From Etosha to Livingstone: An Unexpected Journey
After soaking in the breathtaking landscapes of Etosha, my plan was to continue northeast along the Caprivi Strip towards Victoria Falls. For map enthusiasts like me, the Caprivi Strip is a fascinating geographical feature-a narrow strip of land in Namibia bordered by Botswana to the south, Angola and Zambia to the north, and coming tantalisingly close to Zimbabwe. In theory, it’s a geeky hotspot, but in reality, it’s less remarkable.
My adventure began in Rundu, where I secured local transport and spent the night. With a renewed sense of freedom, I was eager to make headway towards the border crossing at Katima Mulilo and ultimately reach Livingstone before nightfall. Given my recent success with hitchhiking, I felt confident enough to take a chance.
A Risky Gamble
I quickly secured a ride with a friendly driver heading in the right direction. I chipped in for fuel, and we set off on the 500-kilometer journey to the border. Despite our best efforts, the trip took longer than anticipated. By the time we arrived at the border, it was around 5:45 PM. Faced with a tough decision-either spend another night in Namibia or risk crossing into Zambia and catching the 6 PM bus to Livingstone-I decided to gamble on crossing the border.
Bureaucratic Hiccups
Unfortunately, my gamble didn’t pay off. Bureaucratic delays meant that by the time my passport was processed, I had missed the bus. Stranded on the Zambian side of the border, with nightfall approaching, I found myself in a predicament. The town had no hotels, and the border’s closure meant that all transport options had dried up. I asked a local for advice, who suggested taking a taxi to the next town to find accommodation. However, my luck took another turn for the worse when my ATM card refused to work, and my credit card was useless as well. I was out of options and cash, feeling truly stranded.
As darkness descended, I sat by the roadside, contemplating my situation. Just as despair began to set in, a man I had spoken to earlier reappeared. He pointed to a Hilux truck and said, “Must be your lucky day.” The truck’s driver was headed to Livingstone, and I might just get a lift. The driver turned out to be a Zambian diplomat based in London, collecting his car from the port before heading back to Zambia and then flying home. I explained my predicament-no cash, but I could transfer funds once I had signal. Amused by my story, he told me to hop in and that their no charge.
The drive was the slowest and bumpiest 200 kilometers I’ve ever experienced. Exhausted, I fell asleep multiple times, each time apologising as I woke. Eventually, we arrived in Livingstone late at night. Using the driver’s phone, I managed to book a hostel, which was waiting for my arrival.
Reflecting on the Journey
Despite the challenges, this unexpected detour was a reminder of the unpredictability of travel and the kindness of strangers. Sometimes, the most memorable adventures come from the unforeseen obstacles and the people who help you along the way.
