Our Trip to Zimbabwe – 2011 – with Cederberg 4x4 We were just 3 vehicles, 3 couples, absolutely magic people Left to right – Emelia, Anton, Charles, Coenie, Reinette & the cool photographer added on (ha, ha) (couples = Charles & Emelia, Anton & Reinette, Coenie & Trix)

Now before we went to Zimbabwe we had no idea what to expect there. We were warned to be careful. The internet warned to not expose our wallets re snatch and grabs. We left with trepidation, entering the unknown What were we to experience there?

I have never, in all our travels, met friendlier black people. They were absolutely amazing. Everyone we came in contact with says, Hello, how are you?. With great big smiles on their faces. - Everyone speaks English – they study the language at school. - The country is green and beautiful - No potholes in the roads - No beggars - Positive attitudes - Lots and lots of wildlife, the most weve ever had in our campsites. - The shops are well stocked with food. - The weather was great - Police at all road blocks just waved us through while hassling the locals. The friendliest black people I have ever met on all my travels, they were absolutely amazing. Sunsets over the Zambezi More wildlife in our campsite than in any other county Lots & lots of water Lots of stuff to do

Everyone we came in contact with said, Hello, how are you?, with great big smiles on their faces. Everyone speaks English – they study the language at school. The country is green and beautiful Positive attitudes No beggars Lots and lots of wildlife The shops are well stocked with food. The weather was great Police at all road blocks just waved us through while hassling the locals.

Our rendezvous was at Khama Rhino Sanctuary in the south of Botswana, thats where the Botswana trip ended (16 vehicles – 36 adults and 11 children) The trip started on such a special note – the fellow above came to drink water right next to our vehicle and the next morning he rubbed his horn on the vehicles bumper while we were still in the rooftop tent.

Big Cave Lodge in the south of Zimbabwe, our first stop. A wonderful introduction to the country Highly recommended Of course we camped in the beautifulcampsite Pretty Ablutions !! And we did discover a new mode of transport transportfor Cederberg 4x4 !!

The roads, scenery & vegetation are great. No Potholes, thats more than we can say for our own country

Our next stop was Hwange Nature Reserve (previously Wanki) where we spent 2 nights, allowing sufficient time for the other two couples to go on game Drives, where they saw a good variety of animals. Coenie and I took advantage of the time to just park-off in the campsite.

On our way from Hwanke National Park we stopped at a school because Charles & Emelia brought boxes of school supplies, from sponsors, for the students and Anton & Reinette brought Bibles for the teachers. Everything was received with extreme gratitude and joy.

Then off to Victoria Falls ! Lots&LotsofWaterandPower Sunset Cruise on the Zambezi A great campsite with lovely restaurant What a pleasure.

We left Zimbabwe at Vic Falls to drive for one day through Zambia instead of three days through Zimbabwe. Huge mistake Zambia was dilapidated, neglected and oh so sad Next time well rather take 3 days going through Zimbabwe.

Kariba Dam is amazing, nearly 400 km long & its man-made Our campsite was beautiful The pub on the waters edge was a good place to park off and relax Elephants grazed just outside the camp outside the camp While we braaied at night, hippos grazed around us grazed around us – absolutely amazing

Antelope Park is really something An amazing Lion breeding project Great facilities You can walk with the lions You can enjoy an elephant ride

Hippo Creek Lodge, near the Zimbabwe Ruins, our last stop John the hippo grazes around the camp in the evening The chalets have huge, have huge, stunningly tiled bathrooms bathrooms Very large beautiful bedrooms And a great swimming pool

What a magic trip it was to Zimbabwe Anyone thinking of heading in that direction, we highly recommend it. Were sure to be going again next year, so plan ahead and come join Cederberg 4x4 on a tour through this amazing country. Trix Radyn