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Today we were back in Stone Town. We braved the rain & went exploring in the spice, fish & meat markets. Funnily enough the photos from the butchers weren't that pretty so here is one of all the spices. #day31
And after 7 days without internet access we are back!! This photo doesn't look like much but in it the group are entertaining themselves with the highly competitive 'truck surfing'. #day32 involved a whole day driving across Tanzania.
#day33 was another looooong drive day finishing with our second bush camp. Now I'm no fan of 12 hour drives but it is easier when there is this view out the window!
< MALAWI >
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#day34 and we FINALLY arrived in Malawi! To anyone thinking Africa is made up of dry, flat land I can assure you Malawi in rainy season will make you think again.
When walking along the shores of Lake Malawi we stumbled across a load of local kids fishing & enjoying the last of their Easter holidays. #day35
On #day36 we spent most of the day haggling & trading at the local market. Here I'm learning to play the addictive Malawian game of Bao with a local named Nutella #
When it stopped raining Lake Malawi threw up some pretty stunning sunsets #day37
Absolutely horrendous outfits, a spit roasted pig & a load of beach side drinking = Ben's birthday!! (thanks for the photo Lindsey) #day38
Now no one from our group expected Lake Malawi to throw up some of the biggest surf we've seen in Africa #day39
Next we left the lake side and headed south to Lilongwe, Malawi's capital city. The drive wasn't too long, we had stunning views and dinner was this meat feast of kabob goodness - so all in all not a bad day #day40
< MOZAMBIQUE >
Goodbye Malawi, Ola Mozambique! Now to get to our next destination of Zimbabwe we had to drive through the Tete corridor in Mozambique. A pretty pointless $72 spent on a visa but we were rewarded with a stunning bush camp under ALL the stars #day41
< ZIMBABWE >
We arrived in Zimbabwe!! 2 years ago if someone had told me I would visit Harare 3 times in 2 years I couldn't imagine it would become one of my favourite places. However we had mixed emotions over our Chinese that night as sadly we were saying goodbye to one of the truck favourites. Amanda we love you & it already feels strange without you!! #day42
Oh it's good to see the CBF team again!! It's been 2 months since Ben & I spent a month volunteering with this amazing family and it was so nice to be reunited. Add a peanut butter milkshake from Mugg & Bean and the day was made! #day43
And we are on the move again! Time to head south east and explore the utterly stunning region of the Chimanimani mountain range. We are so excited to stretch our legs tomorrow and go wandering #day44
A fantastic day as we journeyed along the 2 hour dirt track to the small, beautiful village of Rusitu - the village that Ruth (Mumma Spring) spent the first decade of her life. In this photo Ben is stood next to a plaque honouring the fantastic impact his Grandpa had whilst living for 40 odd years in the Rusitu Mission #day45
This is Great Zimbabwe - the second oldest ruins in Africa (the first being the pyramids). It's a wonderful nod to the undiscovered & often misjudged beauty of Zimbabwe #day46
We got the chance to meet & play with three 5 month old bubba lion cubs. Need I say more?! #day47
I'm going to sneak another photo in for today, it wouldn't be right to have spent a magical hour riding the most stunning African elephants through the bush not to mention it as a highlight of my trip #day47continued
As part of the incredible work they do at Antelope Park they offer the unbelievable opportunity to walk with two of their 19 month old cubs. It's safe to say Ben & I loved every second #day48
This morning we tagged along with the research team who track the 'wild' lions at the stage 2 of the release programme - we spent a stunning 2 1/2 hours with 9 beautiful female lions and 2 males - a true highlight #day49
After driving up from Bulawayo we have now arrived in Victoria Falls! We will go exploring tomorrow but for now Ben has found a slightly smaller lion to play with #day50
Victoria Falls are utterly stunning #day51
On Monday 25th I should have died..! Ben & I spent all morning throwing ourselves into the 120m high gorge, first on a canopy tour, then flying fox & extreme zipline finishing with a GORGE SWING!! I never dreamed I would get the courage to jump off a cliff to free fall for 70m but I did & surprise surprise it was a.w.e.s.o.m.e #day52
< ZAMBIA >
Yesterday we went to Zambia! We had a fantastic day exploring Livingstone & visiting the Zambian side of Victoria Falls. (thanks for the photo Michael) #day53
I'm going to sneak more photos in as this photo of the Zambian side of Victoria Falls is utterly stunning #day53continued
Final photo for now I promise! Yesterday we had to say goodbye (for now) to this wonderful pair. For the last 50 odd days we have crashed their romantic moments, irritated them nonstop & danced like crazy. Ben & Sheila we will miss you like crazy - see you in Cape Town! #day53continued
< ZIMBABWE >
Today we went for high tea at the prettiest place on earth #day54
< BOTSWANA >
It's true, we do go to the most beautiful places on earth!! Yesterday afternoon we spent a lovely 3 hours cruising on a boat trip up the Chobe River, after spotting elephants, hippos & crocs all in the water we then witnessed this stunning sunset #day55
