Bridging The Continents
Bridging the Continents follows André van der Most's overland expedition from Holland to Uganda in a Toyota Land Cruiser along Africa's west coast. The podcast combines travel storytelling with deeper insights into the communities and organizations encountered along the way. It highlights the work of local nonprofits and the challenges and triumphs of driving through diverse landscapes. Aimed at listeners interested in adventure, cultural exchange, and grassroots social impact, it offers a personal and purposeful view of the journey.
Afleveringen
May 24 2026 - Encounter Overland Reunion Ends Epic Journey
Location: CanadaSummary;May 24th, 2026 marks the final recording of my epic 8.5-month journey. On May 20th, the day after arriving back on Fashion Island, I turned right around and drove to Nanaimo on Vancouver Island, Canada. I took the Black Ball Ferry from Port Angeles to Victoria and then drove up to Nanaimo for a very special event — an Encounter Overland reunion organized by Dennis Cornell.
May 12 2026 - Nairobi to Bangkok to Japan Travel Day
Location: Kenya Summary:Today, May 12th, 2026, I started by dropping off my rental car at the airport with the help of Steve Mogul, who handled all the administrative details remotely — pretty impressive that it all worked without an office on-site. From there, I caught a 9 to 10-hour flight to Bangkok. With a 6-hour time difference from Nairobi, I ended up with about a 9-hour layover in Bangkok.
May 11 2026 - Visiting Burn Manufacturing in Nairobi Kenya
Location: KenyaSummary:Today was my last day in Kenya, and what a day it turned out to be. I started the morning at the Mabati house, a beautifully designed rental property where the walls literally open up so you become part of the surrounding landscape. I had met someone from the Swedish Embassy in Nairobi the night before, and we had great conversations. After breakfast, I packed up and began m
May 10 2026 - Sanctuary Farm Kenya
Location: KenyaSummary:I woke up in a tent at Sanctuary Farm near Lake Naivasha in Kenya. The farm has a fascinating history — it was originally connected to Sir Derek Erskine, a Brit who stayed in Kenya after independence. His son Francis bought the 450-acre farm in 1974, and now it's run by the third generation. Guy and his late wife Julie had three children: Jamie, who designed the rental homes
May 9 2026 - Sanctuary Farm at Lake Naivasha Kenya
Location: KenyaSummary:I woke up on May 9th, 2026 at the Kozhi Airport Hotel, which was a really well set up guest house with great coffee. It was a little tricky to get to, but since I was driving, the pothole-filled roads weren't a problem. I rented a car because I only have 3 days in Kenya and wanted to make a special stop at Lake Naivasha, which is about a 2-hour drive from Nairobi. With extra
May 8 2026 - Flying From Malawi to Nairobi Kenya
Location: MalawiSummary:Today, May 8th, 2026, I traveled from Malawi to Nairobi, Kenya. My flight with Malawi Airlines departed around quarter to 5 Malawi time, and with the one-hour time difference, I landed in Nairobi around 8 in the evening. Before leaving, I ran into the Swiss couple again who had quite the adventure exchanging money on the black market — they were whisked away in the back of
May 7 2026 - Last Day Exploring Lilongwe Malawi Travel
Location: MalawiSummary:Today was my last full day in Lilongwe, Malawi, and I spent it wandering around the neighborhood to soak in more of the city. One thing that really stands out here is how properties are walled in — fancy ones and regular ones alike. Walls go up first, then security guards come with them. It gives an impression of safety, though you have to wonder why the walls are needed in
May 6 2026 - Leaving Hospital & Exploring Lilongwe Malawi
Location: MalawiSummary:Today, May 6th, I left the Hôpital Saint-Jean after my stay there. The hospital kindly organized my departure and arranged a ride for me into town. They had offered to take me all the way to the airport, but since I wasn't flying out today, I just needed a lift into Lilongwe. The driver was essentially a hospital taxi driver who makes regular trips to the city for patients
May 5 2026 - Car Handoff to Hospital in Malawi – A Giving Day
Location: MalawiSummary:Today was the handoff day, and it was truly a rewarding experience. I did the last few things with the car I've been calling "Orange" – it never got a better name, but Orange says it all. I packed up, took out what I needed, and drove from Hope's Inn along the back roads to the hospital where I'd been in touch with the administrator. When I arrived, the administrator had ga
