Bridging The Continents

Andre van der Most
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  • Documentary

Bridging the Continents follows the inspiring journey of André van der Most as he drives a Toyota Land Cruiser from Holland to Uganda along the rugged west coast of Africa. More than just an overland adventure, this podcast shines a light on the people and organizations making a difference across the continent. Through stories from the road—navigating borders, crossing deserts, and connecting with communities—André shares both the challenges and triumphs of his expedition. Along the way, he highlights local nonprofits that are working tirelessly to empower communities, preserve cultures, and create lasting impact. Whether you’re passionate about travel, cultural exchange, or grassroots change, Bridging the Continents offers an unfiltered look at what it means to journey with purpose.

  1. 1 day ago

    April 14 2026 - Road Trip to Mzuzu Malawi

    Location: Malawi Summary: Today, April 14th, I headed north in Malawi to explore more of the country before I need to leave. Julie is occupied with her conference and interviews, so I set off on my own. My first destination was Mzuzu, about 350 kilometers away. The road was mostly in good condition, though large stretches are still under construction — meaning I often drove on temporary roads and had to navigate bypasses where bridges are being built. Despite some soft spots, I never needed four-wheel drive. Coming from the flat Netherlands, I was struck by the dramatic mountain formations along the route. There aren't many towns on that stretch, but I managed to grab a quick snack along the way. Once in Mzuzu, I found a place called Chaya Yay accommodation, which offers self-contained units where you can cook your own meals — convenient since they don't have a restaurant. The access road to the accommodation was extremely challenging for about a kilometer, though my car handled it fine. Smaller cars struggle but still manage somehow. The place had Wi-Fi, which I rely on, and I chose the self-serve option so I didn't need to go out for dinner. Instead, I used my emergency food packages that I brought from the Netherlands and Norway. All in all, it was a successful day, though 350 kilometers at variable speeds really does take the entire day. More adventures ahead!

    April 14 2026 - Road Trip to Mzuzu Malawi

  2. 1 day ago

    April 13 2026 - Interviewing WHO Tropical Disease Experts

    Location: Malawi Summary: Today, April 13th, a Monday, I took it easy for most of the day before heading to the conference center. My goal was to interview Dr. Seke Kayuni along with Julie Jacobson from Britain, who works with BridgesToDevelopment.org, about WHO's designated 21 neglected tropical diseases. Getting there was easy since it's not far from where I'm staying. Even though the conference ran an hour longer that day, we had communicated about the timing. We ended up being a group of three for the interview, as Stella Kepa from Kenya, who has known Julie for a long time, joined us. We found a relatively quiet spot in the conference hall to sit down and conduct the interview. I was able to record the interview from two angles using both my iPhone and my pro camera, so hopefully the footage will turn out well, though it will take some time to process. It was very nice meeting both Dr. Seke and Julie — both are very active in their respective fields. After the interview, everyone had things to attend to. Dr. Seke lives in the Longwe area so he headed home. Julie has a big task ahead of her — she wants to interview as many people as possible during the conference, and with only a few days to do it (the whole conference is 4 days and day 1 was already over), she needed to get moving. I grabbed a bite to eat at the Kitini Hub restaurant across the street from the hotel. It was a nice place, though not many people were there — understandable for a Monday night; I was surprised they were even open. I also treated myself to a cappuccino there. I enjoy having a cappuccino or espresso before going to sleep, which may not work for most people, but it works for me. All in all, it was a splendid day in a beautiful environment. I tried not to get back to the hotel too late since driving in the dark is always a bit of a challenge and more dangerous. Thank you for coming along — see you tomorrow!

