The primary constant during our time in Africa has been the feeling of being uncomfortable. I’m referring to physical discomfort, not the discomfort that comes from traveling as a privileged person in a land that lacks it (we’ll write about that another time). Humid beyond belief. Hot, intense sun. Omnipresent insects, especially at night in our tent or room. Bumpy roads. Long drives. Constant sweat. Frequent rain. Fleeting internet access. Sporadic electricity.
We did a sunset game drive a few days ago, but a rainy night made for a less than stellar experience. But the two highlights were a (rather vicious) zebra fight and elephants playing the mud. The sunset was pretty nice too! -S 🇿🇲
Many of our meals on this African tour are made by our guide/chef from the side of the Nomad truck. We have been pleasantly surprised by how tasty they have been. Last night in Malawi, some locals joined us and cooked us some of their local dishes, which were delightful. -J 🇲🇼
When we renewed our ASU football season tickets in early 2024, it was beyond our wildest dreams that we’d be listening to a radio broadcast of ASU going into a second overtime of a playoff game while we laid in our bed, in the dark, under a mosquito net in Malawi, fighting off swarms of bugs. 🇲🇼
Rainstorms have been a constant thing here in Africa. Here is yet another storm approaching—this one brewing over Lake Malawi earlier this morning. We managed to get the Nomad truck up the hill and out of the campground before it hit. -S 🇲🇼
Happy New Year from Malawi! -J 🇲🇼
We’ve made it to Malawi, which involved a two hour delay at the border crossing. Today is a long transport day—which apparently includes a pretty sketchy road (or off-road route, as we understand it) that we need to complete before dark. With luck, we’ll celebrate New Years near Malawi Lake.
A few photos from our morning safari in South Luangwa National Park, Zambia. -S 🇿🇲
We’re at a tented camp at Luangwa National Park, but wifi only works for two hours a day, and only if the electricity is on (it’s quite unreliable here in Zambia). So it’ll likely be another day or two for some photos. But we’ve been enjoying our wildlife experiences here, with more to come tonight.
I’m not sure you can travel thru rural Africa and not return home a changed person. -S 🇿🇲
Our African adventure continued this morning when our truck attempted to drive out of the campsite. We drove about 30 feet and promptly got stuck in the mud. Had to spend time helping get it out so we could be on our way. -J 🇿🇲
A few favorite shots from the last few days. -S 🇧🇼🇿🇼
We knew East Africa would be more challenging, and it quickly lived up to its billing. Just 90 mins into our journey, the brakes on the truck failed, stranding us on the side of the highway for 7 hours, huddling under trees for shade. Luckily, we could continue in a replacement vehicle. -S 🇿🇲
Victoria Falls serves as a turning point for our tour. We exit Southern Africa and cross into East Africa, which we expect to be the most challenging portion of our 100-day adventure. We said goodbye to some members of our tour yesterday at Vic Falls, who had signed up for only the eight day Jo-burg to Vic Falls stretch. Among them were Erik and Beathe from Norway, friends we happened to make at our hotel bar a number of days before this tour started.
I bought an MGD—my dad’s old favorite—on the first day of our safari, with the intention of paying homage to him on Christmas here at Victoria Falls. So after carting this can around the African bush for a week, Jen & I found an appropriate spot to enjoy it, and pour some out.
🍻 To Norm! 🍻🇿🇼
Merry Christmas from Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe! We enjoyed an afternoon looking at the falls (despite a quick afternoon downpour). -J 🇿🇼
When your hotel room comes with nightly in-room mosquito spraying and mosquito net turndown service, as well as an airhorn to scare off any unwanted wildlife…you know you’re in Africa! -S 🇿🇼
A few shots from tonight‘s river cruise on the Chobe River along the Botswana/Namibia border. -S 🇧🇼
Christmas Eve dinner, cooked out of the truck. -S 🇧🇼
We spent two nights in a tented camp in Khwai Conservation Area, with our first “full day” of safari game drives—one in the early morning and another in the late afternoon and past sunset. Here’s an update on our first morning game safari, which was very fun. And another update after our sunset game safari, which also includes a bit more on our accommmodations here. We recorded this second video from our subsequent tented camp near Chobe National Park, which overlooked an elephant watering hole.