May 4 2026 - Leaving Malawi: Car Transfer & Visa Extension
Location: MalawiSumary:Today was a really big day — one I had been waiting for. Stephen, one of the administrators at Nakoma Mission Hospital, and I drove together in my car to Lilongwe. The scenery along the way was amazing as always. We picked up a passenger along the route and dropped them off before heading to our first destination: the Malawi Revenue Authority (MRA). The purpose was to get my
April 29 - May 1 2026 - Catching Up with Friends in Malawi Travel
Location: MalawiSummary:These past few days, from April 29th through May 1st, I've been taking things a bit slower in Malawi while recovering from a cold and sorting out logistics. On Wednesday the 29th, I finally caught up with the North Carolina group I'd been trying to meet. Persistence paid off, and they invited me to share dinner with them. We had a great exchange of stories — Frank, one of t
April 28 2026 - International Potluck Tuesday at Hope's Inn
Location: MalawiSummary:Today, April 28th, I found out about an International Potluck Tuesday being organized at Hope's Inn. I was invited and felt great about it, though I had also committed to meeting with a North Carolina group at the Bella restaurant. I tried going to the restaurant the night before, but it was closed on Mondays. When I went back before the scheduled meeting time, there was no
April 27 2026 - Land Cruiser Ambulance Project Update in Malawi
Location: MalawiSummary:Today, April 27th, I had someone from the hospital come to get a first look at the Land Cruiser project. I've been making lists of everything that will be included with the vehicle and noting the few things that need fixing. Happy Megawi came by, and I couldn't think of a better person to help see this through. He took the Land Cruiser for a test drive around the surroundin
April 26 2026 - Walking Through Nkhoma Sunday Market & Town
Location: MalawiSummary:Today is April 26th, a Sunday, and I spent the day exploring Nakoma on foot. I forgot to mention that last night I had dinner at the Bella restaurant — just a quarter chicken, but it was really delicious. The night before, I had run into John and Beth Murphy from North Carolina, who are part of a church group visiting Nakoma for two weeks. Their Presbyterian church back hom
April 25 2026 - Nakoma Mission Hospital Visit & Fuel Shortages
Location: MalawiSummary:Today is April 25th, a Saturday, and I wanted to share a fun experience from yesterday. While driving back from Lilongwe to Nakoma Mission Hospital, we encountered a traffic jam at a gas station where people were lining up in anticipation of a fuel tanker arriving. During that traffic jam, Stephen spotted Dr. Moyo in a truck next to us. Dr. Moyo lowered his window and said
April 24 2026 - Donating a Land Cruiser to Ngoma Mission Hospital
Location: MalawiSummary:Today, April 24th, I started the day leaving my hotel and immediately noticed the long lines at gas stations. People were just waiting, hoping a tanker truck would arrive. The fuel prices here are absolutely insane — diesel costs 6,687 kwacha per liter, which works out to almost $15 US per gallon. Apparently only Hong Kong is more expensive. This is an extreme case though;
April 23 2026 - Driving to Lilongwe: Waka Waka Hotel Stay
Location: MalawiSummary:Today on April 23rd, I drove 350 kilometers back to Lilongwe along the same road I had traveled before, just in the opposite direction. Much of the road was still under construction, requiring slow detours around bridges being built, but the hillsides and mountains remained fascinating even on a second viewing. I found a place to stay near the direction I need to head tomor
April 22 2026 - Umunthu Guesthouse Mzuzu: A Hidden Gem
Location: MalawiSummary:I decided to stay an extra night at the Umuuntu Guesthouse in Mzuzu, Malawi, and I'm glad I did. The place has a wonderful atmosphere, and I really enjoyed talking with Caitlin, a Dutch woman who came to Malawi in 2006 from the Netherlands. She and her husband originally settled at a spot on Lake Malawi where they ran a camp for overland trucks for about five years. Tragica
April 21 2026 - Stranded at a Bridge in Malawi: A Detour
Location: MalawiSummary:Today, April 21st, I intended to head south in Malawi but the day took quite a different turn. Before leaving, I gave away a lot of my camping gear — frying pans, technical equipment, and other supplies I hadn't been using since I switched from wild camping to staying in lodges. I left things with Blessing and Rachel, the housekeepers who had been so kind to me, and with Da
