhouetted trees in the foreground.
A scenic view of white chalk cliffs along a coastline, with a winding path leading through grassy fields and a clear blue sky.
Seven Sisters walk, stunning views
A scenic view of a beach with white chalk cliffs in the background, peaceful waters, and green hills, featuring people enjoying the shoreline.
A panoramic view of white chalk cliffs alongside a calm sea, with a beach in the foreground and green hills in the background under a partly cloudy sky.
Group of five people posing together in a themed room with painting portraits on the walls and a wooden display in front.
It is not often that the room beats us…
A group selfie featuring six individuals, including an elderly woman in a wheelchair wearing a hat and floral dress, surrounded by young adults with various hairstyles and expressions, taken outdoors in a garden with a house in the background.
Two passengers looking displeased while seated on an airplane, with a focus on their expressions and surroundings.
Oh no, time to leave…

We had one day in Maputo to get ourselves sorted for the road trip. Lots of packing!

A white SUV parked with a red cargo box on the roof rack, showcasing outdoor adventure gear and accessories.
View of the back trunk of a white SUV filled with various bags and luggage, including a red suitcase and a black cooler, parked on a grassy area.
A white SUV parked on a driveway with its trunk open, revealing luggage and gear. A man stands beside the vehicle, smiling, with a green jerry can on the grass nearby and residential buildings in the background.

This is our rough route, a 6,000 km circle! Couldn’t quite get the exact route as some offroads don’t exist on the map. We started off by going into Zimbabwe, a beautiful country of outstanding beauty and lovely people.

Map showing a travel route highlighting various locations in Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, and Malawi with a blue line.

Our first border was Sango/Chicualacuala going into Zimbabwe. The plan was to enter Gonarezhou NP and come out but this was foiled by a collapsed bridge over the river. Apparently, it collapsed in 2000 but Google Maps doesn’t seem to know this. Fortunately we were able to go back into the park and continue that way which was a bonus as it is a truly stunning place.

A serene landscape featuring a calm river with sandy banks and remains of a bridge in the background on a clear blue sky day.

But back to the border crossing. We have done that crossing multiple times now and it is always eventful. Either the border is deserted and there are no officials, or they are at lunch, or they want to chat rather than get on with letting us through… This time, we encountered a building site, so much dust, as two guys manually sanded the ceiling. The printer wasn’t working so they couldn’t print our visas so all in all, it took nearly 2 hours to get through. Good that we were the only people there or else it may well have taken much longer. The white stuff is very thin dust, it was everywhere. Plus a couple of comfy chairs to help with the wait!

Interior of a customs office undergoing renovations, featuring wooden counters, workers in masks, and various construction materials.
Interior view of a customs office with a wooden counter, two staff members working, and cleaning equipment on the floor amid construction debris.
A person wearing a blue shirt and gray shorts stands on a floor with visible footprints and a layer of fine dust.
Two tall bar stools placed outside a brick building. One stool has a red cushioned seat, while the other has a discolored seat cover. The setting appears to be in a sunny outdoor area.

Going through the park involved a river crossing, one of the most beautiful where we saw a kingfisher catch a fish and batter it to death!

A serene landscape showing a winding waterway bordered by greenery and rocks, under a partly cloudy sky.
A view of a rocky path extending into a partially flooded area, surrounded by greenery and a cloudy sky.
A bird perched on a rock by the water, holding a fish in its beak.
A bird with a spotted black and white plumage standing on a rock by the water, holding a fish in its beak.
A black and white bird perched on a rock along a riverbank, holding a fish in its beak, with water flowing around rocky formations and grassy patches in the background.

We made our way to Mutare on the foothills of the Eastern Highlands. The town itself is nothing special, pretty large, the third largest in Zimbabwe, but the attraction was to visit part of the highlands. It was pretty cold and rainy and we made our way to Vumba Botanic Gardens. It is a beautiful drive through lush forests, waterfalls and mountains. It was pretty rainy and we didn’t come across any other visitors so had the place to ourselves.

A man poses playfully in front of a bright yellow frame labeled '# VIEW POINT MUTARE ZIMBABWE', with a scenic view of mountains and valleys in the background.
A couple posing for a selfie in front of a sign marking the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe, with mountains in the background.
Panoramic view of a valley surrounded by mountains at dusk, featuring a mix of greenery and urban areas under a pastel sky.
Scenic view of layered mountains at sunset with a gradient sky transitioning from orange to pink.

Vumba Botanic Gardens, really gorgeous forest walks, plenty of monkeys and stunning views.

A serene landscape featuring a tranquil pond reflecting lush greenery and trees, with a small gazebo on the left and hills in the background under a partly cloudy sky.
A serene landscape featuring a calm lake reflecting a lush green garden and distant hills under a cloudy sky.
A lush green forest scene with tall trees, dense undergrowth, and a variety of plants, capturing a serene natural environment.
A person walking along a mossy path surrounded by lush green foliage and tall trees in a forest.

We stopped by at Marindi falls in the Vumba mountains on the way back, a long drive through the mud and an awful road through beautiful jungle. Started wondering where the hell we were and if this was the right way until suddenly we arrived at a small hut where a woman with a baby was selling tickets. She showed us the way and wow, so pretty! Crystal clear water, freezing cold, raining and we find these guys playing in the water.

Two men standing in front of a waterfall in a lush green forest, with water cascading down rocks.
Three men playing in water at the base of a waterfall, with one man splashing and two others enjoying the scene.
A man and a woman smiling for a selfie in front of a waterfall, surrounded by lush greenery.
A cascading waterfall flowing over dark rocks surrounded by lush greenery in a tropical forest.

In the mountains with a little warm sunshine!

A white SUV parked on grassy terrain with trees and mountains in the background. The vehicle has storage boxes on the roof rack and a clear blue sky.

Crossing the border into Zambia at Chirundu was quite laborious. There were baboon guards patrolling the border, scaring people and trying to grab food. The border crossing was quite complicated, many rooms and unclear instructions so all in all in took a couple of hours and it was quiet. Can’t imagine how long when it is busy….

A street scene featuring a baboon walking near a market area, with people sitting and standing along the sides, blue poles supporting structures, and various parked vehicles in the background.

Next blog is on Zambia!

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