Apologies of the out of date nature of our last postcard, yet again the internet failed us and whilst putting some photos on couldn’t put up any writing, but I thought you would like to hear more about our riverbed/gorge adventures in Tanzania.

            Anyway we are now back out of Malawi and into Zambia. Malawi was a fantastic place, with beautiful beaches along the lake shore, which is fresh water so no salty skin feelings. We stayed at two different places for two nights each. The first was Chitimba Beach Campsite, which we found through using Dan and Amy’s eight year old lonely planet. The place had changed its name and I have no idea what it was like before, but it is now a very laid back place with big sofas around the bar to lie on and a beautiful view out onto the lake (see previous photos). It was just what the doctor ordered after are bush adventures in Tanzania.

            The second place was called Kande Beach Campsite and was a bit more upmarket with more facilities. We went sailing and snorkelling and also got the car cleaned inside and out by a local guy, which was a massive result. We also met some nice people in the second place, there was an Israeli couple who have come up from South Africa in a Landcruiser painted like a zebra and there were two American girls who were suitably impressed that we had driven from London and might be accompanying Henry back to Nairobi when he flies back out in the New Year.

            Whilst we may not have lived up to our hardcore explorer and driver of river beds reputation during our stay in Malawi, we are counting it as a holiday and are now back to bush camping and escaping from angry elephants. We are going to spend the next few days in South Luangwa National Park before heading to Victoria Falls, which should provide us with suitable wilderness.

            It has to be said, however, that the journey has become far easier since arriving in Malawi and in fact since we have left Northern Kenya. We are now on the track beaten by overland trucks throughout the year and have the soft option of staying at any host of campsites should we need a hot shower or a bar. Rather than having no choice but to cross deserts and camp in the wild, we now have to actively seek out the wilder areas. The roads are also better and we have been treated to our longest stretch of tarmac on the drive down into Zambia (500km) since Egypt.

            So things are good in here in Africa and we think we might actually make it to South Africa (not counting any chickens). Keep the comments coming, last time I checked it looked like Mummy and Daddy Baird were slightly overpopulating it, so it would be good to hear from anyone else that is taking a sneaky look whilst in the office.

We will report back at the next opportunity hopefully with some more photos.

Wish you were here

Alastair and Henry 

Ps Eike and  Eckhard thanks for your messages its great to hear from you . I am very glad to hear you made it all the way safely - congratulations! Unfortunately we got your message too late to go golfing in Lilongwe although it sounds very amusing! Let us know of any other cool places though as it would be a shame to miss anything amazing.