A Botswanan Adventure.

[drron]

Fortunately not an early start so we enjoyed a leisurely breakfast.Went back to the room after brekkie and found this fellow on the pathway-

Then off to Victoria Falls.First stopped at a craft market-

next our first view of the falls-

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At this point you were right at the top of the Falls.April is the time of maximum flow over the Falls.At this time of year the flow over the Falls can exceed 500 million litres a minute.

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[drron]

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We then walked back past Dr.Livingstone-

to get a better view of the Falls-

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[drron]

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You have to layer to try and keep dry.We both had a waterproof jacket covered by a raincoat and then a poncho.We still got very wet.Many had not done there research and arrived without any protection and carrying expensive cameras.Here is mrsdrron-

Before it gets really wet there are locals renting cheap plastic raincoats for $US5 as well as selling postcards and DVDs.This is a picture they had giving an aerial view of the Falls-

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So back to the Falls-

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Mrsdrron with Chris our guide-

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And the famous bridge linking Zambia to Zimbabwe-

 

[drron]

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zimbabwe and the Victoria hotel-

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From now photos were pot luck.Had the camera under the 3 layers.If I felt the spray had stopped I whipped around and shot.no time to compose a picture-

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The knife edge bridge.very slippery as the water was running down the pathway-

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[drron]

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[drron]

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now on the way back-

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Another of the aerial photos.We are now out of the spray-

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And back to the craft market where I became an instant trillionaire.Also an upmarket craft shop-

 

[drron]

So now to mrsdrron's pictures of Victoria Falls-

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[drron]

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So that was our experience of victoria Falls.Amazing experience.But now time to go back to Sussi and Chuma.We stopped to look back at the top of the Falls-

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On the outskirts of Livingstone we saw these guys-

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Quite a few Art deco buildings in Livingstone but this one was interesting-

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[Stoopidsteve]

You didn't fancy going for a dip in the devil's pool then (those not familiar with it, google it)?

And that hotel reminds me Fawlty Towers makes lots of anagrams. Flowery something or other, I think is one that sticks in the memory...

love the TR. Thanks

 

[drron]

The Devil's pool is not recommended in April.The flow is too great.
I really didn't want to be a meal for the crocodiles in the gorges below.

 

[mrs.dr.ron]

The Devil's pool is not recommended in April.The flow is too great.
I really didn't want to be a meal for the crocodiles in the gorges below.

Chris our guide told us when the water flow is at its peak often elephants and hippos get caught in the current flow and cant escape and over they go :shock:
- I am glad I didnt see that.

 

[drron]

Went back to our room after our visit to the Falls.Our guard was still there-

Now lunch starts at 1230 and we were there on the dot.No staff.A little later a fellow comes out and says the kitchen isn't ready and lunch will be about 15 minutes.So we have a glass of SB.Then our guide Chris goes running by and down to the boats.The waiter says Chris has seen something on the Island.he thinks a python has a young crocodile.Says he will take you to see it so off we all go to the boat.We pass the first island,then the second and we all start getting suspicious.Finally land on Sussi Island and we are greeted by this-

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A picnic in the middle of the Zambezi river.just great.

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There were facilities-

Didn't want to use it so back to lunch washed down by more SB-

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The baboutie-a beef curry slice was very good.

 

[drron]

It was then time to go back to camp-

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Back by 1430.We decide to go to town.I go to the Livingstone Museum and mrsdrron goes to another craft market but with things actually being made.First into town.As I said this camp is in a National Park so first we cross the train line-

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And then the highway north-

That is a Sanctuary vehicle picking up the rubbish along the highway.They really do a good job.

 

[drron]

On our way into town we pass a couple of "car washes".Very popular around Africa.

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And a large cemetery-

With several new graves-

Interesting signs-

The cathedral with advertising signs on the fence-

And the Livingstone museum-

Fascinating museum.Letters by Livingstone and his coat.Many stories.I was interested in Sussi and Chuma.They were with him when he died in May 1873.The removed his heart and internal organs burying them under a tree.They salted his body,sewed it up in sailcloth and carried him from Nyasaland to the Coast.His body was taken back to old Blighty and buried in Westminster Cathedral on 1/4/1874.
Mrsdrron went to the craft market.There were people actually creating their works there-

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[drron]

Back to the Camp.A bushbuck was again right beside our room-

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We were going to have a bath but the tub didn't hold water so we did the next best thing-

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We were able to watch the guests coming back from their sunset cruise-

Then off to dinner.Pumpkin soup and pork for me.Teriyaki prawns and fish for mrsdrron.Was very nice.
But the service here was not as good as at the previous camps.For example the manager talked to the other 7 guests but missed us.In fact the only time we talked to her was when we arrived.No afternoon tea served.You were told you could go and sit upstairs and you could order coffee etc.problem was there was no one to take your order.Not sure if it was just Zambia but certainly mrsdrron didn't hold back when completing the guest questionnaire.
However I would not have missed these 2 days.Walking with the rhino and our first sighting of a lion at close distance were the 2 breath taking moments.Victoria Falls should not be missed.So spectacular at this time of year.

