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SO NOW WE HAVE FINISHED THE FIRST PART OF OUR JOURNEY, THE MAIN PART - TO CROSS AFRICA FROM NORTH TO SOUTH...
WE MADE IT!!!
We left Europe on the 20th October 2008 and flew back from Africa on the 19th August 2009 - for now.
We went through 12 countries along the Eastern side of the African continent
Our trip lasted 311 days and nights, we had a total of 52.173 km, for which we needed 6.931 liters of diesel.
On our trip we...:
damaged: 4 tyres completely, 2 stayed usable, 1 rim cracked, right side got damaged in a traffic accident, one chassis bolt ripped out
were sick: only stomach and gut trouble, maybe headache...
clicked: about 35.000 photos, including underwater ones, with our camera Panasonic Lumix FZ50
succeeded: a diving certificate up to 30m depth and did 20 dives in our logbook
met fellow travellers: 5 Dutch, 3 Malaysians, 10 Germans, 2 Belgians, 8 Suisse, 1 Austrian, 3 British, 5 South Africans, 2 Australians, 1 Croatian, 1 French, 1 Slovakian, 1 Polish and 1 Italian...(we didn't only see these on the road but mostly exchanged words or beers!)
tasted: meats: Kudu, Impala, Springbok, Crocodile, Oryx, Warthog, Camel, Ostrich (incl. eggs) and giraffe. Otherwise there is normal meat just like here.
The BEST/MOST/WORST on the way:
Nicest country: In each country there is different surrounding and people, but we were most impressed by Sudan, Zimbabwe for its people and Namibia for its fascinating landscapes
Warmest country: Sudan (approx. 46-50 degrees)
Coldest country: South Africa (till -6 at night!) and Lesotho - snow!
Most friendly natives: without doubt - Sudan!
Most friendly white-Africans: Zimbabweans and South Africans, no doubt!
Most interesting meeting: Kadugli tribe in Sudan, Omo Valley in Ethiopia - the Hamar tribe, and the Maasai in Kenya
Best shopping: on Tanzanian and Kenyan markets!
Quickest hasslefree border crossing: Ethiopia, Namibia, Zimbabwe
Best park: Kgalagadi Transfrontier NP
Wildest park: Kafue NP and Mana Pools NP
Best travelling: Namibia and Kenya
Most beautiful nature: Namibia and Kenya
Best roads: South Africa and Zimbabwe
Nicest diving spot: Egypt, Dahab - for Andrea "El Bells" for Rene "Canyon"
Nicest beach: Tanzania and South Africa's Wild Coast
Best bushwalk: with lions in Zimbabwe
Nicest bush camp: Egypt's Sahara desert, Sudan's Nubian desert, Northern Kenya, Namibia (very nice nature!)
Nicest campground: Zambia - Eureka camp site (incl. zebras, antelopes and giraffes), Zimbabwe - Mana Pools, a private camp on the Zambezi banks, comes with hippo/hyena/lion sounds and elephants, that come grazing around the car! Swaziland - Hlane NP - Ndlovu Campsite.
Best African food: All countries have lovely food, Sudan with "kisera" - sorghum pancakes, Ethiopia with grilled, spicy goat's meat and injera. Kenya with Nyama Choma (grilled goat's/sheep or beef ribs) and ugali (maizemeal)
Best photoshot: We can't decide! How would you manage with 35.000 photos???
Best animal encounter: South Africa - Transfrontier NP - lion's play!
Most horrible experience: Ethiopia and the constant aggressive begging and stone-throwing
Worst border crossing: Egypt and Zambia - both quite bureaucratic and tough on your patience (at least where we crossed)
Worst roads: Ethiopia and Northern Kenya
Most expensive national parks: Kenya/Tanzania
Most corrupt officials: Egypt, Zambia and Kenya - cops!