January 30, Livingston, Zambia

Up early to take a microlight flight over the Victoria Falls! Wow, amazing. The falls are huge.
Best part was we flew through the Angel's kiss, the mist thrown up by the falls. You could feel and smell the difference. Then I even flew it for a couple of minutes, of course with the pilot's hands on the bar. Great fun. Apparently, according the Men's Health, 2009 this is the top thing to do here!

Then a dash to catch the white water rafting trip down the Zambezi River! Started at 6 1/2 and go out at 25. About 3 hours on the river, and in the river! Water was great and the trip was super. Highest was a Class 5 fall, and a portage around a Class 6! Great fun. This is one of the top 10 in the world... so we were told. Lots of fun.


January 29, Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe

A short 2 hour drive and we arrive at Victoria Falls! Took a walk along the falls. We were told that the mist was not too bad... but still got soaked but then a rain storm went through.... with very high winds. Tough to get pictures as I did not want to get the camera wet, not sure how it survived as I was totally soaked!

The falls are impressive! 1.5 km long. There are trails along the edge and the views were amazing.
Off to hotel to check in. Lots of monkeys around. One lady had a fight with one, the monkey wanted her shoe! Then we went out to a restaurant for the farewell dinner for our guide and 3 people on the tour. A great night, but sad to see them leave.


January 28, Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe

After a short drive of about 5 hours arrived at the park. Staying right in the park that has a pond in front for watching animals. Only saw the malibo stork, but then a herd of elephants went through the trees but did not come down to the water.

Went out on safari, again in an open truck. We got very close to zebras, impalas, and very very close to elephants. Great! As we drove away a young one chased us, shook his head and trumpeted as if to say 'don't come back'.
Drove around for about 3 hours. We saw a couple of spotted/painted wild dogs. Apparently very rare to see! We have been so lucky. Also saw a couple of jackals but they were very fast!

Another great day with the animals!










January 27, Matobo National Park, Zimbabwe

An easy start to the day. Breakfast and 8 am and then off on a bush walk at 9. An easy 1 1/2 hour walk through the bush at the back of the lodge. It was up, over, and under, trees, bushes, styles, rocks. Great fun. The area is cover in granite rock that stick out of the ground, some level and other several metres high. We stopped at one with several 2000 year old drawings. Amazing that they have last this long.

You could make out some of the drawings, men, animals but that was about it. Then onto the next cave with more drawings. Some of these were larger drawings but most in the same style. This cave also had the oven for making pottery as well as some pottery pieces.
Relaxed a bit, picnic lunch near the horse paddock and then a climb up the granite rock at the back of the lodges. Great view.

At 3.30 pm off on another safari. This was a bush walk with rhinos. White rhinos which are not as aggressive as the black rhinos. We had a bit of walk first in the grass and bush but no rhinos.. just impalas and zebras. Then to another spot where there were 3 rhinos! Damn we were about 50 feet away from them Amazing to see and be that close! There was a mother and 2 year old and a male that was looking to mate. Great to see.
Dinner of a super roast beef and then to bed... on the road again tomorrow!


January 26, Matobo National Park, Zimbabwe

A lazy start to the day! We did not leave until 8.30!

A short drive to the The Great Zimbabwe, the site of a settlement that dates back to between 1200 and 1700. This is a King's house built on one of the large granite rocks. The rooms and balconies were built of granite rocks cut into bricks. The is no mortar used! Amazing. It was a bit of a climb but good after so many days just eating and sitting! The view from the top was great. The was also the The Great Enclosure where the King's 200 wives lived, also made of granite bricks.

Back in the van and arrived about 6 pm. We do make stops along the way for bathroom and to the grocery stores. We did stop at a road side stall that was selling soap stone carvings. All beautiful but fairly heavy. There were about 6 people all selling stuff from a huge assortment of carvings. The big 5 of course but also some more modern free form carvings. Several people did buy stuff and it seemed like the prices were quite good, low compared to some of the carvings I have seen. Lunch is on the go but dinner was another braai (BBQ). Steak, sausage, and chicken wings with salad and pap! All very good.

Things are very expensive here. I do not know how people make a living as the wages are apparently very low. They must set priorities..food and then the extras. The people are all very nice and we have not had any problems.
The country side is amazing. Lots of corn and even sugar cane. There are many huge granite boulders every where!
Another great Lodge! Set on a private reserve with individual houses for each of us. All very comfortable. Last night there was only power from 6 pm to 10 pm. They use a generator.