Off to another country today to enjoy the natural beauty of Africa and so many incredible creatures. We went to Botswana on an amazing safari and cruise on the Zambezi river. It was an incredible day despite the 37+ degree heat.
We started the trip by crossing through a series of crossing, immigration and check points, not sure I’ll ever get used to cops with AK-47s. It wasn’t very tough and everyone was very nice so made it better. We had to take a boat across the Zambezi River to get to another vehicle to take us on the Safari. this River crossing is also a Ferry and meeting point between 4 countries. Its hectic and full of semi trucks waiting to cross. There are three ferries and can take one semi at a time, cept they constantly break down. The guide told us there are times these drivers are waiting for two weeks to cross! This is a perfect example of why they call it African time. No point in stressing over schedules cause seems almost nothing sticks to it anyways. Takes some adjustment but realized I hardly look at the time now a days but just go with the flow. Its been a great few days to start the trip!
So we start the trip with a 3 hour cruise down the Zambezi which is a way more lush area of Africa. Of course Murphys law kicked in and my love battery in my camera faded down to dead in less than an hour, then my other battery which was charged was now dead. Beginning to think heat discharges batteries like cold does. With still the full safari and boat ride ahead Simeon and Angie to the rescue, again! They have both been on the tour before so they leant me their incredibly better DSLR camera. After this trip I may look into a better camera for times like this, especially if I start to travel more.
In the waters we saw so many hippo’s under the water, Cape buffalo, Elephants, cranes, eagles, vultures, Crocodiles and even Cattle. It really is the meeting ground for all creatures! It’s incredible to see these animals up close, little scary at times but still incredible.
After the water we had a great lunch in a gorgeous lodge where everything is open air! I had to shake my head my chef came out with the package of what he called GF pasta but then I looked and it was whole wheat pasta. Celiac and Gluten is a hard thing to explain in Africa when people don’t know what it is at all. We make it work at least!
After lunch we went off on our Safari. Open air jeep with a top to shade the sun, it really made me miss my old jeeps! We saw hundreds of Elephants!
We drove basically through a few migration’s of herds from the water to the shade, got a little sketchy a couple of time but we all came out safe. We only saw 3 giraffe but it felt like a kindred Soul seeing that head stick out a good distance above the trees!! It’s fun being tall bit sure makes it hard to hide at times. I think the highlight was actually seeing a lion and a few cubs trying to keep cool in the shade. It was amazing to see this powerful huge cat, evening looking tired and incredibly hot panting away it’s an animal you definitely respect!!
I’m a bit more tanned and burned but was a day I’ll never forget. Now to rest up for tomorrow when Rylan and I are going to white water rafting the Zambezi River all day. Pray for a safe trip and that we both don’t get roasted in the sun as it will be over 38 degrees tomorrow.
This world is an incredible place, hope you all take a chance to look around you and really absorb the creation God has made!!
God Bless!