Botswana to Zimbabwe

Overlanding in the south of Africa is so much easier than the north. Short driving days, campsites with swimming pools and decent bathrooms. Toilet facilities that have toilet paper and soap is luxury indeed, especially when I think back to some of the filthy squat toilets earlier in the trip. We've even stayed in some places that don't feel the need to padlock the toilet paper - most overland campsites do this as they know overlanders will just take it if it's not locked down!

Also exciting news is that some camps recently have offered a proper laundry service - washing machines and clothes that are returned to you smelling of fabric softener. The clean clothes thing never lasts long though as we currently have a gas "crisis" and have to cook all our meals over a fire so our clothes constantly smell of smoke. I use the word "crisis" very loosely. We have lots of crisis on the truck (almost daily) - it is amusing what some people regard as a crisis and it has become something of a joke among those of us who are more laid back. In actual fact, we did eventually find some gas before leaving Botswana yesterday after spending quite a bit of time driving around Francistown - most places had sold out but we managed to get the last gas canister at about the fifth attempt.

So yesterday, we left Botswana and crossed the border into Zimbabwe. We are currently in Bulawayo, the second largest city in Zimbabwe. Last night we stayed in a HOTEL!! I think it is about a month since I slept in a bed (Zanzibar was the last time) and the past week has not been very comfortable given that my thermarest (sleeping mat for those not in the know) has a leak and deflates during the night. So a double bed with a duvet and four pillows was heaven. No point getting too used to it though as it's back to camping tonight. We leave Bulawayo after lunch and head to a national park for a couple of nights where we get to go rhino tracking. Hopefully my thermarest is now fixed as I've located four holes and patched them up (thanks Paul for your help).

Only just over a month of the trip left now and the last few countries have flown past - I cannot believe we are in Zimbabwe already with only Mozambique, Swaziland and South Africa to go. I really don't want it to end!