Magical Mocambique!!

By now, you, the astute and erudite follower of the bushcats overland africa trip, will have realised that bushcats are not "real time" cats. For a more "with it" and up to date picture of where we are and what we are up to, please click on the link to the link of Matt and Sue.

Anyway some extracts from the moleskin diary of the bushcats, the preferred choice of Hemingway and us cats.

Doctor to Kruger  
The car was packed and waiting at the entrance to the Rosebank clinic while I whizzed upstairs for a final check up. 15 mins later and we were off, having got the all clear.
A word of warning to those choosing a Land Cruiser 4.2D for long trips, cruise it certainly doesn't, so Tom Cruiser chugged northwards to Phalaborwa where we would enter the park.After a quick take away stop for breakfast and a diesel stop we finally made it into the park with just enough time to spare to make our check in at Mopani for the Tsendze Rustic Camp. Now what we've been doing in Moz is rustic, Tsendze certainly isn't, it is fantastic!! Choose camp site 3 if you can. M&S were looking positively relaxed as we arrived as dusk settled on the camp. For only the 2nd time ever we tackled the Roof top tent. Now...to all safari chicks past and present... RESPECT. You girls are amazing, this is not that easy. I end up sweaty and dusty every time. So does Rebecca as she is also very much in help mode. We spent the next day sorting out the vehicle and working out what we'd forgotten. Then it was off to Mopani to fill up and head to Giriyondo Border Post. I have to say that I am very impressed with Kruger. It is still great value and the picnic spot on the way to the gate was magic.

Southern Mocambique

The transfrontier park was so different. No infrastructure what so ever. At the exit gate, the seller of  3rd party insurance had knocked off for the day. It was 3pm after all. With much gesticulating we found the park HQ outside Massingir and finally a new camp site, no signposts, where we spent the night. The park guys were organised and they sent the insurance guys to our camp site where we got the necessary documentation.   Massingir Dam is huge, it was a pity the camp site didn't have a great view of it. As we had entered lower down than anticipated we aimed for Chidenguele on the coast, just north of Xai Xai. We were struck by how different Moz felt to our previous trip when we'd driven up to Vilanculo with Jane and Alastair. Gone are the red and white tapes denoting landmine areas, gone (so far anyway) are the police road blocks that always used to pull you over. Only been stopped once near Quelimane.

Anyway we then started the long slog northwards. Moz is huge. At times it felt more like a route march than a holiday. Decided to venture onto the Inhambane Peninsular as w hadn't done that bit before, camping options were fairly limited both at Tofo and Barra. Unfortunately we didn't hook up with Joanna and Gary who were there at the same time, instead found a sorry campsite in a stunning spot at the Barra lighthouse. Kaz locked a barking dog in the ladies but that's another story.

Bought the first of many dozen rolls leaving Chidenguele, they seem to have become our staple diet.

Morrongula was our home for 2 nights woo hoo. Right on the beach, quiet and well run. Sea had quite a side wash but Rebecca weasel was in her element in the water. The bucket and spade got dragged out and brought in to use. As did the Cobb braai, amazing thing and so versatile, every camper should have one. Hard to leave M after only 2 nights but we still had so much country to cover. We also have to change our mind set from planning a 2 week holiday on the beach to that of a 7 month explore of a continent!!



Central Mocambique