April 20 2026 - Overlanding Malawi: Kande Beach & Bridges
Location: MalawiSummary:Today, April 20th, I stayed another night at Kande Beach Resort while Bruce Cowley on his yellow motorbike headed out despite his hurt ankle. A local guy who goes by the name Mel Gibson helped Bruce find a less sandy route so he wouldn't have to drop the bike as many times. I later heard that it worked out well for him. We also got word about a bridge that's out about 50 km
April 19 2026 - Exploring Kandy Beach Resort & Community in Malawi
Location: MalawiSummary:Today on April 19th, I had another wonderful day at Kandy Beach Resort in Malawi. I caught up again with Dave Barton, who has been running this place for 33 years. He first discovered the location while camping and started building it in 1993 — remarkably, the first 10 years were without electricity, relying only on an occasional generator for power tools. Over the decades,
April 18 2026 - Arriving at Kande Beach Resort in Malawi
Location: MalawiSummary:Today, April 18th, I finally made it to Kande Beach Resort on Lake Malawi — a destination that has been my end goal since I started this journey back on September 26th. It felt truly amazing to arrive after all this time. Before I get into today, I want to share a bit more about yesterday. I took a walk in Nkhata Bay after dark with no electricity around, which made for a s
April 17 2026 - Driving Down Steep Hills in Malawi
Location: MalawiSummary:Today I left the Mushroom Farm Eco Lodge, where I had met some fascinating fellow travelers, including a Swiss couple on a year-long sabbatical touring Africa by public transport. I headed down a very steep hill toward Kondowe on Lake Malawi — it reminded me of Sani Pass. The descent was full of rocks, ruts, and hairpin turns, and I took it very slowly in my Land Cruiser. H
April 16 2026 - Coffee Farm Tour in Malawi's Mountains
Location: MalawiSummary:Waking up at the mushroom farm in Malawi was an exciting experience. The cabin sits on a steep drop with barely any fencing, and one wall of the restroom building is essentially open, offering a stunning panoramic view all the way to Lake Malawi. The accommodation is a cozy Kopp house with room for four, though I had it all to myself. They use composting toilets and have ho
April 15 2026 - Riding to Mushroom Farm Eco Lodge in Malawi
Location: MalawiSummary:Today on April 15th, I left Mzuzu heading for the Mushroom Farm Eco Lodge, a ride of about 130 kilometers. The scenery along the way was even more beautiful than what I had seen on the road into Mzuzu. The roads were a mixed bag with plenty of potholes to watch out for. Along the route, I noticed tobacco fields and drying facilities, a reminder that tobacco farming is still
April 14 2026 - Road Trip to Mzuzu Malawi
Location: MalawiSummary:Today, April 14th, I headed north in Malawi to explore more of the country before I need to leave. Julie is occupied with her conference and interviews, so I set off on my own. My first destination was Mzuzu, about 350 kilometers away. The road was mostly in good condition, though large stretches are still under construction — meaning I often drove on temporary roads and ha
April 13 2026 - Interviewing WHO Tropical Disease Experts
Location: MalawiSummary: Today, April 13th, a Monday, I took it easy for most of the day before heading to the conference center. My goal was to interview Dr. Seke Kayuni along with Julie Jacobson from Britain, who works with BridgesToDevelopment.org, about WHO's designated 21 neglected tropical diseases. Getting there was easy since it's not far from where I'm staying. Even though the conference
April 12 2026 - Picking Up Julie at Lilongwe Airport Malawi
Location: MalawiSummary:Today, April 12th, 2026, was a very special day. I picked up Julie Jacobson at the Kamuzu International Airport in Lilongwe, Malawi. Julie, who also lives on Vashon Island, is deeply involved with BridgesToDevelopment.org, which addresses the 21 neglected tropical diseases as nominated by the World Health Organization. She flew in to attend a WHO conference in Lilongwe, exp
April 11 2026 - Riding Through Malawi to Lilongwe Capital
Location: MalawiSummary:Today on April 11th, I left Liwonde and headed toward Lilongwe, the capital city of Malawi. Since I had stayed in town rather than at the Kutschaer place, it was easier to get going in the morning. Liwonde sits along the Shire River, and while there are hippos and crocodiles in the area, I couldn't see them from where I was staying. I did enjoy a lovely breakfast looking ou
April 10 2026 - Liwonde National Park Safari
