On 23 March 1988, a tank with the call sign 53 got stuck in a minefield in the 3rd attack on Tumpo (Cuito Cuanavale, Angola), and it was abandoned.
The intention was to go back and recover the tank, but the Angolans captured it, before this could be done.
It is understood that it was taken to the Cuito River, where a GSP55 (Russian amphibious vehicle) was supposed to take it across the river. This could not be done, as it was too heavy.
The tank disappeared into thin air, and became the Holy Grail of the Angolan, Mozambican and African Relics FaceBook group.
On 11 October 2013, the search for the Holy Grail began, and had all engrossed trying to find it. On 14 August 2014, almost 27 years after being captured, the Holy Grail was found.
This Trip Report covers the planning of the journey, the execution (5 – 18 March 2015) of the intended visit to 53, the trials, tribulations, mud, sweat and tears.
| Attachment | Size |
|---|---|
| Operation 53 - The Planning | 3.34 MB |
| Operation 53 - Day 1 | 1.09 MB |
| Operation 53 - Day 2 | 749.14 KB |
| Operation 53 - Day 4 | 813.08 KB |
| Operation 53 - Day 5 | 1.29 MB |
| Operation 53 - Day 6 | 1.08 MB |
| Operation 53 - Day 7 | 933.6 KB |
| Operation 53 - Day 8 | 1.79 MB |
| Operation 53 - Day 9 | 780.56 KB |
| Operation 53 - Day 10 | 978.22 KB |
Is dit suid van die Juksei…
Is dit suid van die Juksei rivier? 
Perhaps KampForum needs to plan a trip to Angola?
Need a GPS?
LOL! Yes, is you are using outdated maps....
We need to step outside our comfort zones, and that is what makes Angola attractive, up and above the history, and in particular the way it affected our lives...
Not so way out that there are significant risks....
Land mines are a reality, but I feel safer in Angola, than in South Africa.
Theoretically, if you enjoy camping, and have an off-road vehicle, then you have a pioneering and adventurous spirit.
You only have one life! Live it!
The adventurous spirit is…
The adventurous spirit is there. The life I have, with the time. It is just my bank account that doesn't want to play along nicely at this point. 
Costs of a Trip to Angola
Yes, time is a constraint, but you can do a short trip in two weeks.
Guess the price of our trips, per person, including fuel, food and refreshments, excluding vehicle financing costs, wear and tear?
Nee ek weet nie jong, sê…
Nee ek weet nie jong, sê maar? Seker meer as 'n naweek kamp in Brits? 
Cost of 2-Week Trip to Angola
It is R 12,000 per person.
Compare that to a holiday in Cape Town, and you still have to take your own water with you.
Distance wise, the Angola border is about an extra 800km extra compared to travelling to Cape Town.
Then, who actually drives to Cape Town. Once you get there, there is car rental and accommodation.
That's if you don't get blown away by the South Easter.
If you travel with a SUV and the minimum of a trailer, costs can come down from sharing the fuel cost between 4 people.
This might limit your route, but for a first trip, you will get a great experience of Southern Angola.
Recommendation is that on your first trip, go with someone who has traveled the before.
If you need a guide, I have a friend living in Angola (and also a veteran), who can do it for about R 8,000. Scope of what is included will need to be confirmed.
Dink julle ek gaan dit maak…
Dink julle ek gaan dit maak met my VW Caddy en Camplite waentjie? 
Vehicle for Trip to Angola
mmm... this will certainly limit where you can go to.
My experience of a lot of the road in Namibia and Botswana, is that you should get there... no heavy sand though...
You can get to Cuito, Menongue, Lubango and Namibie... tar roads all the way.
Perhaps do a northern Namibia/Botswana trip and Southern Angola - one week in Angola.
Flamingo Lodge has thick sand down the river bed and on the beach.
The other way, travel with a friend who has a suitable vehicle.
Kampforum Trip to Angola
Perhaps KampForum needs to plan a trip to Angola?