Crossing our 2nd border post and into Zambia

We managed to cross our second border post into Zambia successfully today and it feels great to have yet another milestone past! This morning we woke up refreshed from our night’s rest next to the hippos and decided to push on towards the border of Zambia as it was only 113km away. First we checked our docs (first time we really looked since we left more than a week ago) and realised that we forgot the original copies of our car registration papers back home (oops! My fault as it was my job to pack the docs) but thanks sooo much to mother Esther that helped us today to get the papers on a courier service to Livingstone!

We took the following photo on the road between Kongola and Katima this morning to show you the early morning traffic… :o)

At Katima Mulilo we treated ourselves to a Protea Hotel toasted sandwich. The staff opened up the kitchen especially for us and we were very thankful! We stopped at the Total garage just before the border to get some last suggestions and tips for crossing the border. The owner helped us with some tips and then proudly showed us around as they are currently busy with some major renovations. When we arrived at the Total there was a whole group of Germans on Harley Davidson’s touring towards the Caprivi.

The one German was totally crazy as he rode his Harley with shorts, a t-shirt, plakkies and best of all a ‘pispot’ helmet with the American flag on and his sunglasses, topped off with a kidney belt – really really crazy! Now over to Francois for the rest of the update…

At immigration leaving Namibia, they very friendly official went AWOL after which another lady helped us. The two policemen at the gate were also very friendly and amazed by the bikes. This gave us (false) hope of a sub-one-hour border crossing.

Once on the Zambian side none of the buildings were marked. A couple of guys under a tree directed us to immigration and we were greeted by a friendly two-some who explained to us what we need to do. We only realised they were fixers once they asked whether we have been to Zambia before and explained to us we need four documents (or receipts) in order to traverse Zambia in freedom. After our passports were stamped we commenced to a small office for Carbon Tax payable in Kwacha, which we didn’t have. They made a ZAR price and looked at Tania saying “I pity her”, after enquiring about our trip and a “is she going to make it?” after giving Tania a good once over. They were lovely and our fixers took the receipts to follow them to the Road Toll booth. We tried our best to keep possession of the receipts, but they kept asking to keep it. After Road Tax, we entered Alusi en Fesha (our fixers)’s office (read dilapidated hut) where they issued 3^rd party insurance (on two different companies’ forms). I think this is where they made their fee… Thereafter we entered a caravan that looks like it’s been played conkers with by Topgear, filled with women lying on the bunk beds and an official with a receipt book. This was where we got the Council Levy. More than ZAR1000 later we were waved goodbye and crossed the mighty Zambezi.

The road to Livingstone is lined with little villages and friendly people.

It looks like you are riding through a game park with all the Mopane trees and Yellow Billed Kites in the air. We stopped for a quick Coke at a truck stop outside Kazunkulo and chatted about our border crossing experience. It is amazing how we are falling more in love with Africa as we travel further North. We booked into Jollyboys Backpackers in Livingstone and just had butternut soup and garlic bread. And a couple of Mosis.

Tomorrow we plan to visit Victoria Falls and explore the surroundings.

Here is a bonus pic of our ride yesterday from Ngepi lodge back to the main road taken with the GoPro camera. Yep another one down!

and another cool one of the awesome toilet at Ngepi lodge – ladies how about some renovations to suit the man?!