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. 7h ago

    April 29 - May 1 2026 - Catching Up with Friends in Malawi Travel

    Location: Malawi Summary: These past few days, from April 29th through May 1st, I've been taking things a bit slower in Malawi while recovering from a cold and sorting out logistics. On Wednesday the 29th, I finally caught up with the North Carolina group I'd been trying to meet. Persistence paid off, and they invited me to share dinner with them. We had a great exchange of stories — Frank, one of the group members, had lived in several places across Africa and traveled from Malawi all the way to Ethiopia in stages. He was curious about my experiences in West Africa, so we had a wonderful time sharing travel insights. They're wrapping up their two-week journey and heading out on Monday. I spent a good amount of time sorting through my belongings, trying to decide what stays and what goes. I've somehow ended up with one more suitcase than I'd like but one fewer bag than I started with. The packing puzzle is real. On Friday, May 1st, it turned out to be a government holiday, so visiting the MRA in Lilongwe would have been pointless. Steven had spoken with the key contact the day before, and it sounds like if that person had been available, I could have been on my way already. But he's in transit and should be back Monday. My main priority is getting signed out with my carnet de passage for the ambulance donation. Donating the vehicle is one thing, but releasing the financial deposit tied to the carnet is not something I intend to forfeit. Hopefully Monday will be the day we get that resolved. I also need to extend my stay in Malawi since I was given 30 days starting April 6th, and time is running short. Getting into Kenya requires an online application process that's more demanding than anywhere I've encountered before — they want all your entry and exit tickets plus details of where you'll be staying every single night. Usually countries just ask about your first night's accommodation, which is already a hassle, but this takes it to another level. If I were driving, I could simply say I'm in transit, but since I won't have my own car, I need to plan it all out. I also enjoyed exploring the local town and market, which always fascinates me. There are tiny cell phone repair shops run by one person doing their best. It's a charming and humbling place to spend time. Thanks for coming along on this journey with me.

    April 29 - May 1 2026 - Catching Up with Friends in Malawi Travel

  2. 7h ago

    April 28 2026 - International Potluck Tuesday at Hope's Inn

    Location: Malawi Summary: Today, April 28th, I found out about an International Potluck Tuesday being organized at Hope's Inn. I was invited and felt great about it, though I had also committed to meeting with a North Carolina group at the Bella restaurant. I tried going to the restaurant the night before, but it was closed on Mondays. When I went back before the scheduled meeting time, there was no electricity and the group wasn't there either, so communication has been minimal. I decided to focus on the potluck and made a nasi goreng variation to share. We had a small but wonderful group of people. Hana from Japan is here on a Peace Corps-equivalent assignment for two years, teaching primary school. She's a very outgoing person from north of Tokyo. Then there were Belinda and Marie, both studying at the University of Groningen in the Netherlands to become medical doctors. They're doing eight weeks of learning at Nakoma Mission Hospital. Interestingly, Marie is actually German but speaks Dutch as if it were her native language, which made for some fun stories. There was also a German lady who is staying here for a longer term, though I missed exactly what she does. And one person from Malawi who is currently helping out at the Bella restaurant. It was a great evening of exchanging information and sharing stories. That's really what life is all about — when you share things, everyone learns more. I'm hoping I'll still get to meet with the North Carolina group another time. This place is pretty amazing and it keeps on giving.

    April 28 2026 - International Potluck Tuesday at Hope's Inn

  3. 2d ago

    April 27 2026 - Land Cruiser Ambulance Project Update in Malawi

    Location: Malawi Summary: Today, April 27th, I had someone from the hospital come to get a first look at the Land Cruiser project. I've been making lists of everything that will be included with the vehicle and noting the few things that need fixing. Happy Megawi came by, and I couldn't think of a better person to help see this through. He took the Land Cruiser for a test drive around the surroundings and was very pleased with how it was running. This was our first pass, and we'll follow up with another review once more things are in place. I then went to the hospital and met with Steven, who informed me that my Blue Book research was a nice try but ultimately unnecessary. The Blue Book in Malawi is essentially the vehicle registration card, not the Kelly Blue Book value I had been researching. So that effort turned out to be redundant. Steven decided that instead of emailing the remaining information, he would personally travel to Lilongwe to deliver it, given the time pressure of me wanting to leave. This was a better approach since he could confirm receipt of the documents and get answers on the spot. While at the hospital, I got to meet Agnes, who is the main administrator and Steven's boss, as well as Salvador, the medical director. I even got to meet Dr. Vincent Moyo again, and this time we were able to shake hands. These were good encounters that made the overall picture more complete. Later I learned that Steven had followed through on his trip, but we're still missing a key contact at the Malawi Revenue Authority who knows the ins and outs of the registration and transfer process. So we're in a bit of limbo getting things completed. Patience is going to be essential, and it looks like I'll be here longer than I originally intended. But that's how things work in Africa — you go with the flow. In the meantime, I kept making more emergency food, and it's doing the job of keeping me fed. Thank you so much for coming along.