Location: MalawiSummary:Today on April 10th, I headed to Liwonde National Park in Malawi after a great breakfast. My Garmin directed me to the south entrance, and I needed four-wheel drive to cross a river just before the park. The park entrance has two gates with electrified fencing and ground wires to keep animals from escaping. Entry cost about 65,000 Kwacha (under $40) for the car and myself,
April 9 2026 - Ekoa Stoves in Malawi
Location: MalawiSummary:Today I left Blantyre after sorting out my car information and headed toward Liwonde National Park, hoping to do a game drive the next day. The roads were decent with occasional potholes — just enough to keep you on your toes. Along the way, I had a wonderful surprise: I spotted the Ekoa stove facility, which originated from the Burn Design Lab and is primarily manufactured
April 8 2026 - Importing a Toyota Car to Malawi: Costs & Tips
Location: MalawiSummary:Today I set out in Blantyre, Malawi, to gather important information about my Toyota and what my options are for potentially selling or importing it. I started by visiting a Toyota dealer, where the receptionist quickly connected me with a knowledgeable technician. My first priority was determining the exact manufacturing year of my car, since US import regulations depend o
April 7 2026 - Exploring Blantyre Malawi
Location: MalawiSummary:Today I made my way to Blantyre, Malawi. I had changed my original plans to head north right away because I now have an engagement on Sunday the 12th to meet someone at the airport in Lilongwe, the capital. This gave me time to visit Blantyre and sort out a few things. The drive wasn't too long, which I appreciated because it meant I arrived in the early to mid-afternoon —
April 6 2026 - Driving to Malawi
Location: MalawiSummary:Today was an exciting and intense day as I drove from Tete, Mozambique, to cross into Malawi — hopefully my last country with the car. The road to the Zobue border, the N304, was a paved road that had never been maintained, making it full of terrible potholes. Honestly, a well-maintained sand road would have been better. Along the way, I picked up a lady with five little ki
April 5th 2026 - Road Trip to Tete on the Zambezi River
Location: MozambiqueSummary:Today on April 5th, I left Guru and headed for Tete, Mozambique — a fair distance to cover. While having a bite on the main street, I struck up a conversation with a container truck driver who was doing the Beira to Lilongwe route via Tete. He shared that he carries enough fuel for the return trip, using between 850 to 1,050 liters depending on whether he's hauling a lo
April 4 2026 - Driving Chimoyo to Guro Mozambique
Location: MozambiqueSummary:Today on April 4th, I explored Chimoyo, which turned out to be a pleasant town with a lovely square, vivacious paintings and murals, and an interesting market. After that, I set off toward Tete, but at nearly 400 kilometers away, it was too far for a single day's drive. Finding accommodation along the route proved challenging as nothing was showing up on my maps. The co
April 3 2026 - Mango Farms & Chimoio
Location: MozambiqueSummary:Today I had an early start, joining the scientists for a 7 o'clock breakfast near the hotel. Three of them went to the river to ask the police about doing volume tests, but after two hours they found out it wasn't permitted despite having other permits. They took it in stride and waited for their second vehicle to arrive. I decided to head out on my own toward a mango f
April 2 2026 - Save River Discovery
Location: MozambiqueSummary:Today, April 2nd, I decided not to stay another night at my accommodation and instead explored the town before heading out. I drove to the beach and witnessed something amazing — it was low tide and a long line of people were standing in the water, pulling in fishing nets that had been set out by boat. It was quite a sight. I also stumbled upon the Kilimanjaro Hotel and
April 1 2026 - Car Battery Troubles
Location: MozambiqueSummary:Today was April 1st, 2026, and I was trying to leave Tofu in Mozambique. When I tried to start my car around 10 o'clock, the battery was completely dead. I have three batteries in my vehicle, and one was new from the Netherlands, but a beeping sound I'd been hearing turned out to be a low battery indicator. Sasha helped by asking a neighbor who had a jump-start box, but
March 31 2026 - Tofo Mozambique: Whale Sharks, Cafés & New Friends
