Good day fellow hunters,

Here is an update on the Borderline expedition. I will try not to beat around the bush too much, as I’ll be doing enough of that in a literal sense pretty soon.

First of all, the departure date has been delayed again. But it is all good – positive delay. As it stands – any date between May 15th and June 1st. Delay at this stage is frustrating but I just have to keep reminding myself to keep things in perspective. What’s a couple of weeks now when it has essentially been put off for a decade? This walk has one hell of a story behind it already, before the first step is taken. You see, the walk itself is actually the final chapter of a much longer and more complex journey beginning at a place called Devuli Ranch in a country then known as Rhodesia, in the 1970s sometime….If you get my drift. I can’t imagine the extent of the story once the last step has been taken, and I just hope that I am able to effectively tell it.

The really good news is that I now have a committed and capable team backing me. As mentioned in the last thread and actually as a result of that thread, I found a great sponsor for the expedition – the African Expedition magazine. Thanks Saeed for creating AR, and thanks to all the rest of you for stirring up interest in the expedition. AfricanX is a relatively new magazine and it is a class act: well presented with informative and interesting articles and stunning pictures. Diverse subject matter as well – although it is essentially a hunting magazine, they also run other outdoor adventure articles. Take a look at their site. http://www.africanxmag.com/ In the current issue there are articles on hunting, rifle-stocks, long distance shooting, underwater photography….The articles are articulate and each subject is covered by an experienced professional in that particular field. Regular contributors include some well known and respected hunting/gun/outdoor writers. AfricanX is a bi-monthly and it is a revolutionary publication, in that one can subscribe and read each issue online. An electronic subscription is very affordable at $15 for two years. Physical copies can also be ordered, of course.
Anyway, AfricanX approached me about the Borderline expedition and I am now contracted to them for the duration of the walk, and hopefully beyond. Anyone who is interested in the expedition can follow our progress in this magazine. An introductory article will be in the May issue. They will also be running other stories of mine – Jimmy the rhino, hunting tales etc. I can’t tell you what a relief it is to finally hook up with a publication like this. They are most supportive of my endeavors, the editors are top-notch (they polish, not carve), and amazingly they pay their writers!
In conjunction with AfricanX, I shall soon be reprinting my book ‘The Shangaan Song’. This will be its third printing and is the new improved international version, the first two being the old unimproved Zimbabwean versions. It is fantastic what the editors of AfricanX are doing with my humble book, insofar as design/layout and marketing strategy is concerned. In truth, there has never been any kind of strategy involving anything to do with my writing career until now. Previously, I was the writer, photographer, editor, layout artist, publisher, printer, marketer…Needless to say it hasn’t all been plain sailing. Right now I am most satisfied with the fact that I am simply the writer and photographer.

Another major development is that now I am not walking alone – I have a companion for the duration, Jephita Tumwi. Jephita approached me out of the blue a couple weeks ago, said he had heard about the walk and volunteered to accompany me. I know him well and didn’t hesitate to accept the offer – he knows his way about the woods and is a pleasant fellow. He will be useful as well as good company. I have often thought of companionship, but it is my belief that for something like this, a guy should volunteer. He should want to do it, not be expected to. Although I will obviously be paying Jephita, I don’t want him to consider it a job. I never wanted to ask someone to do this, and I haven’t.

As mentioned in the previous thread, the Borderline expedition is not simply about going on a hike and writing a book or two, there is a lot more to it. The walk’s primary objective is to promote Hunters for Zimbabwe, an organization committed to raising awareness and support for the plight of Zimbabwean rural communities and wildlife. It is the opinion of HFZ that neither rural communities nor wildlife areas can progress without the support of one another, and that a radically different approach to the existing confrontational one is required. Initially, the emphasis will be on communal land bordering the Save Conservancy. HFZ intends implementing a ‘hearts and minds’ program in this area which will be focused on restoration and education. The plan is to get the communities on sides, insofar as hunting and conservation are concerned, and at the same time assist in the reconstruction of those communities. This is not a new idea, but HFZ has a unique approach which I’m confident will yield positive results. More about all that in time to come.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for the support and advice I’ve received. On the advice of Cam Greig, I have opted to go with hammocks instead of a tent. Bryan Martin also had invaluable knowledge to impart. Thanks to you guys for putting me on to them. Special thanks to Dr Tim Burkhart, John and Jack Hunt and surestrike for your contributions, your help is much appreciated gentlemen.

We will be off to Harare this coming week where we will be meeting with Parks and others, and getting together all we need. From there we will make our way to the starting point, Victoria Falls. I will keep you posted. Once the walk has started, you can follow our progress through African Expedition, Google Earth and on the Borderline website, which is in the process of being put together. If anyone has any questions/advice etc, I will be available for the next two to three weeks.

Best regards to you all,
David

That has to be one of the most awesome adventures Ive heard of.. What I would give to do something like that.. Nothing but clear skies and the best of luck to you, Dave!!

David,

Congratulations on finding such a sponsor. I'm glad to hear the good news about this adventure.

I am really looking forward to vistiting you guys for a period towards late August or early September. Busy getting seriously walking-fit, as I would not like to slow you guys down. Will soon start doing backback walking to get used to that too!

Given the new starrting date, do you have any idea whereabouts you will be then?

In good hunting.

Andrew McLaren

David,

I just subscribed to AfricanX so that I can show support now, and follow your adventure as it unfolds.
While I absolutely love Scottyboy's tagline,on this trip I live vicariously through you.
Dave

Thanks again for the interest and support guys. Everything is falling into place very nicely and I must say I am super excited.

Andrew, August/September remains the Limpopo Valley/south-east lowveld. Let's say we meet at Beitbridge? On September 1st? I will call you leading up to our arrival in Beitbridge, and we'll undoubtedly take a few days off when we get there, so it will work out fine. I look forward to meeting you.

Cheers, Dave

Best of luck to you David
you will be in our thoughts and prayers
Matt

Good luck Dave and be safe!

David,

I certainly look forward to your reports in the African Expedition Magazine! It seems a quite reasonable subscription and the e-version will cut out much of that nasty waiting for the snail mail to get here to the USA!

I'm ordering new copies of "Shangaan Song" as well, I think that will be my Chistmas shopping for my brothers and son! [As if they are not tired of my incessant "Africa" chatter!]. I truely enjoyed reading it myself! It brought back much of the experience of hunting those lands!

Let us know when the Borderline web site is up and running! Following you on the internet is, probably, as close as I can get! [Though maybe if I know where you are at some point I can yell at you through the fence from the RSA side!]

Good Walking!

Les Howell

I've been reading about it elsewhere as well, and it sounds very exciting. Please post on your experience as and when you can. Our prayers and best wishes are with you.

This sounds like a great adventure!