    April 13 2026 - Interviewing WHO Tropical Disease Experts

  3. 1 day ago

    April 12 2026 - Picking Up Julie at Lilongwe Airport Malawi

    Location: Malawi Summary: Today, April 12th, 2026, was a very special day. I picked up Julie Jacobson at the Kamuzu International Airport in Lilongwe, Malawi. Julie, who also lives on Vashon Island, is deeply involved with BridgesToDevelopment.org, which addresses the 21 neglected tropical diseases as nominated by the World Health Organization. She flew in to attend a WHO conference in Lilongwe, expected to draw around 200 people from all over the world. I left my lodge, the New Area 3 Lodge, and made my way toward the airport. On the way, I stopped at the Food Lovers Market, a supermarket chain found across several southern African countries. I had coffee and chatted with the staff, who even asked about the car I've been driving and what I might be asking for it—something I'm still figuring out. The road to the airport had its share of potholes and narrow stretches, very typical of the roads here in Africa. The airport is located in Area 52, essentially the small town of Lumbazi. It's a pretty straightforward airport. I paid a small fee—about 1,000 to 2,000 kwacha, roughly a dollar or so—to access a viewing area where you can watch planes come in. While waiting, I had a conversation with a truck driver who turned out to have worked at Nkhoma Mission Hospital, which will come back into the story later. I was so engaged in conversation that I only spotted Julie's plane after it had already landed. I watched her come down the airplane steps and walk across the tarmac to a bus—there was no jet bridge. Eventually Julie came through, and she was very happy to see me. The WHO had organized transportation for conference attendees, but this seemed like the only window I'd have to spend time with her, so I drove her myself. We stopped again at the Food Lovers Market coffee shop and caught up over food and drinks. Then I took Julie to the President Hotel, which is right next to the Bingu International Umudzi Park Resort and conference center. It was conveniently located so she could just walk to the conference venue. Besides attending the conference, Julie mentioned she had another goal: to interview as many attendees as possible. We had planned to do an interview ourselves, but decided to push that to the next day, Monday. I dropped her off and headed back to the New Area 3 Lodge. It's a basic place and a bit hard to find, but it works. All in all, it was a fabulous and memorable day.

    April 12 2026 - Picking Up Julie at Lilongwe Airport Malawi

  4. 1 day ago

    April 11 2026 - Riding Through Malawi to Lilongwe Capital

    Location: Malawi Summary: Today on April 11th, I left Liwonde and headed toward Lilongwe, the capital city of Malawi. Since I had stayed in town rather than at the Kutschaer place, it was easier to get going in the morning. Liwonde sits along the Shire River, and while there are hippos and crocodiles in the area, I couldn't see them from where I was staying. I did enjoy a lovely breakfast looking out over the river though. I learned about the barrage on the bridge over the Shire River, which is designed to control water flow from Lake Malawi to preserve water levels for electricity generation during dry times. The Shire River eventually joins the Zambezi River near Chirummo in Mozambique before flowing to the Indian Ocean. The roads out of Liwonde weren't great, but they improved after a while until I hit a long stretch of road construction. They're essentially building a brand new road with a temporary detour alongside it. They seem to work efficiently, but the sheer scale of the projects means it takes a long time. Despite the construction, it was a comfortable ride, and the scenery was absolutely stunning — the mountain shapes were endlessly beautiful and rewarding. I paid a road toll at one point, which wasn't much, and I was happy to contribute. When I arrived in the capital, I found the New Area 3 Lodge. The main road to get there was under construction, so I had to navigate around closures, which took extra time. The city is divided into numbered areas, which I haven't fully figured out yet. The lodge was reasonable and had Wi-Fi, which is a must for me to stay connected without burning through my data plan. They only serve breakfast though, so I decided to go to a Chinese restaurant nearby. I was advised not to walk there at night, so I drove the long way around. The restaurant had walls and security guards — just the African way of doing things. The food was absolutely delicious. I had a wonderful soup, and I made sure to order the small size since Chinese restaurant portions can be enormous. It was a great end to the day. Looking forward to tomorrow!