Our camp all set up in the middle of Botswana next to a watering hole & a popular hang out for a whole herd of elephants. Ben & I fell asleep watching (by star light) & listening to 3 noisy elephants munching on the trees next to the truck...Magical!! #day56
Today Ben & I went flying! Grabbing the chance to fly over the Okavango Delta ourselves & 5 others from the truck ascended to witness the vast expanse of water networks from the sky. Whilst we were up there we also spotted huge herds of elephants, giraffe, buffalo, crocs, hippo & even 7 lions feasting on a kill #day57
After a very relaxing day on the waterways of the Okavango Delta we went for a walking safari - this is us heading over to the elephant we'd spotted #day58
Today we headed back from our overnight stay in the Okavango Delta - weaving through the waterways in the traditional mokoro (dug out boats) was pretty special #day59
< NAMIBIA >
Enjoying drinks by the Okavango in Namibia!! Our brief stay in Botswana was wonderful but I'm now excited to head towards heaps & heaps of sand #day60
Our bush camp for the night ended up being next to a national landmark in Namibia - an estimated 2,000 year old boabab tree #day61
When in Namibia it would be almost criminal not to visit the vast expanse of Etosha National Park. At 150km long and 50km wide it s home to Africa's largest salt pan & it was pretty awesome #day62
I couldn't not put a second photo for day 62 as it finished in an epic game viewing session by a floodlit watering hole. We sat silently captivated by the 13 elephants, 2 fighting rhinos and a lioness all came after dark to drink #day62continued
Next we headed further in to the middle of nowhere and stopped off for a night at the Otjitotongwe Cheetah Farm. In short it's a family of cattle farmers who came across these abandoned or orphaned cheetahs when tiny and have taken them in. Now all I need to suss out is how I have a cheetah in my garden at home..! #day63
As we were driving through the desert it's hard to ever imagine how civilisations coped let alone thrived. However, we were able to see the rock paintings, left by local tribes 1,000 - 6,000 years ago! #day64
#day65 was pretty awesome as we explored the Spitzkoppe rock formations. After hiking up to the top of one we deemed it necessary to get one hell of a selfie with the truck
Here is a sneaky second photo of the Cape Cross Seal Colony we went to before the Spitzkoppe rocks. There are an estimated 100,000 stinky pieces of blubber & is one of the largest Cape Fur Seal colonies in the world! #day65continued
Having woken in the middle of the desert after a chilly bush camp we arrived in Swakopmund or otherwise known as the adventure capital of Namibia. We got our first kick when 10 of us went go-carting & battled it out in a 5 lap qualifier then a 20 lap race. Lets just say it competitive... #day66
Our second day in Swakop started with a much needed lie-in & then a mahoooosive breakfast. All 15 of us then headed to the dunes and may have misbehaved on the quad bikes a little more than we should - you can't blame us, who wouldn't want to fly down a sand dune at top speed?! #day67
WE WENT SKYDIVING!!! Out last full day in Swakopmund did not disappoint! After another lazy morning we took to the skies and then plummeted out of it once we reached 10,000ft. It was incredible. #day68
Dune 45 is pretty awesome to hike up but even more fun to run down..! #day69
Feeling teeny tiny in this mini canyon hidden away in Sossusvlei #day70
At 160km long & 27km wide Fish River Canyon is preeeeeetty mind blowing #day71
< SOUTH AFRICA >
WE GOT IN TO SOUTH AFRICA!!! After a couple of months of worry we were allowed back in to this beautiful country & therefore going to finish the Oasis Overland trip in Cape Town. Here is our celebratory dinner in Stellenbosch #day72
Well today has been just lovely. After a much needed haircut & an equally 'necessary' shopping spree Ben, Keianna & I had a potter around the botanical gardens #day73
Finally, after 74 days of travelling through Africa on the Oasis Overland trip we have our first sighting of Table Mountain...What a city, what a group!! #day74
Apologies for the day delay but here it is... #day75 - the final photo of our #75daysofoasisoverland !! Our Oasis Overland adventure has been incredible & I couldn't have asked for a better bunch of people to journey with. We never thought we'd end up overlanding but Ben & I have seen, experienced and thoroughly enjoyed every step of the way. To everyone on the truck thank you for putting up with Ben & I and our constant bickering. To everyone else who have just lived this journey through our photos - I'm sorry for making you jealous!
The overland trip may be over but we aren't ready to stop exploring Cape Town with this lovely bunch. Yesterday we all climbed Table Mountain, had pancakes, then climbed Lions Head - today I'm anticipating sore legs!!
&&& we're on the move again! Cape Town remains one of my favourite places on earth but now it's time to catch a teeny flight up to Durban
So there you have it, our collection of photos documenting our Oasis Overland journey. We've broken the whole adventure in to four blog posts which you can catch up on here:
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