Location: MozambiqueSummary:Today was March 31st, and I had been hoping to take another whale shark boat trip so I could capture some photos from a different angle. Unfortunately, high tides influenced by the moon and incoming rain clouds meant the owners cancelled the trip. So that plan literally fell in the water. Instead, I ended up at the Brunching Whale, a little coffee place in Tofo, where I
March 30 2026 - Whale Shark Boat Trip in Mozambique
Location: MozambiqueSummary:On March 30th, I had quite the adventure in Mozambique! I signed up for a 2-hour boat trip to try to spot whale sharks — the biggest sharks in the world, with some spotted at 9 meters in this area. I'm not typically a fan of being on the water since I get seasick, but I figured I better seize the opportunity. Sasha and Chris joined as well, since Sasha does whale shark
March 29 2026 - Driving from Xai-Xai to Tofu Beach Mozambique
Location: MozambiqueSummary:On March 29th, a Sunday, I left Xai-Xai and made my way to Tofu in Mozambique. The journey turned out to be quite interesting. Along the way, I stopped at the Önnham River for a bite to eat, where I met a couple from Singapore who had bought a Land Cruiser in Germany, shipped it to Cape Town, and were now wandering through southern Africa without a fixed plan. It's alwa
March 28 2026 - Maputo to Xai-Xai: Coastal Mozambique Drive
Location: MozambiqueSummary:Today I left Maputo after spending a bit of time exploring the city. Following Rick's suggestion, I visited the Tunduru Gardens near Independence Place, which made for a nice walk. I was really impressed by the Maputo-Katembe Bridge connecting southern Mozambique to the capital, so I decided to drive across it. Catembe itself didn't have much going on — no improved road
March 27 2026 - Walking Maputo's Waterfront to Visit Friends
Location: EswatiniSummary: Today, Friday March 27th, I had an evening meeting planned with Rick, his wife Rachel, and daughter Claire. I first met Rick in Angola at the Flow Hotel — he works for the Canadian High Commission, which covers Angola and Eswatini from their base in Mozambique. Since I was only about 2 kilometers from their place, and Rick warned me that Friday afternoon traffic would be
March 26 2026 - Riding Through Eswatini to Maputo Mozambique
Location: Eswatini Summary: Today was March 26th, and I had about 300 kilometers ahead of me to reach Maputo in Mozambique. Knowing that border crossings take time, I opted for an early start and was grateful the restaurant accommodated me with an early breakfast, so I left close to 8 in the morning. I chose a longer route through a place called Piggs Peak because the name sounded intriguing and t
March 25 2026 - Exploring Eswatini: House on Fire & Lobamba
Location: Eswatini:Summary: Today, March 25th, I left the Waterside Lodge and headed into town for breakfast — sausage rolls, or saucijzenbroodjes as the Dutch call them. My first destination was the Mahamba border crossing, where I entered Eswatini from South Africa. The process was simple: just passport stamps for leaving South Africa and entering Eswatini. I learned that Eswatini has its own cu
March 24 2026 - Visiting Mkhondo Piet Retief Waterside Lodge
Location: LesothoSummary:On March 24th, I had a cloudy but pleasant driving day. My Garmin suggested a southern route with more freeways, which seemed fine given the overcast skies. My other navigation systems proposed northern routes, but neither had particularly interesting features, so I went south. The estimated travel time seemed high, but it actually took much less time than indicated — arou
March 23 2026 - Lesotho to South Africa: Border Crossing & Road Trip
Location: LesothoSummary:Today, March 23rd, I wrapped up my stay and headed for the border crossing from Lesotho into South Africa. Leaving Lesotho was easy, but entering South Africa again proved a bit tricky since my original entry was on an emergency passport, which confused the border officials. We got it all sorted out eventually. The first town I passed through was Fouiesberg — a small, quie
March 22 2026 - Driving Through Lesotho: The Kingdom in the Sky
Location: LesothoSummary:I woke up on March 22nd in a cold round brick hut with a grass roof in Lesotho. They had offered to light a fire the night before, but I declined since I was only up for about 15 minutes before bed. The place had a solar-powered ceiling light and a generator running from 6 to 10 in the evening — quite comfortable given the circumstances. The leader of the Dutch mission gro
March 21 2026 - Driving Sani Pass to Lesotho in a Land Cruiser
