Getting from Nampula to the half-forgotten island was surprisingly complicated. Rather than spending another eight hours changing between crowded minibuses, we hired a taxi for 5,500 MZN (176 km / 3 hours), which proved to be well worth the extra cost. The Island of Mozambique (Ilha de...
One of the best roads we drove in Zimbabwe brought us to the capital in just five enjoyable hours. After many days of navigating pothole-ridden highways, the smooth 317-kilometre journey felt almost magical (toll fee 2x 4 USD). We spent two nights and one full day exploring Harare...
Bulawayo is Zimbabwe’s second-largest city and the cultural heart of the Matabeleland region. Situated in the country’s southwest on a gently undulating savanna plain along the Matsheumlope River, it lies at an elevation of 1,341 metres above sea level, giving it a pleasant...
We spent a few days exploring Livingstone, Zambia’s tourism capital, located just 10 kilometres north of Victoria Falls on the northern bank of the Zambezi River, which forms the natural border between Zambia and Zimbabwe. Founded in 1905, the town was named in honour of the...
We spent the afternoon in Zomba, Malawi’s fourth-largest city, located in the scenic Shire Highlands. The city sits at the foot of the majestic Zomba Plateau, a vast 130 km² mountain massif whose highest point, Malombe Peak, rises to 2,087 metres above sea level. The plateau is...
We spent one day in Fianarantsoa, a major highland city in east-central Madagascar, situated at approximately 1,200 meters above sea level on the eastern escarpment. Known as the intellectual capital and as the “place where one learns the good,” it is distinguished by its unique three...
We spent a day in Madagascar’s central highlands, in the historic heartland of the Betsileo people and a town often called the “Capital of Woodworking” for its renowned Zafimaniry art. Ambositra is a high-altitude city (1,342–1,422 m elevation) serving as the capital of...
Just a short distance from Antananarivo, Ambohimanga, the “Blue Hill” and the most sacred site of the Merina Kingdom in Madagascar, offers a unique glimpse into Madagascar’s royal and spiritual past. Once a stronghold of the Merina people and the base of King...
Today, we spend the whole day in Harar, a fortified historic city in eastern Ethiopia, in the Ch’erch’er Mountains, at an elevation of 1,800 metres. It is known as the “fourth holy city” of Islam and has been considered a major commercial centre in the Horn of...
In the morning, we finally went to explore Berbera. First, we drove to the historic port, which is now part of the new port complex. It’s not possible to get there, but we got a permit via friends to drive through the port. Unfortunately, we were not allowed to get out of our car...