We eventually arrived in Mpulungu on the southern shore of Lake Tanganyika. The overnight bus  trip from Lusaka to Kasana is worse than any overnight flight between Europe and South Africa (economy class). After a coffee and collecting the kayak from storage, we eventually got it on a bakkie and with the help of a few beer cases, to more or less level it over the canopy, we got going to Mpulungu. Tomorrow we will be distributing a few mosquito nets at a clinic before setting sail for Tanzania. (or is it start rowing?).  The plan is to do about 30 km. It will take us just across the Tanzanian border. 

We are off on our very exciting expedition.

We left Johannesburg last night and arrived fairly late in Lusaka, Zambia, where we spent the night with an aquaintance. This afternoon we got on to a bus to Kasanga about 600 km away where we hope to arrive early Monday morning. This is where we collect our kayak which arrived there about two weeks ago. Then it will be the final leg to Mpulungu, onother 200 km away where we hope to start paddling at this southern end of Lake Tanganyika on Tuesday morning, the 22nd of July. We hope to paddle about 30 km for the day to cross the Tanzanian border.



 

We cannot believe that its only one week to go before we leave!  One year's preparation and planning is finally getting to is end.  At the moment we are very excited, but also bit nervous.  There is still a fair amount of things to finalise.  Next week this time we will be in Lusaka already, from where we will be taking a bus to the Lake's southern point over a 800km journey.  If all goes to plan, we will start kayaking on Monday 21 June.  So please hold thumb that we do not have any unexpected delays!