South Africa / Zimbabwe 2001
My first 'Solar Eclipse' trip
The journey consisted of:
1) 7 days travelling from Cape Town, South Africa, along the 'Garden Route' ending up at Port Elizabeth
2) 7 days travelling from Victoria falls, in Zimbabwe, to the Eclipse observation site, near Rushinga - close to the border with Zambia, and then onto the finish of the tour in the capital of Zimbabwe, Harare.
Due to the poor weather for the 2000 Solar Eclipse in the UK/Europe this tour comprised of a total of 35 people on the South African leg, who were joined by more than four hundred , on entry to Zimbabwe.
In South Africa, we ventured along the Garden Route [Link] taking in a number of very scenic places.
One of the nicest was 'George', near Cape Point, almost midway between Cape Town and Port Elizabeth. We ventured out one evening into the nearby 'hills' and were treated to a superb view of the Southern Night Sky, including the Magellanic Clouds..
Following a flight from Port Elizabeth to Victoria Falls, we had a short stay in the Kingdom Hotel at the 'Falls', then a long drive to see the Eclipse, at Rushinga, and finally travelled onto Harare for the journey home.
Full marks to the staff of Explorers Toures who organised the trip, especially into Zimbabwe.
The journey consisted of:
1) 7 days travelling from Cape Town, South Africa, along the 'Garden Route' ending up at Port Elizabeth
2) 7 days travelling from Victoria falls, in Zimbabwe, to the Eclipse observation site, near Rushinga - close to the border with Zambia, and then onto the finish of the tour in the capital of Zimbabwe, Harare.
Due to the poor weather for the 2000 Solar Eclipse in the UK/Europe this tour comprised of a total of 35 people on the South African leg, who were joined by more than four hundred , on entry to Zimbabwe.
In South Africa, we ventured along the Garden Route [Link] taking in a number of very scenic places.
One of the nicest was 'George', near Cape Point, almost midway between Cape Town and Port Elizabeth. We ventured out one evening into the nearby 'hills' and were treated to a superb view of the Southern Night Sky, including the Magellanic Clouds..
Following a flight from Port Elizabeth to Victoria Falls, we had a short stay in the Kingdom Hotel at the 'Falls', then a long drive to see the Eclipse, at Rushinga, and finally travelled onto Harare for the journey home.
Full marks to the staff of Explorers Toures who organised the trip, especially into Zimbabwe.
Me viewing the eclipse in progress - camera covered up awaiting totality!
Wide-angle view of the eclipse - taken with an automatic camera.Using print film which was then scanned
View of the Eclipse observation site.
Just outside the village of Rushinga
Just outside the village of Rushinga
Three views of Victoria Falls
The Kingdom Hotel, Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
The Eclipse observation site, near the Rushinga River.
For the eclipse day [21st June 2001] we were based near the School in Rushinga.
We took along some pens, pencils and other drawing materials for the school as 'payment' for us using thie land as a base for the day.
It was a hot day! - and we had taken along a 'picnic' to keep us going.
There were about 400 people at this location [10 bus loads] and it was quite a challenge for Explorer's to arrange for the buses to be available.
Because of the problems with arranging fuel and transport in Zimbabwe, the buses had to drive from the South African border, to collect us from Harare and then drive the 200+ kilometers to Rushinga and then back to Harare all in one day
For the eclipse day [21st June 2001] we were based near the School in Rushinga.
We took along some pens, pencils and other drawing materials for the school as 'payment' for us using thie land as a base for the day.
It was a hot day! - and we had taken along a 'picnic' to keep us going.
There were about 400 people at this location [10 bus loads] and it was quite a challenge for Explorer's to arrange for the buses to be available.
Because of the problems with arranging fuel and transport in Zimbabwe, the buses had to drive from the South African border, to collect us from Harare and then drive the 200+ kilometers to Rushinga and then back to Harare all in one day