After weeks of planning (yes there was a spreadsheet) we were packed and ready to set off. The plan was to leave at 3am as we knew it was going to be a long first drive…. well as with best made plans it didn’t quite happen. We set of at 2 hours late after Baby Blue had a quick check-up at the hospital (his temperature spiked during the night).

The first section of road was straight forward enough but we had been warned about what was coming. As we turned onto the Kasempa road things quickly deteriorated, ahead lay 200 km stretch of little used dirt road. The road took its toll on us and the car, it took 6 hours, we lost the petrol holder of the roof rack, and the rear of the car was making an awful clang on every bump.

We passed through tiny villages and a lot of bush, and only 1 one other car in the whole trip. Everything felt very remote, this was highlighted by us been given a letter by one villages  to deliver to the next. It was a death notice informing family in the next village that a lady had passed away and that her funeral would be later in the week.

There was one close call highlighted by husbands shout of “Sh*t I think Ive lost it”. We went over a small bridge to find the other side of it simply wasn’t there, it had been washed away. There was no stopping in time but remarkably husband manage to bounce the car back onto the road just about on four wheels narrowly missing a concrete block (remnants of the bridge maybe?) in the middle of what should be road.

When we reached the Chinese tarred road the relief was immense. We pushed onto Mongu where we hoped to find some accommodation and a garage.

Mongu was a typical African town, ramshackled and unimpressive, it did not make the most of the amazing view of the planes which could only be glimpsed through  gaps in the shacks and over concreate walls.

(Zambian road signs may be few and far between but they are interesting)

We pulled up at the only placed suggested in the lonely planet, there description was its the “best place to stay if you must”. It was not what we were hoping for after the drive,  but just about passable and very cheap. There was no chance we were washing the boys in the brown water coming out the taps or eating at the restaurant so settled them down in there nomad beds unwashed, fed on tinned spaghetti but safe. (If you ever plan on travelling with young children where you are unsure of the standard of accommodation I seriously recommend the nomad beds!! My boys have loved them; it’s their own sanctuary and space no matter where in the world they are.)

The plan for the morning was to find a garage then push on south to some touristy stuff 🙂