‘Padoko, Padoko’ Veroso kept saying. Slowly, slowly up the mountain. Mount Binga to be exact.

Monte Binga is Mozambique’s highest peak at 2400 meters and lies in the Chimanimani Mountain ranges, bordering Zimbabwe to the west.

It was a fresh morning in the valleys of the Chimanimani Mountains. It gets freezing cold here in winter.

I had a date with a king this early morning, we were to climb Monte Binga. But things are never what they seem.

Belem and I left camp around 6 am on this cold but calm morning. I gave Zimba some extra time to warm up, we have a tricky track to start our day with.

Watching the sunrise in a mountaineers area is always fascinating. A lot of light creating a lot shadow over the granite massive.

Reflected sunlight shimmered within blue skies. It looked magnetic and I couldn’t wait for things to come.

Of course, Belem had his gun ready, poachers are quite frequent in this national park.

Zimba tacled this track just as well as he did yesterday.

When we arrived at the departing point to the mountains, the bus and trailer of Moz Adventure Tours had already been parked. I pulled right in next to the adventurer and watched a heap of people scurrying around, packing and organizing. 10 hikers from all parts of Europe, as well as some local Mozambiquen, were tackling the same track, up to Mount Binga. Porters, guides, and one cook were needed to transport food and accessories uphill to Mosquito Camp.

From what I understood from my discussion yesterday with Barrak, the tourism officer, is that one can walk up to the top of Mount Binga and back again in one day. And yes, it is possible. But what really is the point of that? In hindsight, this was one of the toughest mountain trails I’ve done for a while. Probably since Mount Mulanje in Malawi 6 years back.

King Mambo was busy organizing porters, cooks, and tour guides for a 10-man and woman-strong crew heading up the mountains. They had planned and organized the hike in 3 days and two nights camping in the mountains.

‘Are you feeling strong?’ He asked me. ‘Strong as an ox. But ox don’t climb mountains’ I replied.

He told me there was no way I could reach the top today as we left it late to leave. We would have to stay a night at Mosquito Camp and return tomorrow.

From a visitors point of view, this information should have been shared from the very beginning. It would have been my preferred option as camping in the mountains is one of favourite places to pitch a tent.

King Mambo appointed Veroso to be my tour guide and organized a tent for the two of us.

I quickly packed the necessary belongings for a hot and dusty track to come, followed by freezing overnight temperatures.

And off we went. The first part of the journey was rather relaxing.

We crossed the Nhamadzi River for the first time, where team Kuifie caught up with team ‘Moz Adventurous’.

My tour guide’s English was pretty good actually, so we could get to know one another.

He has been up this mountain only once before and I am his first solo travel guest.

Good for him and good for me. Let’s see how this works out.

We had a great time by the river, taking photos of this impressive backdrop. Glassy clear water cascades emerged from or near oversized boulders. Weathered over time by the forces of nature. I could see and feel the strength these waters have in the rainy season.

Golden reflections in calmer waters.

By the time we crossed the same river the second time, our destination was visible at a very far distance.

The track itself became increasingly steep and steeper. ‘Padoko, Padoko’ my tour guide kept reminding me.

I started huffing and puffing distinctly as we sat in the shade to watch Team Adventure pass us by.

‘Padoko, Padoko’ the other guides said with a cheeky smile on their grin.

‘You wait until you get 55!’

The curios-looking Mantapa tree is as black as the night. Usually, off-burning is the cause for the black color, but this tree is black naturally. It is very popular for carpenters to carve out statues, Verdoso told me.

More and more Padoko breaks were necessary as we climbed up in elevation. The air became increasingly thinner.

Or my sinuses are more congested. Probably both.

It took some effort to reach our lunch and picnic stop by the creek. Glassy waters slowly meandered toward the valley we just come from.

Some of the adventures had already arrived and enjoyed a cooling dip in chilly mountain waters. The lady cook had already started a fire to prepare lunch. Mountaineering in style gotta give them that.

I relaxed in the shade for a while, catching my breath. Little by little, the rest of the adventure mob arrived. Huffing and puffing as much as I was.

‘We are very close to Mosquito Camp’ Veroso mentioned. ‘Do you want to climb Mount Binga today?’ he asked. ‘It’s not that far.’ ‘Too far for today. Let’s go up tomorrow early morning.’

We left the adventure tour with their well-deserved lunch and headed towards Base Camp.

More up and a little down, only to go up again. But evevetually, we made it for the day. Hooray. Mosquito Camp is a very basic camp. Basic dug-out hole for toiletries and a basic door for a basic shower.

I preferred to wash off in the creek below. It felt great to get out of my hiking boots and soak my feet in freezing waters. A refreshing bath washed off the sweat and dust accumulated.

We decided on a tent spot away from the crowd that was yet to arrive. It’s not quiet even but at least we have some peace.

Team Moz Adventurer Tours arrived late afternoon and set up camp in the main drag. Tent on tent, bumper to bumper. It’s a busy ‘Chimanimani’ place in the Chimanimani Mountains.

I climbed a nearby rock to watch the disappearing sun be yonder the horizon.

The color spectrum ranged from orange to blue and pink. Just breathtaking. The little I had left.

Often enough, I asked myself, why I am doing this. The answer is right in front of me in the shape and colors of nature’s glory.

Meanwhile, the full moon appeared over the eastern slopes. It just keeps getting better.

Young French girl Alba joined me meanwhile as we both shared travel stories from the past.