Day 51: Musungwa Lodge Campsite – Kaingu Lodge

The terrace by the pool overlooking the lake is very inviting, and we don't have far to travel today, only about 75 km. So we take it easy in the morning and use the WiFi to "work" on our diary.

We basically leave Itetzhi-Tezhi to the left and shortly after turn north onto the so-called River Road. There's no sign of the river, and the track is sometimes a bit rutted. But it's fun to drive through the small settlements. The people are friendly and wave, a few older girls try to high-five us.

We get a glimpse of a completely rural region. Bush and forest. Painstakingly cultivated fields of corn, sunflowers, and other slash-and-burn crops. Goats. Garbage. Small huts and dense settlements. Rudimentary educational opportunities, as far as we can tell. Only a few motobikes, almost no cars, no agricultural machinery.

We were at Kaingu Lodge last year. We enjoyed it a lot, and before we plunge into the hustle and bustle of Lusaka, we're taking a day off here. It's funny that yesterday, right across from the rapids, we saw the herd of elephants and had our lunch break.

It's very cozy here. Around five o'clock, we have a rock shandy in the launch area, watch the vervet monkeys playing, and enjoy a bushbuck. They're usually so shy that we've barely managed to get a decent photo yet.

And this evening we'll have some peace and quiet to cook and have a campfire.