zimbabwe 2

Day sixty three

The customs procedure at the Zimbabwe border was the most tedious of the trip with a lot of form filling etc. We finally got through and drove on a few more hours to the large city of Bulaweyo. We set up camp int he municipal campsite.

We went into town and sat in the bank for half an hour to cash our travellers cheques. We then went to an animal sanctuary just out of Bulawayo. There baby rhino's and also cheetahs and lions and leopards. We saw the lion's getting fed. The lions are pretty crafty as if you get too close to the cages when they are pacing up and down waiting for their dinner they will suddenly swing around and squirt urine at you. It can cover quite a distance too as Michelle found out to her detriment. It stinks like anything too.

After the afternoon's entertainment we returned to the camp to get ready for our night out. We were going to a drive in movie. We picked up KFC on the way and had a few drinks while we watched the double feature which was unfortunately Free Willy 2 and then Goldeneye (better).It was quite cold out in the open as the back of the truck doesn't have heating and a few had got up on the roof for a better view. Everyone ended up in their sleeping bags by the time the movies had ended.

Day sixty four

Today we went to Matopo National Park where the Cecil Rhodes is buried. We checked out the odd looking rock formations and ancient drawings before going on a rhino safari. Our guide found the rhinos pretty quickly and we followed them around for a while keeping an appropriate distance. Rhinos are blind so they can only flush you out through their sense of smell. As long as were tracking them downwind we would be fine. We actually got quite close.

In the evening a few went out nightclubbing. The rest of use were too tired. Justine got tanked up again and got a police escort home.

Day sixty five

We had the morning to do any shopping and odd jobs and then at lunchtime we drove north towards Harare the capital of Zimbabwe. We stopped at Mopani Ranch along the way and set up camp for a couple of nights.

Day sixty six

Mopani ranch was set up for people wanting a break from the city life of Harare. You could come here and go horse back riding or nature walks or just relax around the swimming pool if you wanted. It was a casual day allround and in the evening we had an awards night for the last official day of the tour. We had award certificates made up for differing situations that had arisen during the tour and warranted a mention or award. For example, I received the elephant award because you could always tell where I had been by the amount of "shit" everywhere, a crude inference that I perhaps was not the tidiest member on tour.

We had one night singsong with the Whales Blues being recorded for immortality. In the morning we would drive into Harare to all catch our flights and go our separate ways. It had been a great experience with some strong friendships forged and I thoroughly recommend a safari to anyone who is interested in doing one.

If there is anything that you would like to discuss with me about my trip please feel free to contact me at kiwidazza@bigfoot.com.

Cheers

Darren