BEST OF BOTH WORLDS IN MOZAMBIQUE

Iʼd been in Mozambique 10 minutes and already had my mojo back. All it took was a passport stamp and the promise of something new. As I drove deeper into our Portuguese-infused neighbour, I could feel months of Lockdown funk unfurling behind me, cobwebs in the wind, as if hooked on the Komatipoort Border Post. I was in a Britz Land Cruiser on my way to do something Iʼd never done before – 4×4ing – in a place Iʼd never been, Maputo Special Reserve (MSR).

I was reminded how movement sparks joy. Being back on the road was like unlocking a room within myself, helping me to rediscover one of lifeʼs great delights: untethered exploring. With Paul Simon taking me to Graceland on the radio, I glided past Maputo, over the Catembe Bridge, and soared into MSR an hour later.

I was on an introductory tour of the reserveʼs new campsites, alongside specialist tour guides, Mozambican journalists and Peace Parks staff. We were due to explore parts of the reserve that had just been opened to the public and visit the refurbished campsites. Niel Crafford was the campsite architect and