Congo
Day 164 15/06
Bush Camp, Nr Some small village
14 773 miles
What a day!! The 4 km to the border took 1.5 hrs. It was very steep and the road had been washed away in some places so we were filling in gullies and walking most of the way first. Somebody had told us that at the top we would have to take a left to immigration and a right to get to Luozi - so we took a left and found the immigration man walking along the road to meet us - word spreads fast! He took us to the immigration post which was a thatched lean-to but then decided it would be better to go to his house. So we drove through the village to his house and all sat down in his yard. Most of the village turned out to see what was happening and we even got to meet the chief. All our details were meticulously noted down and we were informed that we were the first tourists to cross this border post - we were definitely the first names in his book. We were then told to report to immigration at LUozi where we'd get our stamps and sent on our way.
Finding our way through the myriad of villages and tracks on to a semblance of a recognisable road was challenging to say the least. The GPS kept us heading in the right direction through all the twists and turn and helped us sift through good and bad local information. The 'bon route' we were promised never materialized though and it was very slow going negotiating the wash- aways on all the steep hills - and there were lots of them.
Due to the mountainoue terrain there weren't many places to bush camp so when we finally found a quarry on the side of the road we decided to stop even though we would be visible. It turns out we were right next to a village and we were the entertainment for the night. The group watching us grew and grew until nightfall but needless to say they were all back again at first light. There were a lot of kids late for school that morning but I'm sure the tale they had to tell would get them out of trouble.
Day 167 18/06
Mission, Matadi
15 085 miles
We're here at last and finally got those blasted Angolan visas (only 5 day transit). What a journey it's been. We got to Luozi and had to track down the immigration man as it was a Saturday and the office was closed. He also tried to charge us an extra fee for his pocket but we refused so he gave up and just stamped our passports and let us go. From Luozi we had to catch a ferry across the Congo River (2.8 km wide) which turned out to be 3 tinn boats tied together with planks of wood. We saw a huge truck being brought over though so we went for it. The Landrover and Land Cruiser just fitted on to the deck and off we went for the 20 min crossing.
The road was much better on this side of the river and when we eventually hit the main Kinshasa-Matadi road it was very good tarmac. At last we can be on our way south again - we'll leave for Angola tomorrow.