Our wildlife viewing was not over.As we entered our room mrsdrron was attacked and believe me she can really jump.Turned out to be this fellow-

At breakfast another Afrikaaner couple had arrived.I said hello but was ignored.Sorry but i think the old name was appropriate-the Boers.An anagram of their behaviour.Now there were some notable exceptions,but overall I was not impressed.Bags packed by 1000 and off to the airport at 1020.
Some more Livingstone buildings-

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So now winding down.just 2 flight reports to come.

 

[zig]

So sad that it is coming to an end

 

[drron]

Thanks zig.I am feeling the same way.This TR has been different.I really am reliving it as I post particularly going through the animal photos.But as they say all good things must come to an end.Time to get back to frequent flying.
At LVI all your bags are X-rayed before checkin.Noone else there so virtually straight through to Immigration.This is just a desk at the entrance to the gate lounge.As we were being processed 2 locals walked straight past and sat down.BA use a third party lounge here.Also used by SAA and Diners club.A new terminal is being built so things may change soon.The lounge is very small.No showers or wifi.It was nearly vempty when we walked in-

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When we arrived the lounge was fairly empty.Soon after two young Afrikaaners arrived.They had a beer every 10-15 minutes.One was on his mobile phone all the time and with each beer he got louder.He was soon outdone though when a large group of Americans arrived.Soon the place was over full.Then the power cut out and it was getting oppressive so we went out to the gate lounge.The last few for an SAA flight are held up as the security scanner is out of action without power.
Power comes back on,the line clears and the woman operator comes over to us asking if we are on the BA flight.She says we can go through.A few seconds later the call is made for the flight.We get through and the power goes off again.So a fair wait before boarding.

BA6292 LVI-JNB. ETD-1330. Pushback-1341. Take off-1345.
ETA-1515. Landed-1513. At gate-1521.
Again European type J on this 734.We are the only 2 in J.Really good service by the African crew.Get our wine glasses refilled without asking.Read a newspaper for the first time in 12 days.A chicken wrap with veggies and dip plus some really tasty popped corn-

Along with all the South african corruption stories was a tale of the Kruger rhinos.500 killed in 2012.A very smooth flight.Arrived at an airbridge but had to go down the stairs and be bussed to Immigration.Not a huge queue at Immigration so quickly through.Got to the carousel as the bags started to come out.Ours was the only priority bag and it came out last.
Soon through to the terminal and driven by Solomon to the Sheraton.A really nice guy.

The time in Pretoria and our flight back to SYD are in the first part of the TR here-
http://www.australianfrequentflyer....otos/with-the-explorer-in-africa-48266-5.html

Only a summary to come.

 

[drron]

Going to Africa has been a dream of mine since childhood.it didn't let me down.I deliberately picked Botswana after researching African history.It scores amongst the best of African nations on freedom,lack of corruption and living standards.The hard line taken against poaching was another factor.
So I really reccomend Botswana.You really have to go to the Okavango delta though.It was just amazing.We were not there in peak season when the water comes in and most wildlife is confined to islands.Talking with the managers though I doubt it makes a huge difference.At our time the animals are more spread out but it is much easier to get around.Most of the trails we were on would be under water.So it takes longer to get around.Comes down to personal preference.The weather we had was just perfect.

We went with Sanctuary Resorts and are pleased we did.Certainly expensive but most in the Delta are.It is part of the Botswanan Government's plan.They deliberately have chosen low numbers with high value rather than mass tourism.Certainly better for the wildlife.
Botswana Safaris | Luxury Botswana Holiday | Sanctuary Retreats s

There are other operators in the Delta so just do your research.

Now the reason this was a long trip was because mrsdrron really didn't want to go to Africa.The only reason I got her there was the Silverseas cruise.However she does admit she did like Botswana.So put it on your bucket list.

 

[Myrna]

Thank you very much, drron, for this trip report!

We took our first trip to Africa 7 years ago (after waited for almost 15 years) and loved it so much that we are going there Easter 2014 (similar time to your trip this year). We are going back to Sydney next year for a week long visit after Easter, but we will do a stopover in Africa for 5 days. We were debating whether to go to Cape Town and Victoria Falls (both we did on our first trip), or to go somewhere else. Hubby then decided that we would go to a new place - Botswana! So, I searched the forum and found your great trip report on Botswana. I read it in one go - this morning.

Viewing all your photos brought back good memories of our first trip. So, we look forward to seeing all those animals in the wild again - and the birds (which we did not see many on our first trip).