Location - South AfricaSummary:Today, March 21st, turned out to be one of the most special days of my journey. I've been making a point to keep my diesel tanks topped up — my Land Cruiser holds 180 liters across two tanks, and with concerns about diesel availability, I try to refuel about 60 liters after every day of significant driving. My first stop was in Heimveld at the Country Goat Cafe. The
March 20 2026 - Driving to Køgstad South Africa
Location: South AfricaSummary:Today is March 20th and I started the day at Elliot/Koa where I chatted with a group of 5 or 6 guys who had arrived in the dark with two four-wheel drives. They had been scaling mountain passes and having a blast. They were very interested in my car and amazed that I had driven it all the way from the Netherlands, which always feels great to share. My destination for
March 19 2026 - Riding Inland to Khowa South Africa
Location: South AfricaSummary:Today, March 19th, I left East London and headed inland rather than continuing along the coast. The reason for this change of plans was based on conversations I've had with locals about the dangers further down toward Durban, where travelers have been sidetracked off the road and robbed. Since that's already happened to me once, I decided to take a safer route and byp
March 18 2026 - Port Alfred to East London South Africa
Location: South AfricaSummary:Today on March 18th, I took one more stroll through Port Alfred before hitting the road. What a lovely town — great views, easy beach access, and I can totally see why the folks at the Panorama want to keep living there even after they stop running their bed and breakfast. From Port Alfred, I got back on Highway 72 and made my way to East London. The drive felt slow t
March 17 2026 - Car Service in South Africa
Location: South AfricaSummary:March 17th was a productive and eventful day. I started early, arriving at the car service place at quarter to 7. Adrian, one of the bosses, kindly gave me a ride into town where I could sit and have a coffee while they inspected the entire vehicle. By around 10:15, Adrian called to confirm everything checked out as expected — it was just a matter of changing filters
March 16 2026 - Jeffrey's Bay Adventures: Beach, Food & Friends
Location: South AfricaSummary:Today, March 16th, a Monday, I made my way to a car service place in Jeffrey's Bay. It turned out to be their second week of operation as a new franchise. The two guys who started the business were both there, and even though they had a full schedule for Monday, they were able to fit me in on Tuesday. They have a 62-point inspection system and would go over everything
March 15 2026 - Feet in the Indian Ocean: A Lazy Sunday in Jeffrey's Bay
Location: South AfricaSummary:Today was a Sunday in Jeffrey's Bay, and as is typical here, a lot of places were closed. I walked into town hoping to revisit the same restaurant I enjoyed the night before, but when I arrived I remembered it closes at 3 o'clock on Sundays. So I wandered through town looking for alternatives and ended up at an Indian restaurant. What made it fascinating was that it w
March 14 2026 - Exploring Jeffreys Bay & South Africa Coast
Location: South AfricaSummary:On March 14th, I started the morning reflecting on yesterday's 4x4 adventure on Bergplas Road. I met Paul and Tracy, a couple driving a Land Rover with a rooftop tent. They're avid campers from Port Elizabeth who own about 8 homes and plan to become full-time road campers within the next 2-3 years. It was a fun conversation about the nomadic lifestyle. I attempted to
March 13 2026 - Tsitsikamma National Park Road Trip Adventure
Location: South AfricaSummary:Today started with waking up at a peaceful campsite where I had slept in the car. It was a great spot with trees, hot water, and bathrooms — just no other campers around, which was perfectly fine by me. I got going around 8:30 and spent the next two to two and a half hours navigating a challenging 4WD route. I had to pay close attention to stay on the right path, and
March 12 2026 - South Africa Road Trip: Prince Albert to Oudshoorn
Location: South AfricaSummary:I started my day in Prince Albert with a delicious Eggs Benedict breakfast at a nearby hotel, where I met a delightful Dutch couple - Annemiek, who's been a KLM stewardess for 31 years, and her husband were on a multi-week South African adventure. The food here costs about two-thirds of what you'd pay in the US or Europe. I then took Highway 328 through Swartspass tow
March 11 2026 - Reliant Robin Africa Record
Location: South AfricaSummary:Today was an incredible day in Cape Town - I stayed an extra day specifically to meet Seth from Canada and Ollie from the UK, two amazing adventurers I first encountered in Ivory Coast. These guys have just completed an absolutely mind-blowing journey, driving a 2001-2002 Reliant Robin (a quirky 3-wheeled English car they named Sheila) all the way from England to Cape