    April 27 2026 - Land Cruiser Ambulance Project Update in Malawi

  4. 2d ago

    April 26 2026 - Walking Through Nkhoma Sunday Market & Town

    Location: Malawi Summary: Today is April 26th, a Sunday, and I spent the day exploring Nakoma on foot. I forgot to mention that last night I had dinner at the Bella restaurant — just a quarter chicken, but it was really delicious. The night before, I had run into John and Beth Murphy from North Carolina, who are part of a church group visiting Nakoma for two weeks. Their Presbyterian church back home helps fund various projects here, and members visit once or twice a year to check on things. Some of them had been here before, and one had even worked at the Nakoma Hospital a few years ago. They were a truly inspiring group. They planned to attend church this Sunday morning, but I didn't pay close enough attention to the timing, so I missed it. Instead, I took a long walk through town. I passed by a gas station with very old pumps — they don't sell gas or diesel on Sundays but told me they'd have supplies the next day. Then I made my way to the market. When I entered, someone said something in the local language that I couldn't understand, but it got a big laugh from everyone within earshot. I'm sure it was about me showing up there, and honestly, if they got a good laugh at my expense, that's perfectly fine with me. The Sunday market was pretty quiet — just a few people selling basic vegetables like onions, potatoes, cassava, some greens, and aubergines. The ground is very uneven and a bit tricky to navigate if you're not steady on your feet, but there are plenty of stalls and signs of commerce. I never felt threatened; quite the opposite, I felt completely at ease. It was a great opportunity to see what daily life looks like in Nakoma. Afterward, I walked back through the hospital grounds to my accommodation. I've been finishing up the emergency food supplies I brought with me — the kind that just needs hot water added to a pouch or to be warmed up. Some came from the Netherlands and some from Norway, and it's been perfectly decent food. Putting it all to good use before it goes to waste.

    April 26 2026 - Walking Through Nkhoma Sunday Market & Town

  5. 2d ago

    April 25 2026 - Nakoma Mission Hospital Visit & Fuel Shortages

    Location: Malawi Summary: Today is April 25th, a Saturday, and I wanted to share a fun experience from yesterday. While driving back from Lilongwe to Nakoma Mission Hospital, we encountered a traffic jam at a gas station where people were lining up in anticipation of a fuel tanker arriving. During that traffic jam, Stephen spotted Dr. Moyo in a truck next to us. Dr. Moyo lowered his window and said hi — that was the first time I got to meet him, right there in traffic caused by fuel shortages. Dr. Moyo has been instrumental in helping me get the Land Cruiser to leave at Nakoma Mission Hospital. I wanted to share a bit more about Nakoma. The hospital was founded in 1915, making it over 100 years old. The area also hosts Nakoma University, the College of Nursing and Midwifery, and since 2017, Nakoma Mission Hospital has served as a teaching hospital. It's all connected to the Church of Central Africa Presbyterian, which has more than 3 million members in Central Africa. Another interesting thing I learned is that World Vision had been in Nakoma for about 20 years but pulled out last year. One of the reasons cited was that when they arrived, the malnutrition rate was 50%, and they helped reduce it to 20%. While that's significant progress, 20% is still a lot of people suffering from malnutrition. The signs of their presence remain, but World Vision is no longer operating there. Today I'm focused on sorting things out — emptying the Land Cruiser and finding places for everything. It's an exciting time in many ways, although I wish we had made more progress during our visit to Lilongwe. But there's not much one can do about it. Thank you for coming along on this journey.

