Here’s a little thread of my highlights traveling in Africa... some solo, some group travels and most of them by road from Nairobi...

Let’s first head down South from Kenya to South Africa... first time was in a 2001 Subaru Legacy (and everyone we met on the way was like, “will it make it?”... there’s this preconceived notion that you need a fully kitted out big 4x4 to do the trip

After being on the highway from Kenya to South Africa the first go-around, some of the places visited did require getting off the beaten path. So the next time I used a 2010 Nissan Xtrail... I call her “Misty”. We have been on many adventures together

First stop... Tanzania. Border crossings are integrated now and pretty easy to cross by car if you have the right papers (log book, copy of log book [or if you don’t own the car, a letter from the owner authorizing your crossing with the car and a copy of their ID], insurance..

... The distance from Namanga to Songwe (border with Malawi) through Dodoma is about 1230km. For a photographer, that means 4 days. Tanzania is HUGE... and beautiful.. and the roads are amazing

The upper speed limit in TZ is 100 on the highways and 50kph when you’re going through towns or inhabited areas... oh, trust, the cops WILL stop you soon as they see a Kenya plate. Most of them are nice if you are... so just carry a whole load of patience and you’ll be good.

It was very interesting to witness both the differences and similarities between Kenya and Tanzania... for example... Tanzanian Maasais to the North (closer to Kenya) have more blue in their attire, a bit of a mix in Central TZ and switches to red the more South you go

Accommodation is cheap (or I should say affordable) in TZ. If you’re on a budget, you can spend as little as $10 a night (camping and food) or about $25 if you prefer a bed, pillows & a TV in the room to keep you up all night & make you stay an extra day because you’re tired

Enter MALAWI. One of my favorite places in THE WORLD. Whew... where do I begin with this country. Let me calm down... Driving to the Songwe border through Southern Tanzania kind of gives you a taste of what you’re about to get into.. altitude is about 1500m as you approach

The border closes at 6:30 BUT, Malawi is an hour behind East African time so it’s easy to miscalculate.. the mad rush (at 80kph) begins...but it’s through a winding hilly road in the rain (which is pretty much how most of Malawi is)

First stop..Lukwe Eco Lodge. As you’re driving on the highway and you see steep hills to the right and the Great Lake Nyasa (L. Malawi as known to the rest of the world) you don’t imagine you’re actually going to the top of the hill.. camping in clouds. See for yourself

The accommodation options here include chalets at $25 sharing or camping at 8$ ($10 if you’re hiring a a tent from them).. food is all grown within the compound and you have stunning views of the Nyika plateau and Livingstonia Falls.

You get the best of both worlds with Malawi... next stop is Nkhata Bay, down by the Lake.... and a treat of the coolest Lake I’ve ever seen or dipped my foot in. A place like this in Kenya would cost a fortune... here, it costs between $15-$25 a night depending on room size

As you can imagine... lingering in Malawi is a MUST.. even though you didn’t plan to And as you leave, heading towards Zambia on the M12 highway, you are treated to walls of lush green trees almost all the way

...and view points along the highway. The roads are so good (except a few patches which, as of April 2018, were under construction. Due to the long hours of driving, do pace yourself... take a break every hour at least

Enter Zambia... the border is open 24hrs so no mad rush this time. Crossing at 1 was surreal (as much as you have to wake the official up and deal with his mood) and quick. You have to buy insurance and also pay a $20 toll tax + a $30 carbon tax.

Some of the friendliest people I’ve ever met... and lots of delicious roadside meals when you’re on the road (remember, this trip is on a budget )

Most of the driving from Chipata (which is the first major town if you’re coming from Malawi) was express, so definitely a lot of road side food on the way to Lusaka and beyond. Taking in the views and stopping to rest from time to time

1200km (Chipata to Livingstone) all for the payoff that is the mighty, Mosi oa Tunya (The smoke that thunders)... or best known to the rest of the world as Victoria Falls I.... wasn’t... ready

As you can imagine, again... lingering in Livingstone is a MUST.. 4 days minimum

But it was time to leave. I will post about Botswana (another one of my favorite countries) in a different thread so let’s get down to South Africa

Driving in South Africa is a breeze... the top highway spread is 120kph (60kph in crowded areas). The border crossings can get busy but are very efficient and most of the staff friendly... first stop was Jo’burg... beautiful city, artsy and feels more like “back home”

Jo’burg is also one of those places that invites you to stay more than you had planned... the people, the city vybes, the FOOD... everything about Jo’burg just screams “STAY”.. 4 days of overstay, it was time to hit the open road to Cape Town... and that is a FEAST for the eyes

The distance between Jo’burg and Cape Town is about 1450km so definitely plan for a few stops (if you’re like me and the journey is more about the in between than the destination)...

Stops included Colesberg (accommodations at Onze Rust Caravan Park) and George (Hotel)

Cape Town is one of my favorite cities (despite its problems... especially the social/racial problems... more about this some other time) it’s a perfect mix of diverse working city and beachfront town... I also lost my drone here so

I would do this trip again and again and again and again... I didn’t realize how much I loved my continent until the rubber net the road... and I was out there, whether with friends, family or alone... and knowing that it doesn’t take much to do it, I would AGAIN

Certainly not everything was rosy... but what isn’t, really makes it worth it. Especially authorities harassing you sometimes... I was asked stopped in Zambia WHY I am a tourist... “why are you touring? You are an African”

I can’t make this up. But I will do it again.

Here’s to more African adventures... This is how my car usually looks when I’m done (especially off the beaten path)

there’s 55 countries to visit. Where would you go if you could today? Let’s get stuck in the muuuud

Parts of the trips were done with @truthslinger @lulukitololo @joshkisamwa as part of #UnscramblingAfrica. Music in the first clip was done by the amazing @mistxrlu.

None of this would be possible without any of these guys.

Embrace collaboration

The end....

Oh... before I forget. If you are ever in Cape Town... you gotta drive on Chapman’s Peak Road. One of the most scenic roads in Africa... period