March 10 2026 - Amazing Airbnb in South Africa
Location: South AfricaSummary:Today I had to leave the Hidden Gem as they were fully booked for the night, but I needed to stay in the area for tomorrow's activities on the 11th. I got lucky and found the Marigold Airbnb, a fantastic self-catering place for 1,100 rand - really reasonable for what they offer. It's an apartment behind a house where the owners Agata and Emmanuel live. The place is in
March 9 2026 - Cape of Good Hope Adventure: Hidden Gems & Local Culture
Location: South AfricaSummary:What an incredible day I had on March 9th! I started my morning with an inspiring conversation with an 80-year-old German couple who have visited southern Africa 18 times. The gentleman's words really stuck with me - he said at 80, he doesn't want to just sit around at home and shrivel away. He wants to keep traveling and exploring because it's working for him. That m
March 8 2026 - Cheetah Safari & Wine Tasting in Cape Town
Location: South AfricaSummary:March 8th was what I called 'Make It Count' day - the last day with my travel companions Ron and Chris before they departed. We started at Cheetah Outreach, a fantastic wildlife sanctuary where you can see hand-raised cheetahs and other animals up close. It's open daily and located at the Heartlands Pardonfly property. You can visit during regular hours or book specia
March 7 2026 - Road to Cape Town
Location: South AfricaSummary:What an incredible day on March 7th during my epic road trip from the Netherlands to South Africa! After a disappointing bed and breakfast experience with no actual breakfast, I discovered the amazing Diesel and Cram restaurant next to Karoo Moon Motel. This 12-year-old gem serves delicious breakfast in an atmosphere filled with antique signs and furniture - what a fi
March 6 2026 - Safari Camp to Barrydale
Location: South AfricaSummary:I started March 6th waking up at the safari camp where I enjoyed a delicious early breakfast while Ron and Chris went on the morning safari. After leaving the camp and spotting more antelope on our way out, we hit the road toward Barrydale. Our first stop was at an Ostrich Show Farm, which was absolutely fascinating. I learned that these farms need specific conditions
March 5 2026 - Safari Adventure in South Africa
Location: South AfricaSummary:What an incredible day I had in South Africa! I finally made it to that stunning white beach I'd been wanting to visit - it was absolutely beautiful with amazing beachfront spots perfect for relaxation. Then I embarked on a scenic route through Reindendal, traveling east then north on Highway 62. I discovered a gem at Hohe Kraal - the African Experience Bush Cafe and
March 4 2026 - Wilderness Canoeing & Waterfall Adventure
Location: South AfricaSummary:I spent an adventurous day canoeing in the wilderness with Chris and Ron through Eden Company. We opted for canoeing over other activities like cliff jumping. The sit-on-top canoes were different from my usual sea kayaks - no back support but comfortable enough for our 40-minute paddle to a waterfall destination. While the guys explored the waterfall and swimming area
March 3 2026 - Exploring Wilderness & Coastal Drives in South Africa
Location: South AfricaSummary:Today I embarked on a wonderful coastal journey through South Africa with my travel companions Ron and Chris. We initially headed to Hermanas hoping to see dolphins in the harbor, but unfortunately missed them. However, driving through these charming coastal towns with their tourist attractions and beautiful beaches was still incredibly rewarding. South Africa's diver
March 2 2026 - Table Mountain Cable Car Adventure
Location: South AfricaSummary:Today was absolutely incredible! March 2nd turned out to be the perfect day for visiting Table Mountain in Cape Town with Ron and Chris. Unfortunately, Gert-Jan was heading back to the Netherlands, so he missed out on this amazing experience. The weather was beautiful, which meant everyone else had the same idea - the crowds were massive! We had to park quite far from
March 1 2026 - Cape Town Adventure: Airport Pickups & Peninsula
Location: South AfricaSummary:What an incredible day to wrap up my two-week adventure through Namibia and South Africa! I started very early, picking up Ron and Chris from the Netherlands at 6:10 AM. Katja and I had to leave at 5:30 AM to make it to the airport on time. There was some disruption due to a fire in the arrival hall, which meant more walking than usual, but we managed just fine. After