    April 11 2026 - Riding Through Malawi to Lilongwe Capital

  5. 1 day ago

    April 10 2026 - Liwonde National Park Safari

    Location: Malawi Summary: Today on April 10th, I headed to Liwonde National Park in Malawi after a great breakfast. My Garmin directed me to the south entrance, and I needed four-wheel drive to cross a river just before the park. The park entrance has two gates with electrified fencing and ground wires to keep animals from escaping. Entry cost about 65,000 Kwacha (under $40) for the car and myself, and I hired a guide for 15,000 Kwacha (less than $10) for a 2-3 hour game drive. I knew early morning is best for game drives, but I didn't start until around 10 AM. My guide had already been out that morning and had spotted lions. My main goal was to see elephants up close, as I'd only seen them from a distance so far. The roads were challenging but manageable since it was dry season. We spotted a crocodile on dry land, waterbuck, and other animals, though no hippos, zebras, or giraffes. After leaving the park, I stopped at a coffee spot and discovered Malawian coffee, which was excellent and reminded me of Ethiopian coffee. There I met Samuel (Sam), owner of the Kutcheyr Lodge. His story was incredible — he bought land inside the game park from a local chief for just $800 about eight years ago. He had no money to develop it, but when some foreign visitors arrived, he borrowed mattresses from a store, hosted them for one night, and charged $6-$10 each. The group loved his vision so much that each person gave him $1,000. He used that money to buy the mattresses permanently, purchase concrete, and start building. Now the lodge accommodates 100 people, with 80% of guests coming from the Netherlands. I visited the lodge and it's basic but incredibly special — you might literally find a crocodile at your doorstep since it's inside the park fence. Signs are in Dutch, and I met four Dutch medical students from the University of Groningen doing hospital internships in Malawi. I wished I could have stayed there but had already committed to my own accommodation. I also checked out the Hippo Lodge, a massive facility along the river with capacity for 500 people. It was clean and well-kept, and I enjoyed an amazing Chinese-style soup at their restaurant. Room rates were 160,000 Kwacha per person — more affordable than some places but still 2.5 times what I'm currently paying. What a full and fascinating day in Malawi!

    April 10 2026 - Liwonde National Park Safari

  6. 1 day ago

    April 9 2026 - Ekoa Stoves in Malawi

    Location: Malawi Summary: Today I left Blantyre after sorting out my car information and headed toward Liwonde National Park, hoping to do a game drive the next day. The roads were decent with occasional potholes — just enough to keep you on your toes. Along the way, I had a wonderful surprise: I spotted the Ekoa stove facility, which originated from the Burn Design Lab and is primarily manufactured in Kenya. It turns out they've expanded into Malawi, and Peter Scott is leading the effort here. They employ about 80 people producing the stoves and sell them at just 10% of production cost. The idea is to give people a stake in ownership so they value the stoves more than if they were simply given away, while still making them affordable. These stoves save wood and effort, and the facility has plenty of room to expand. It was a brief but fascinating visit. Arriving in Liwonde, the roads got significantly worse, especially in the southern part of town. I crossed the Shire River, which connects to Lake Makombe and ultimately Lake Malawi. Accommodation options were either very expensive or unavailable, but I found Villa Leonde. The road to get there wasn't great, but the location on the Shire River, looking across at Liwonde National Park with mountains in the background, was absolutely stunning and restful. The host promised Wi-Fi and delivered excellent connectivity. The river is known for hippos and crocodiles, though I didn't spot any during my stay. For dinner, I walked a few hundred meters to the Water's Edge Lodge. For comparison, my accommodation cost 70,000 kwacha with breakfast, while the Water's Edge charges 330,000 kwacha. Their dinner menu was reasonable though, and I enjoyed a nice soup with great ambience. Hopefully tomorrow the game drive works out!