    April 25 2026 - Nakoma Mission Hospital Visit & Fuel Shortages

  6. 6d ago

    April 24 2026 - Donating a Land Cruiser to Ngoma Mission Hospital

    Location: Malawi Summary: Today, April 24th, I started the day leaving my hotel and immediately noticed the long lines at gas stations. People were just waiting, hoping a tanker truck would arrive. The fuel prices here are absolutely insane — diesel costs 6,687 kwacha per liter, which works out to almost $15 US per gallon. Apparently only Hong Kong is more expensive. This is an extreme case though; Mozambique and other places I've been through were much cheaper. I made my way toward Ngoma, and I want to share the story of how I decided to donate my Land Cruiser to the Ngoma Mission Hospital. It came about through Julie, who suggested I ask Dr. Sekke Kayuni where the vehicle would have the most use. He was able to see the Land Cruiser and his first question was whether the religious denomination of the recipient mattered. I told him absolutely not — it's all about helping people, and whatever they believe is totally secondary. He consulted with his MD wife and came back recommending the Ngoma Mission Hospital. It helped that one of his study buddies, Dr. Vincent Moyo, is the assistant medical director there and also an ophthalmologist. I then connected with Agnes, the administrator, and ended up working with Steven Mvula, who is helping administer the whole donation process. Everything moved quickly once I arrived on Friday morning. I made it clear that I just wanted to leave the car and be on my way. That afternoon, Steven and I drove to Lilongwe to submit the necessary documents for permission. I waited in the car since I had caught a cold and didn't want to spread it, plus they speak their own language. There were a few more documents needed, and one interesting requirement was a "blue book." To me, that means Kelley's Blue Book from the US, which provides vehicle values. I took it upon myself to research that. I'm staying at Hope's Inn, an accommodation run by PBJ4Life.org (Peanut Butter and Jelly for Life — very American!). It's right next to the hospital and houses medical students, as Ngoma has been a teaching hospital since 2017. I explored a nearby spot called Bella Restaurant as well. It was a lot for one day, but I feel really good about everything. See you tomorrow.

    April 24 2026 - Donating a Land Cruiser to Ngoma Mission Hospital

  7. 6d ago

    April 23 2026 - Driving to Lilongwe: Waka Waka Hotel Stay

    Location: Malawi Summary: Today on April 23rd, I drove 350 kilometers back to Lilongwe along the same road I had traveled before, just in the opposite direction. Much of the road was still under construction, requiring slow detours around bridges being built, but the hillsides and mountains remained fascinating even on a second viewing. I found a place to stay near the direction I need to head tomorrow toward Nakoma — the Waka Waka Hotel. It has a very interesting name, and I think in its heyday it was a fantastic place. There's a club with a clubhouse on the second floor, a fabulous swimming pool that I regrettably didn't use, and life-size animal sculptures including a gorilla and various birds. The main issue plaguing the hotel, and Malawi in general, is the intermittent electricity. I was told the country has five sources of electricity but only two are really working, so they do rolling blackouts with no predictable schedule. Dinner was essentially in the dark. The hotel mostly hosts Malawians with few foreigners, but it served its purpose well. Tomorrow marks another kind of end to my journey, so I spent the evening preparing for what's ahead.

    April 23 2026 - Driving to Lilongwe: Waka Waka Hotel Stay

  8. 6d ago

    April 22 2026 - Umunthu Guesthouse Mzuzu: A Hidden Gem

    Location: Malawi Summary: I decided to stay an extra night at the Umuuntu Guesthouse in Mzuzu, Malawi, and I'm glad I did. The place has a wonderful atmosphere, and I really enjoyed talking with Caitlin, a Dutch woman who came to Malawi in 2006 from the Netherlands. She and her husband originally settled at a spot on Lake Malawi where they ran a camp for overland trucks for about five years. Tragically, her husband passed away in a car accident, but Caitlin has stayed on, dedicating herself to raising the two children in her care and seeing them through to adulthood. We had lunch together outside the guesthouse, and I learned a lot about the place. The name 'Umuuntu' carries deep meaning — it connects to the African philosophy of Ubuntu, which emphasizes the interconnectedness of humanity and the importance of community over individuality. Caitlin truly lives by this philosophy. She told me that about 95% of her guests are Malawian, with very few foreigners visiting. This is not a place you'd stumble upon by chance. The last 500 meters to reach it is a rough path mainly used by pedestrians, and driving through requires patience — even in dry weather. But that hidden quality adds to its charm. I was able to get some work done thanks to reasonable internet, enjoyed another great dinner, and explored the grounds. It's a sizable property, leased long-term, with only a handful of rooms and plenty of undeveloped potential. Like most places in the area, the property is walled in, though part of the wall has collapsed due to poor water management by the city — and getting compensation for that kind of damage is nearly impossible. Caitlin runs the place with the help of several people, including apprentices who come to learn from her, plus the ever-present security guards that are a staple of life across Africa. On Friday nights, they host karaoke, which was apparently more popular in the past but is still going. It's been an amazing stay, and I wish Caitlin all the best. If you ever find yourself in Mzuzu, I highly recommend checking out the Umuuntu Guesthouse.

    April 22 2026 - Umunthu Guesthouse Mzuzu: A Hidden Gem
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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
    232
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Andre van der Most
  • Show Website
    Bridging The Continents