February 28 2026 - Exploring Cape Towns Waterfront
Location: South AfricaSummary:Today was Gert-Jan's last full day with our travel group, so I wanted to make it memorable despite the low-hanging clouds obscuring Table Mountain. We started by relocating to a new accommodation just a block away from the beach - the previous place had been rented to someone else, but this worked out perfectly since the new house had an extra bed for the upcoming cha
February 27 2026 - First Time in Cape Town: Dutch Consulate & Table Mountain
Location: South AfricaSummary:I was thrilled to finally reach Cape Town for the first time on this Friday, February 27th. While Gert-Jan took a rest day, I ventured out alone, starting with breakfast at an Omul Bakery near Melkbos Strand that served traditional Dutch pastries. Before leaving, I met an enthusiastic group of Zimbabwean maintenance workers who were excited about my journey and even l
February 26 2026 - Journey to Cape Town: Dutch Passport & Overland
Location: South AfricaSummary:Today I made my way from Garies toward Cape Town, planning to visit the Dutch consulate tomorrow morning to apply for a new Dutch passport. The journey took me through beautiful South African countryside where I observed extensive grape vineyards covered with protective cloth to keep birds away - a reminder of South Africa's renowned wine industry. I visited Duncan, w
February 25 2026 - Border Crossing to South Africa Adventure
Location: South AfricaSummary:Today was our changeover day as Gertjan and I crossed the border into South Africa. We make a great team - I handle all the driving while he takes care of navigation and communication. The border crossing from Namibia went smoothly since we were the only ones there, giving everyone plenty of time to process us. I didn't need to use the Carnet de Passage since it cover
February 24 2026 - Journey to Aus & Grünau
Location: NamibiaSummary:Today I continued my journey through Namibia, adding details about our route to Aus. We passed by Duwissip Castle, an old structure maintained by a dedicated elderly couple in a very remote location. Before reaching the castle, we encountered a couple stuck in their older Nissan - the woman was driving and her husband, who couldn't walk or exit the car alone, was the passe
February 23, 2026 - Kolmanskop Diamond Mine & Lüderitz Day Trip
Location: NamibiaSummary:Today I took a fascinating day trip to Lüderitz from my base at the Bahnhof Hotel in Aus, Namibia. My first stop was Kolmanskop, an abandoned diamond mine about 10 kilometers before Lüderitz. This ghost town once housed around 300 people who worked the diamond mines, and now it's a tourist attraction. You have to pay to enter and it's mostly open in the mornings. Many of t
February 22, 2026 - Desert Journey to Aus, Namibia
Location: NamibiaSummary:Today I experienced another incredible day of my Namibian desert journey. Starting from Sesriem at the Quiver Desert Lodge, I had to share what I missed from two days ago - our stop at Solitaire, a tiny desert outpost famous for its apple pie. Getting there meant driving through nothing but desert and corrugated roads, where we even spotted Dan, a fellow traveler strugglin
February 20 2026 - Swakopmund to Sesriem
Location: NamibiaSummary:Today, February 20th, I'm continuing my journey through Namibia's stunning desert landscape. I wanted to mention a fascinating museum in Swakopmund that I visited a couple days ago - it showcased the incredible mineral wealth found throughout Namibia's vast desert regions, including uranium and other metals, particularly in the north. The past few nights, Gert-Jan and I en
February 19 2026 - Walvis Bay Adventure: Flamingos, Salt & Coast
Location: NamibiaSummary: On February 19th, I left Swakopmund for a day trip to Walvis Bay with Gert-Jan. Having been there before, I knew where to go, which was helpful since everything was new for my companion. In Walvis Bay, we saw ships and offshore drilling operations, then visited the salt collection area where we spotted flamingos - not many, but enough to take photos of these impressive bi
February 18 2026 - Swakopmund Adventures in Namibia
Location: NamibiaSummary:Today I made my way to Swakopmund in Namibia. Along the journey, I attempted to visit a desalination plant but was turned away due to ongoing instrumentation work and calibration. They mentioned offering monthly tours for water users and stakeholders, with the next one scheduled for March, but I won't be staying that long. I also stopped at a shipwreck and visited a campin
