Blogs we like

If this posting was really about what was hot, then I’d be writing about the three of us, sat in the middle of Zambia, in our pants, sweating a lot. But no one wants that. No, in this instance what I mean by ‘hot’, is useful. And by ‘useful’, I mean things that have benefitted our journey thus far. I’m sure any seasoned Africa traveller – if there is such a thing – will snort derisively at me stating the obvious, but I’d certainly like to have known some of the below before setting off on my jaunt, so I’m assuming similarly clueless Africa virgins would as well.

Mastercard vs Visa
Mastercard loses. And quite convincingly at that. While we didn’t have any problems in Namibia or South Africa, it was very difficult to find an ATM that accepted Mastercard in either Botswana, Zambia or Malawi (anyone with a Maestro can forget it). This wasn’t good news since we’ve been pooling our kitty on a Caxton Cash Card (basically a debit card you can order online, which doesn’t charge for withdrawals made abroad), which is embossed with the Mastercard logo. While the Caxton card is a good way to keep track of expenditure on a trip, it’s rather irksome that the card is advertised as the card you can use anywhere in the world. It isn’t. If it wasn’t for my HSBC Plus Visa Debit (which doesn’t charge for overseas withdrawals), we could well be suffering the same fate as a number of travellers we’ve met who were strapped for cash since they can’t use their Mastercard/Maestro.

Coast to Coast
A quirky little publication that’s available for free in countless hostels and campsites. Coast to Coast (www.coastingafrica.com) covers well-trodden routes in Namibia, South Africa, Botswana, Zambia and Malawi, and generally boasts more up to date and accurate information than the Lonely Planet with regards to accommodation. Closely affiliated with the Baz Bus, the hostels and campsites it lists tend to be frequented by a younger crowd (long-haired gap year types and us – wild-eyed and looking to feature).

Travel Africa
Another publication that has more or less thwarted my pretentions of original travel writing is British-based magazine Travel Africa (www.travelafricamag.com), which covers everything you could possibly write about travelling the continent. More fool me. Subscribe to Travel Africa six months before visiting the continent and you’re laughing.


Cape to Cairo
Mike Copeland has basically spent his time growing an impressive beard, wearing khaki and razzing around Africa in a big 4x4 – the recipe for a good guidebook (or blog), methinks. Copeland maps out routes, distances, advises on what essential kit to take with you, where to avoid, and lots of other useful tidbits that I’m too lazy to list – probably because he stole my book idea before I even thought of it.

Tracks4Africa
As previously mentioned, I didn’t have a great deal to do before joining Giles and Davy in Africa, though one of my tasks was procuring Tracks4Africa software for Giles’ shiny Garmin GPS device. Needless to say, I failed. However, while I was in Livingstone, fate played me a favourable hand and I chanced upon a copy (I won’t get into too much detail lest I receive a strongly worded letter from the Tracks4Africa boffins). Though we’ve yet to use this piece of kit, it essentially allows us to view the routes taken by other overlanders, the places they’ve stayed and points of interest. What’s more, we can add our own routes, as well as highlight hostels and suchlike – if we can figure out how to use it. Watch this space.