no worries, sounds a great adventure.

it was for business but there was a few jollies included as you do.

its been a few years since i've been to africa but if things are similar then i'd heed foreign office advice prior to departure.

in burundi we had to visit a site up the mountain and lost the track of time and headed back late and got into a right old s**tstorm after dark, so my advice is, do not travel at night as bandits set up as official check-points and you don't want to be in that place you really don't. give yourself time to negotiate any f**k-ups along the way as these are common with breakdowns etc but avoid travel at night. In fact, don't go "up-country".

you will often see a big uprooted plant in the middle of the road which is a common sign that there's a breakdown ahead (the african warning triangle).

often bandits will block roads with three or four freshly cut logs, if you encounter these bump over them and barrel on by as that's also a s**tstorm in waiting. stick to main routes and avoid public transport, if in a vehicle keep the doors locked. let people know where you are going and key in some emergency contact numbers into your phone in case things go tits up.

You'll see loads af shacks by the road selling diesel in glass jars that's dyed pink. The UN dyed all their diesel pink to catch locals who had nicked it from their bases. the locals then dyed their own s**tty diesel pink so people thought they were getting good quality fuel hence the glass jars.

I'd advise against winging it, you need to do your research it's a dangerous old place to be honest with you best advice is to go with a guide or fixer. Fascinating country but proceed with caution.

Posted By: Tombs, May 30, 20:21:25