I left Chipata around mid-morning. Kigela Campsite is my pick of accommodation in this border town, clean, friendly, and affordable with lots of extras like a camp kitchen. Covid it seems had decimated traveling folk to a minimum as I was the only guest underneath the mango tree.

Some sort of Deja-Vu rang in my ears as I followed the endless tracks of the N4 southwest towards Lusaka. It was again, steaming hot as I stopped often enough to ensure that none of us overheated. We are not Russian after all. I crossed the newly built and impressive bridge over the Luangwa River just before the last light faded. The sun had just vanished behind the mountain terrain not far off. From here, the Luangwa River flows another 75 kilometers before entering a large delta into the Zambezi River near the township of Luangwa.

I free-camped along this stretch 6 years ago, which may not be worth mentioning. Unless you add one magic word; Baobab.

On my last visit, I camped right in between these giants and took some magnificent photographs of reflective trees.

The pond had dried out which was hardly surprising. This land needs a good drenching. Not today.

It was 6 am and temperatures had already risen above 25 degrees Celsius.

The baobab trees here are still wearing their dry-season outfit.

No leaves, no flowers, and no fruits.

A skeleton shadow reflected on this burnt ground.

What’s a baobab tree gotta do? It is dusty, it is dry.

Local housing added some sense of comfort to the Baobab desert.

Red walls made from local soils and tin roofs appeared like mushrooms from above.

‘I should have been here earlier! I should have been here before the first light appeared.

The endless horizon would offer a dramatic color scale very early morning.

I must do that tomorrow!’ I thought whilst Rick was looping vast spaces.

I had the time and I had the patience to wait. But do I get enough shade not to get toasted on the process?

I found a little bit of shade on the Great Eastern Highway outside the busy village. Locals passed by and greeted friendly, wondering why a zebra was parked there. Smile and wave in action. A rental car stopped right next to Zimba and I recognized two wondering smiling faces.

My friendly Swiss neighbors at Wildlife Camp, William, and Elana got out, asking if I was okay. What a surprise. It was a happy unexpected reunion as I explained my idea for tomorrow morning’s photo shoot. Both cars weren’t supposed to be here as travel plans took us in opposite directions. Yet, both landed here.

The current unrest in Mozambique didn’t allow them to enter, whilst Malawi’s fuel crises hit rock bottom. A detour via Zambia was the only option to enter Zimbabwe of all places. I do not doubt that the three of us will meet up again some time in some foreign terrain.

It was mid-morning and it was hot, hot, hot. I crossed the bridge over the Luangwa River to detour to the river from the eastern side. A small community lives here and they allowed me to park Zimba in some sort of shade. I met Ruth and her son Elvis on my way to the river for refreshments. The whole family gathered as I was the only Msungu cooling off in warm waters. It was bliss and a life-saving option.

The late afternoon had me moving onto the bridge.

Or shall I say, I had Rick moving over the bridge.

The sun was lowering over the mountain range as it did yesterday.