HEART OF DARKNESS . . .
You don’t see any for ages - then two come along together
That’s what you may think if you live in Southern Africa. The next TWO total eclipses follow a similar path across the continent mid afternoon on 21st June 2001 and early morning on 4th December 2002.
The path of totality for the fist crosses Angola, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Madagascar. (see graphic below) The second crosses Angola, Namibia, Zambia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, South Africa and Mozambique.
If there was ever a time to plan an expedition to Africa then now has to be it. Even if you cannot get your stuff together in time for next June then you get another shot 18 months later, how’s that for convenience.
The best vantage points are always in the centre of the path of totality – even 99% total is not good enough. You should be high up and placed where chances of cloud cover or rain should be minimal. The 2001 eclipse will last for FOUR minutes in Angola decreasing to just over two in Madagascar. The 2002 eclipse is the other way around with the longest totality in Mozambique.
Other Considerations
Angola is certainly not the safest place on earth (see our Risk Guide) so you would do well to sacrifice a few seconds of the eclipse and settle for Zambia. Alternatively if suitably equipped with a reliable 4x4 you could join the select few that will venture along the path of the Zambezi River. Poor road quality and general inaccessability will limit the influx of ‘away-day’ tourists and you should be rewarded with a superb trip with the eclipse thrown in for good measure.
If you don’t fancy the idea of straying too far from civilisation then the Zambian city of Lusaka is the largest urban area to lie within the path, with plenty of accommodation available. Or you could venture into the Kafue National Park, the Lower Zambezi National Park or the remote town of Zambezi on the Angolan border.
In Zimbabwe, again you should be looking anywhere along the Zambezi for the best viewing places. Notable places are the Chirundu falls and Mana Pools National Park. Mount Darwin in Zambia has already been ear-marked by tour operators as the best place to go for a day-trip from Harare, the capital.
From Harare you can follow the road to Tete in Mozambique. A good alternative in Mozambique would be the port town of Quelimane, linked only to the rest of the country by a truly abismal road.
Whichever way you look at it a 4x4 is the only real choice, even if you only venture out into the bush for the day of the eclipse.
IF YOU MISS THAT ONE . . .
With an extra 18 months to prepare for this one there are no excuses to miss it. As it happens early in the morning, day-trips are somewhat restricted. Also, probably due to the fact that it’s so far in the future, few plans have been made by tour operators yet.
As we said earlier, the longest totality is in the east, so South Africa and Mozambique are the best options. South Africa has a good selection of resort towns and more urban areas and probably has better international flight connections too.
Kruger National Park and the coast town of Xai-Xai are noteworthy selections and are used to catering to tourists. Book NOW these will fill up fast! In Zimbabwe you need to stay in the south and probably the Matobo National Park is your best option being just a days drive from Bulawayo.
Botswana has two good vantage points; being the small town of Nata or the Chobe National Park close to the Namibian Border. Other Namibian areas are a little suspect security wise. Regular unfriendly encounters with Angolan rebels could pose a risk to any European travellers.
Wherever you go – and a total eclipse has no respect for international borders – you should plan well ahead. The larger towns such as Harare and Johannesburg will offer you a good choice of accommodation and everyday luxuries, but for a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience you should pack everything into the back of your 4x4 and head into the bush. There are many national parks to choose from if you don’t want to go totally ‘native’.
| Further Reading:
BOOKS:
Africa & Madagascar Total Eclipse 2001 & 2002
Published by Bradt Publications
(due out October 2000)
Lonely Planet & Rough Guides to Angola, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique & Madagascar |
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Web Links:
FOLEY (Africa) Ltd
Hire purpose built expedition Land-Rovers (as seen on BBC’s Vets in the Wild)
Rainbow Tours
Running Eclipse Tours
Sunvil Discovery
Specialist Eclipse followers
Tanda Tula Africa
Escorted London-Cape Town Safari to include the Eclipse
Yomp Africa
Personalised Zimbabean Tours |
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