Falls and Safari
December 13, 2011 § 2 Comments
During our visit with the girls, we spent 3 nights in Livingstone, Zambia as well as a day trip to Chobe, Botswana. It was a great trip for many reasons but most of all was the fabulous company that we got to enjoy!
The Gang - Ben, Elizabeth, Kelly, and Myself
We went at the end of the dry season so the water is very low. We’re told that after the rainy season you can expect to be soaked walking through where were were.
Mosi-O-Tunya or "The Smoke that Thunders"
Vic Falls
Parents, don’t worry. Ben is on the edge but the rocks are completely dry and stable. I don’t know what got into him but he had to get as close as he could. I was a little more sane (as well as hot and tired) and enjoyed relaxing in the cool river instead.
On the edge
We enjoyed High Tea at the Royal Livingstone Hotel to celebrate Elizabeth’s 30th birthday. It was such a treat and the spread was incredible! Creme brulee, quiche, cucumber sandwiches, and a variety of cakes and puddings.
Birthday Celebration!
Tea for two
The spread
The next day, we headed down to Chobe, Botswana. At the border, we squeezed onto a small ferry that only had room for 2 big trucks and about 30 people. Let’s just say it wasn’t quite up to safety code. To top it off, the diesel exhaust blew in our face for the 5 minute ride across the Zambezi river. It wasn’t until we crossed that we realized that there was a private boat that had been waiting for us! Guess we were just too eager to do things the local way.
Ferrying across the Zambezi
Tight squeeze
We spent the morning on the Chobe River enjoying tea, biscuits, and wild life.
River cruise
At one point, the table cloth kept blowing off the table so our captain/guide had Ben take the wheel while he fixed the table cloth. Ha!
Captain Ben
In the afternoon, we took a game drive into the park and were fortunate enough to spot many animals even though the rains had already started and the animals didn’t need to be at the river anymore.
Hippos
Giraffes
Such an awkward way to drink!
Elephants
My foot in an elephant's footprint
Safari crew (Kelly was sick this day...stupid African GI bugs)
It was a wonderful trip and we’re looking forward to bringing other friends and family to our new favorite places in Livingstone also!
Oh my GOODNESS! We were at VF in May 2010 and it was CRAZY! The mist was so thick we could barely get pictures. I had no idea that water dropped that much.
(http://zchristy.wordpress.com/2010/05/16/wonder-of-the-world/)
Enjoying your blog- glad you got this time with friends.
~Christy
Wow! There is quite a difference. It’s amazing how much the water level changes.