    April 9 2026 - Ekoa Stoves in Malawi

  7. 1 day ago

    April 8 2026 - Importing a Toyota Car to Malawi: Costs & Tips

    Location: Malawi Summary: Today I set out in Blantyre, Malawi, to gather important information about my Toyota and what my options are for potentially selling or importing it. I started by visiting a Toyota dealer, where the receptionist quickly connected me with a knowledgeable technician. My first priority was determining the exact manufacturing year of my car, since US import regulations depend on the fabrication date. The car was registered in the Netherlands in July 2007, but it was originally manufactured in Japan and shipped via Dubai, so I had no proof of the actual build year. The technician knew exactly where to look — he found a label near the passenger seat belt attachment point on the body of the car, which confirmed it was manufactured in 2006. That was a huge relief. He also explained what's required to import the car into Malawi and advised that I'd likely need to import it first before selling it, which raises its own set of challenges. He directed me to the Malawi Revenue Authority (MRA) to find out the import tax, which depends on the vehicle's age, make, and value. I decided to visit the MRA office in Blantyre even though I might end up selling the car in Lilongwe, the capital. Finding the office wasn't straightforward — the entrance wasn't obvious and I needed help from a kind stranger working nearby. Once inside, it took about five different people to work through my inquiry. I didn't get an official assessment, but I received an informal estimate: roughly $10,000 in import duties, based on the $25,000 (or €22,000) purchase price I could prove with my agreement. I arrived just before lunch, so I had to wait an hour and a half while the staff took their break. During that time, I chatted with the person who had helped me find the office. I also learned that this MRA location handles both inland matters and clearing goods that arrive by truck without having been properly cleared beforehand, so they take their documentation seriously. After getting all this valuable information, I headed back to the hotel feeling like I'd taken a meaningful step forward in figuring out my next move. It's great to have concrete numbers and details to work with as I narrow down my options.

    April 8 2026 - Importing a Toyota Car to Malawi: Costs & Tips

  8. 1 day ago

    April 7 2026 - Exploring Blantyre Malawi

    Location: Malawi Summary: Today I made my way to Blantyre, Malawi. I had changed my original plans to head north right away because I now have an engagement on Sunday the 12th to meet someone at the airport in Lilongwe, the capital. This gave me time to visit Blantyre and sort out a few things. The drive wasn't too long, which I appreciated because it meant I arrived in the early to mid-afternoon — a great time to find accommodation. The road had some potholes but nothing compared to the day before, and the scenery was never boring. Every country has its own flavors, and the street scenes in Malawi are no exception. Blantyre turned out to be more of a spread-out collection of little villages rather than a proper city. There isn't much of a downtown — just a busy area and that's about it. I found my way to the Chinyonga Guesthouse, taking some rough roads to get there. It's situated on a hill with lovely territorial views from the rooms, a small swimming pool, and built-in exercise from all the steps you have to climb to reach the rooms. It was reasonably priced too. The receptionist told me she started working there in 2012 when they only had 2 rooms, and now they have 14 with plans to add 2 more. Very friendly people — it was a great choice. At the guesthouse I met Eros, a Belgian who works in Germany and runs bubblesforfun.com. He's a street bubble performer who has been doing it for many years, including time in South America. At 45, he's now looking to settle down and find a more permanent situation. We had interesting conversations, including about my plans to sell my car. He connected me with a friend named Andrew in Lilongwe who suggested I just leave the car there and not worry about it. I think I'll need a bit more information than that before making any decisions. The guesthouse served dinner at their small restaurant, which is just for guests on an occasional basis. I always appreciate that since it means I don't have to drive anywhere. I also took a walk higher up the hill to enjoy more views. Blantyre is a fascinating place, but it's not really a city in my book. A good day overall.

    April 7 2026 - Exploring Blantyre Malawi
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About

Bridging the Continents follows the inspiring journey of André van der Most as he drives a Toyota Land Cruiser from Holland to Uganda along the rugged west coast of Africa. More than just an overland adventure, this podcast shines a light on the people and organizations making a difference across the continent. Through stories from the road—navigating borders, crossing deserts, and connecting with communities—André shares both the challenges and triumphs of his expedition. Along the way, he highlights local nonprofits that are working tirelessly to empower communities, preserve cultures, and create lasting impact. Whether you’re passionate about travel, cultural exchange, or grassroots change, Bridging the Continents offers an unfiltered look at what it means to journey with purpose.

Information

  • Creator
    Andre van der Most
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    217
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Andre van der Most
  • Show Website
    Bridging The Continents