Africa United...

a travel blog by Paddy&Kavitha

A trip 12 months in the making,
Now counting days to its beginning.

It began with vague ideas of South America or Africa,
Deciding on one month, three months
Now, here or never..

The continent of Africa winning the bid by a slightness,
the untouched,
the unkept,
the awe-inspired.

Lions, Giraffes, Leopards and Gorillas,
Beaches, Deserts, from The falls to the Jungles.
Culture, Colours, remnants of Tribes,
Orphans, Warriors, Poverty & Genocide.

Emotions, experience, history in mind,
Slow steps backwards to the beginning of time.

Windhoek, Namibia

Our first night we stayed in a vineyard and we watched Ireland loose a miserable game of Rugby to the all blacks. Pride hurt we battled on and stayed a second night on the Nambian border. We swam across Orange River that day and set foot on Namibian soil. We quickly swam back as threats of shots from the government over diamond protection made us swim quick. Next morning we entered Namibia properly. From the largest sand Dunes in the world to cool German style towns; this place is nuts. This new country doesn't have the racial tension of Sth Africa but has the same mix of people.

We slept in the coolest of spots: deserts where beetles stand on their heads to drink the dew that drips down their bodies in the morning to foxes with ears bigger than dumbo and the cool german influenced beers and food. Not to mention the activities:
Desert walks; Dune climbing for sunset; ski diving; quad biking; camping; eating talking drinking. The excitement of the group and what was ahead was at full tilt at this stage. Nambia is a little jewel. Small population; great sites; cool landscapes and lots to do!

written by

Paddy&Kavitha on November 22, 2008 from Windhoek, Namibia

from the travel blog: Africa United...

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Maun, Botswana

We entered this place with great enthusiasm. Relatively small population this country has a huge concentration of animals in the north, this is home to the Okavango Delta!

We stocked up at Maun and headed into this Delta via mokoro The water is only a few metres deep. We are canoed in by polers through the reeds and camped in the Delta: no fences, no limits, just wild Africa!

We canoed around and saw hippo coming to their waterholes; and we had a few walks around looking for animals: unfortunately the land mammals were shy in the Delta so we decided we'd jump on a small plane and see them from the air. We rocked up and our Irish pilot flew us scarily low over this vast National Park and we saw all the Mammals in their glory, Elephant Hippo Giraffe were all visible. We got off the plane and camped overnight with the creppy crawlies of Africa

We moved on after that to see Chobe National Park We saw carcasses the river, crocs chill'n and new born impala all over the place. After an afternoon of R&R we cruised the Chobe River for one of the most spectacular sunsets of our lives. Sipping on beer you could see giraffe grazing; baboons messing, birds nesting, snakes swimming, hippos strolling and best of all Elephants crossing thee shallow waters right in front of us. This was a highlight for us. A must do for every person out there. Chobe we love

written by

Paddy&Kavitha on November 25, 2008 from Maun, Botswana

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Livingstone, Zambia

With news of a cholera outbreak in Zimbabwe we settled on the Zambia side and got ready for a bit of R & R and activities:
We settled down with the locals of Livingstone and haggled on wood carvings, eat crispy chicken and drank Mosi!
We witnessed a village chiefs new wife's kitchen party on our way to bungi jump over the Zambesi river.
This is no-mans land: Not Zimbabwe, not Zambia! tied together we jumped 110 metres down! As we curled our feet over the edge, Kav screamed " I can't do it"!!!! We jumped. All good. The best adrenalin rush ever!!

Next day when we calmed down we headed over to Zimbabwe and visited a Lion park and walked with cubs and witnessed the locals walking across the border to buy their bread and meal and milk. All this with their billion dollar Zimbabwian notes.

One of the natural wonders of the world exists here in the shape of Victoria Falls! Overall [heightxwidthxdepth] it is bigger than Niagara and the views are amazing!

Back to Zambia; sunsets in a pool by the Zambesi, we got ready for our next chapter: Malawi!

written by

Paddy&Kavitha on December 2, 2008 from Livingstone, Zambia

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Senga, Malawi

We spent our days waving to the locals from the truck and sleeping under the stars by lake Malawi.

This freshwater lake takes up half the country and provides Malawi with its lifestlye. Snorkelling, swimming, drinking and chill'n was the draw of the day. We had dinner in a local village on Kande beach and danced one night away with singing children!

HIV and poverty are really evident here. We visited schools and clinics in Kande; a reality check really.

Mango season provided us with free refreshment from the heat. One afternoon of soccer with the locals was enough to see why they saw Malawi is one of the friendliest parts of Africa!

written by

Paddy&Kavitha on December 6, 2008 from Senga, Malawi

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Zanzibar, Tanzania

Alright! We entered Tanzania to discover Irish had to pay $100 for a visa. Doubin the price of other nations. I tried to discover why and later in the week I saw Kerry Gold - perhaps Cheese and Butter in the supermarkets , perhaps this caused it.

This place was to be a highlight. We entered Dar es Salaam and could see poverty in our face. Dar es Salaam means 'place of Harmony' ; this is dated..trust me.

Ignoring the litter this place offered a gateway to beautiful Zanzibar. A couple interesting ferry journeys we stayed 2 nights in Stone town [the birthplace of freddie mercury] and haggled with the dodgey locals on food; drink, directions & personal space.

Where slaves were sold to Arabia in the past now left a buzzing gluttered town behind.
We left it behind and headed for Zanzibar. The waters crystal blue; the seafood delicious and the stars Bright.

Two nights here and we savoured the white sands and peace of these East African islands.

Pushing onto Christmas week we left and headed for Wildlife Heaven: Serengeti & Ngorogoro Crater!
Zanzibar deserves a 3 month visit!

written by

Paddy&Kavitha on December 9, 2008 from Zanzibar, Tanzania

from the travel blog: Africa United...

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a travel blog by Paddy&Kavitha

Spitzkop, Namibia

South Africa to Namibia : The Sand Country!

Windhoek, Namibia

Ghanzi, Botswana

Botswana: Wildlife, Wildlife!

Maun, Botswana

Zambia/Zimbabwe!

Livingstone, Zambia

Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe

Malawi - Lakes and Locals!

Senga, Malawi

Mikumi, Tanzania

Stone Town, Tanzania

Tanzania : Stone Town battles; Zanzibar paradise

Zanzibar, Tanzania