Blog 14 Kariba –Harare

Blog 14

Kariba –Harare

We woke early and took a very careful drive along the powerline road to Padenga crocodile farm hoping we might be lucky enough to see an elephant which apart from a distant view through the binoculars had evaded us. Not to be sadly!!

We visited Gary Sharp and daughter Joanne at the croc farm passing by large specimens in their pools and cages as we drove by. We heard all about the business which is complex and exports its total crop of skins and most of the meat to Europe. Direct to Hermes then onto smaller businesses like Gucci, Louis Vouitton.   Quite an intricate business with lots of quality control and as you can imagine bureaucracy and complicated process to transport and export.

We missed our chance to photograph FAF 2 for Prop Renene’s dad as we met the main road once we left Padenga beyond the airport.

We were again unlucky as we saw absolutely no wild animals all the way up the escarpment .  The heavy truck and bus traffic we met once we hit the main Harare Chirundu road was scary to say the least. The ridiculous behaviour of some of these drivers overtaking multiple vehicles on a blindrise just was gobsmacking. We drove with caution and avoided any mishaps.

We had been recommended we stop at Lions Den for a “best in the country” borewors roll. It was well worth it and we found some great droer wors and biltong at the associated butchery.  We found plastic bags filled with water hanging around the take away a means of deterring flies – it seemed to work as we ate our boerewors rolls.

We stopped off along the way at the Chinoi Caves a beautiful cave with clear turquoise water filling the bottom of the cave. The full depth and extent of the cave has yet to be determined. An amazing feat of nature. The walls are covered with a filigree of spider webs and monkeys came tumbling from small cave mouth in the walls. Fish were seen swimming and were so easily visible in the clear water. Blessed to have had the opportunity to visit again.

 

 

We drove onto Harare turning onto Harare drive and travelled past a mix of old and new large walled residences. The road is littered with potholes despite being one of the major road conduits around the periphery of the city. It appears the council believes the government should be responsible for its upkeep The government has responsibility for state roads and the municipality for the city roads.

 The contradictions of Zimbabwe are so clearly seen travelling down this road with modern 2015 4 wheel drives and SUV mixing with old decrepit vans on a road full of potholes wending its way past huge mansions and gardens resplendent with trees and flowers.  We travelled on back to Ruwa to Graham and Elaines property for the night and ate the most tasty mutton stew.