Day 14:
Yesterday (14 Nov), as I'm 2 days late due to full days and lack of reception.
This morning I woke up a couple of times and stood up looking for Elephants but could see any from the lodge.
We had breakfast and Abri washed the dishes in the bath and yes I have pics to prove this. The sun and blue sky were back.
We left after that. A moment of stress going out of the camp. And off we went on the Elephant road. I stood up on my bike for 30km looking into the bushes. And then thought whatever. This is the most boring road we've done so far. Then moment of panic in the helmet, everyone shouting. Photo blablabla and in Afrikaans so I could only guess there was exitment. And there it was, 20m on the left everyone piling on the breaks. We got a couple of pics but Abri wanted to take pics from behind, the bikers were quite keen to take it from the front, you can only imagine we were quite keen to pass it and then think of pics. We were undoubtfuly in first gear at all time ready to burn the rear tyre. All in we missed the money shot picture. A bit later, we wouldn't miss the next elephant pictures. We were looking at the bull and got amazing pics. We shut down the engine not to diturb him but I can guarantee you we know exactly how to start the bikes quickly. Abri left the car to take the pics but not too far and ready to run.
Later we saw a whole bunch crossing the road a few hundred meters away. Hennie shouted "quick boys" so we gave gaz up to 150km/h and saw them very well but arrived too late for an ideal pic.
We arrived at the Zimbabwean border. We knew it was a quite border going in a national park. But we didn't know how the road would look like, neither do we for the next days. Everyone at the border on the Botswana side told us it wouldn't be a good idea. They showed us the border registration book showing only 4x4 were going. In the dry season it would be doable but it had rained the day before and the last 4x4 got stuck.
The more people said it was not possible, the more I left my quote "fuck the adventure" behind and wanted to go for it. I could easily feel my friends thoughts too. Abri was a definitely no go as he drives the car which is not a 4x4 and which is very low to the ground due to all the thinks we have in the car. He was keen to take the tar road and go for another border. Hennie and I shared the same thought. So we decided to throw the coin to the best of three tries. The HK dollar coin said twice no, and there was no need to theow it a third time. I was still in for it and said to Hennie, fuck the coin, let's go for it. I could see by his smile that he was a 100% with me.
Then we asked another guy from the Zimbabwean side how the road looked like and he said that it was shit for 8km and then better. It's the kind of situation when you asked the same question to everyone until you get the answer that suits your will.
So off we went and had to get into Zimbabwe. It took Hennie an hour of discussion, a couple of beers and a lot of negociation to get us through with one third of the price asked first. There we were, off in the bush passing a board indicating the safari area. The bikers were exited and Abri, whose smile had disapear for a long time, was livid.
We were told there were lions in this reserve. So Hennie was riding in front. The first thing we saw was a girafe skull. The tone was set.
After 1km, in the second muddy part the car got stuck. The words that were then pronounced can't be written down. The bikes were through. So we stopped all three of us and it took us 1h30min with the jack, the spade, many stones and a lot of sweat to get the car on solid ground. Abri was supsisiously clean. Indeed you don't get very dirty from calling for help
Just pulling his led here as his role is not always the nicest: taking pictures, going through difficult road and being in charge everyday of the unpacking and packing of the car.
We temporarly forgot about lions while trying to free the car.
We carried on me upfront this time, saw a lot of game, like baboons that terribly look like lions from far, kudus, plenty of crowned headed guinewfowl, waterboks and all kind of boks. Hennie was guiding the car, I was in front trying to read the holes, not be in the way so Abri could keep momentum, and not be to far in case I'd have an unfortunate encounter if you see what I mean.
At the top of a small hill with difficult rocky raod, we saw buffalos. We unfortunately split the herd on both sides of the road and had therefore to be extra careful. Nevertheless we stopped the engines to enjoy the sight. At that very same moment, a car which I took for a game drive car with tourists, arrived. They stopped and started to talk to me. I clearly noticed it was the police and told them naively we were surrounded by buffalos. Hennie got that it was the police and, as we avoid contacts with them, he kept on shouting through the radio "go Fabian, go". My helmet was screaming and I had all the reasons to obey, except the 3 guys at the back with their AK47 Hennie, hadn't seen, who were very clearly not happy for me to move. Now the choice between Hennie's orders and 3 AK47 was quickly made. I didn't move and they started to ask us questions. They let us go but not without telling us that bikers were not allowed in the parc. We then asked if there were lions in the park as everyone told us. They answered positively, stating that it was the exact reason why bikers were not allowed. They also added that the lions were always following the buffalos. At least it was clear...
We carried on and didn't hear Avri much except for directions. Hennie and I were absolutely chuffed about the ride. The scenery was magic going on this road, through the bushed, watching the animals and reacting to every smell that could indicate a presence. An eagle took off just in front of Hennie's front wheel which reminded me of the smaller bird that crashed dead on his helmet on the first day on the South African highway.
The second part of the drive was quicker on better, yet floaty, dirt roads. It was not Abri's day. I fell for him in the bukky on these roads. For us it was fantastic, the vegetation, the animals, the road, the sun setting down in our backs lighting up our faces in the mirrors. I was quite happy we made it through the park before dark. We were on the tar again in the dark. My eyes we tired because of the sun and the dust.
We had another 50km to do to get to the victoria falls, which we did our warning lights on, to reckognize eachother and as if we were escorting a vip, which we did in the person of Abri. We saw a Lepard crossing the road. As we were riding and driving towards the Vic falls, we saw beautiful lightnings in the far. Approaching the town, we slowed down as people were driving really bad and there were loads of people walking on the road.
We arrived at the lodge and went straight to the bar and the pool. Hennie went in with all his clothes, I went half dressed. This had two benefits: we cooled down after a very hot sunny day, especially trying to free the bukky, and our clothes were more or less washed.
After dinner, we then went to unpack the car and in order to finalize his bad day, Abri broke one the car's windows. That gave us one of these opportunities to end up the day with a general laugh, eventhough we were certainly not sure whether it was because it was funny or just faith. We were all tired and the only way close the chapter was to order two wiskies each just before the bar closed and share the experience of the day.
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