Zimba had his filters replaced and injected new oil into his veins in Lusaka. If anyone is looking for qualified good mechanics in the vicinity, you won’t go wrong at Danitsa’s Garage. Specialized with Toyota but handy with all off-road vehicles, Dan is the off-road Man. Zimba even had a wash, inside (engine room) and out. I barely recognized him.

This was the highlight of my stay in Lusaka. Pioneers Safari Lodge double-booked and kicked me out for the second night, the shine is off.

I stopped in Kafue on another sweltering hot day. It was 6 years ago when I met Joseph. Back then, he was the security guard and kept an eye out for Zimba.

Now he is driving trucks and has gotten married.

He named his first son Ben.

Now there are four.

They are on a good path, it’s great to see. I still had a long way to go.

My destination was the ‘Lower Zambezi National Park’, which visited last time as well. I had some amazing memories made here. Camping on the shores of the mighty Zambezi. Elephants drop by before or after crossing the river border to Zimbabwe. Surrounded by ancient baobab trees.

And the tragic death of a young buffalo by 4 young male lions. That was hectic and touching in natural ways.

I had three issues getting to the National Park this afternoon;

1) was a police blockade after a downhill stretch from the mountains. A speed camera pulled me over. I was doing 70 in a 30 zone according to old mate sitting in the back of a Toyota Corolla. His boss was twice the size. She sitting in the front seat. ’We must impound your car’ was his second sentence.

‘30 zone? For what? Is there a school or a hospital nearby? Maybe a firefighter warehouse around the corner? And why is the camera only pointing in one direction? The downhill slope?’

‘There are signs along the way that this is a 30 km zone. You must have passed them?

‘Hehe’ I had a wee jiggle to myself.

These are the triangular warning signs for heavy trucks coming down the mountain. A recommendation so to speak. Alright, if that’s how we do it? Let’s do it! I went back to Zimba and got Osmo out and started recording. I just made up some rubbish in German and English, I can’t remember what exactly I said. ‘If you want to impound my car and take me to court, I need to know your name and your batch number’. The fine had meanwhile decreased drastically. ‘I am not paying any money, this is fraud. And it is on my camera.’

‘Have a good day!’ the officers eventually said.

Fine! No fine? Finally!

2) I lost precious time with government officials, I had only a few more hours of daylight left as I remembered the gravel road to the national park was in painful condition back then. Painful for all of us.

I wasn’t disappointed. It’s only 60 kilometres in distance but these hard corrugations shake the life out of anything, no matter how you swerve left or right. Washed-out and exposed rocks on the track didn’t improve any comfort. I am just happy to have Zimba. Just like a trooper and never-ending stamina.

3) Number three matter was the heat. It would have been at least in the mid-thirties degrees Celsius. At least. The mountain range north of the Zambezi River and its national park sealed the heat like a frying pan. Most of the action will be held early mornings and late afternoons. Everything far and in between will be a bonus.

I found a niche around a few baobab trees not far from the river. It was the last shimmer of any daylight as I saw the giant trees shadowing the horizon. Perfect spot right here and right now. It still felt like a sauna at 9 pm. Even too hot for flies and mosquitoes. I left the loftus tent’s front entrance unzipped and hung my head into a cooling breeze. I saw the silhouette of a small herd of elephants. Lions roared from the mountainside. And hippos chose to chew on the little cellulite that was left next to Zimba. Love it.