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FROM DIGGING FOR WATER TO SNAKE DODGING AND RUGBY ON THE RIVER BANK – IT ALL HAPPENED!

Tuck into this great report by Wilf Evans, one of a group of young explorers including Will Jones, Caspar Raworth, Max Meyrick, Jack Burnand, Rafa Teniente, and Jack Cleverly, who have so far raised over £5,000 for Zambezi Elephant Fund – they walked the Charara/Makuti/Nyakasanga sections of the ZEF Trans-Zambezi Walk for Wild Expedition... 
Day One: We kicked off not far from Kariba, in the Charara riverbed. Task one – find water, a vital commodity, so why not use a fresh elephant well, 4ft below the sandy surface! After a cold night we set off into an exciting morning, following elephant and huge buffalo herds, as well as finding Snouted and Mozambique Spitting Cobras!
We saw evidence of other activity too – wild dog tracks and a female leopard and cub, as well as poaching signs, too. The morning got hot quickly and was especially tough, walking with 20kg on our backs. Eventually we made it to our destination for the night, enjoying Tristan’s rice and tuna!
WHY WE DID THE WALK!
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Day 2 was the hardest – over 20kms, mostly uphill, but it really showed us the wild side of Charara Safari Area – not a huge amount of game but incredible scenery. Lunch was at a natural spring – and we tucked into a tin of pilchards under a beautiful Natal Mahogany. Camp was slightly further on with 360 deg views of untouched wilderness, herds of sable and buffalo below, and male lions roaring.

Day 3, we got a short lift towards Mongwe and the Zambezi River, then about 5km on foot, following fresh lion tracks, arriving to a rewarding view of the Zambezi River. That evening we played touch rugby on the sandy water's edge as the sun set and then prepared Caspar’s ‘specialty’, baked beans macaroni! 
Day 4 was exciting. We had heard a leopard calling through the night and tracks were all around camp. Scanning the thick bush for a glimpse of the elusive cat, Richard, Jack and then Will nearly stepped on a Puff Adder, missing it by only inches! Fortunately, we were all safe and watched the venomous snake up close, cautiously! We arrived at our next stop by noon and set up camp beside the river, then a full sweep of the area before returning for canned meat “spag bol”.

Day 5, having heard lions calling all through the night, we set off in pursuit of their fresh tracks! The lions, however, couldn’t be located and we left the vast Mopane woodland for the famous Albidas – Mana Pools must be close. We set up camp on the Nyakasanga River mouth, a prime spot for watching wildlife drinking as well as a brilliant view of the Zambian Escarpment. This was the perfect opportunity to have a wash in the river, checking that the coast was clear! That evening we strolled down the riverbed, seeing elephant breeding herds in luscious riverine scenery. Later, we played cards, whilst hyena crept up close and elephants came down to drink. The night was noisy, with lions calling, hippos grazing and elephant drinking. 
The next morning we set off to arrive at Ruckomechi Camp early for a well earned hot breakfast. The walk in was beautiful and open, crossing the river in our bare feet to arrive safely and hand over the baton. Our huge achievement was celebrated with afternoon beers and quiet reflection.

What a unique, enjoyable trip, unlike anything we had ever embarked on before!
Thank you, Wilf and team for taking part in ZEF's Trans-Zambezi Walk for Wild Expedition. 

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The Zambezi Elephant Fund (ZEF) supports the active protection of elephants in the Zambezi Valley, Zimbabwe through anti-poaching initiatives and development and placement of systems that ensure the long-term safety of these incredible animals and the security and growth of other wildlife in the area, together with the growth of local communities, protection of the environment and the improvement and sustainability of these efforts.
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