"Ohh David Livingstone came from Scotland too!" (part 3)

Day 4

We didn't think that we could top day 3 but we were wrong! Very early in the morning we headed back to the conservation centre to meet Mary. She is 21 years old like Sarah, and her family live at the centre.  

This is Mary!

We went on a walk through the bush, luckily meeting no other animals, apart from a little chameleon. At the end of the walk we were able to thank our elephants with a snack. There were two ways we could feed her-either you told her to open her mouth and you put the food on her tongue or she hoovered it from your hand using her trunk. 

Stopping for a snack

We then had a mad dash to Royal Livingstone where we caught our boat to Livingstone Island. The view of the falls was a lot more impressive as you could see the Zimbabwe side. From there we swam across the river, avoiding rocks and the current that could drag us over the edge of the falls, to what is known as Devils Pool. It is 15m deep and right on the edge of the falls. We jumped in and were allowed to peer over the edge (with people holding our feet) to see the falls and gorge below. Lets just say that's the most adrenaline we have felt in a while!  Once we swam back to the island we were fed a yummy breakfast, of scones, bacon and eggs, under a gazebo.

David Livingstone plaque 

Devils Pool

Just a little bit terrified! 

Hanging out

Right on the edge

Brekkie...NOM! 

For the rest of the day we took the opportunity to sunbathe- we can't leave Africa without a tan!
To round off our trip Option decided to show us the Zambian nightlife. We drank and danced at a Mexican bar where we recognised some of the songs and Options friends declared their love for us....hahaa!

Royal Livingstone with Nyami Nyami cocktails

Day 5

We met Mma Shana's son Jay in Livingstone and travelled back to Maun with him. It was a very long 12 hours but allowed us to recover from Zambia, before being welcomed back home with hugs from Mma Shana and Cecie! 

Mma Shana (our Botswana Mum) 

"Ohh David Livingstone came from Scotland too!" (part 2)

Day 3

In the morning we visited Mukuni Village where we were given a tour by a lady called Lumbo. Life there seems very difficult and they have some interesting history. For example a male Chief cannot retire and if he doesn't die naturally the council poison him! Also, next to the Chief's 'palace' there is a 700 year old tree which David Livingstone sat under when he visited. Later we spent all the money in our purse at the craft market because although the villagers were very friendly they made you feel really guilty about them not being able to feed their families. 

A typical village house

Tree used to make love potions 

700 year old tree (and our taxi)

Male Chief's 'Palace' 

Village jail- used for those who disrespect their parents (David you would spend most of your time there!)

Later that afternoon we thought we would take a casual walk...in the bush...with lions! It was a bit nerve racking when they ran towards us and our only form of defense was a stick. We were able to stroke their backs and carry their tails.  

Katie and Nelly

moment of panic! 

Nelly and Simba 

Just chatting...with a lion next to us! 

Then we decided since we still had 10 fingers we would walk with some cheetahs. Although they are wild animals it was just like stroking the acts at home, especially when they purr really loudly! All the interactions are done at a conservation centre where they hope to breed and release the offspring into the wild.

Lillian, Susan and Maga

"Ohh David Livingstone came from Scotland too!" (part 1)

Time for country number 2: Zambia! 

Day 1

Leaving Botswana you come across a rather amusing road sign with Namibia to the left, Zimbabwe to the right and straight ahead to Zambia. We were headed for Zambia. Being so close to the borders we were welcomed to each country in a text from Orange. Once we were stamped out of Botswana we stood in no-mans land waiting for a 'ferry' which is basically a barge which takes lorries across and foot passengers have to run onto it as it leaves. Our home in Livingstone was Fawlty Towers, a fabby backpackers with a great pool, comfy lounge and bar and really friendly staff (and cats!). 

We spent the afternoon sunbathing and then we decided to have a few drinks with some Germans and a Zambian who called us sister-sister. Unfortunately, it turns out the mixture of heat and lack of alcohol for the past month has made us lightweights. 

Day 2

It was time for the biggest attraction in Livingstone- Victoria Falls, or as the locals call it Mosi-Oa Tunya (The smoke that thunders). Unfortunately it is the dry season and most of the water is being channeled into a hydro electric station (which we visited-aren't you proud Dad?). This meant that on the Zambian side there is not so much the Victoria Falls but a single Victoria Fall. This didn't make it any less stunning as we walked along the edge.

...but it was nice to see the gorge at the bottom too

Hydro electric station (and guide with a gun!!)

The boiling pot (where rafting begins)

We saw this...

but clearly water bursts weren't a problem!

 Then later we went to the bungee jump- don't be stupid, we didn't bungee! We did however watch other people throw themselves 111m into the gorge.

In the evening we tried to play pool- we thought we were bad, but Option was even worse. His specialty was hitting the balls off the table haha! We made friends with a loud South African when he agreed to be Sarah's pool coach (not that it made much of a difference)

Time for Chobe

So after 2 busy weeks in Maun we went on a holiday! Our guide (called Option) looked pretty cool with dreadlocks and a gold tooth, and with him we travelled 7 hours  north to a town called Kasane. On route there were loads of ostriches and amusing road signs. There are no deer crossing signs in Botswana just elephant crossing signs! The 7 hours were filled with Option's African disco music which sounds like a mash up of Phil Collins and Eurovision, but is actually very catchy. Unfortunately we also came across a car that had spun off the road and set fire to the bush. Luckily Option, and the other drivers that had stopped, managed to put the fire out using car parts and peeing on it. 

After we arrived in Kasane we spent another 2 nights camping, but luckily this was no ordinary camping. We were in a fabby campsite attached to the beautiful Chobe Safari Lodge. This meant we could make use of the pool and bar, and even enjoy a buffet dinner by candlelight (just the 2 of us-very romantic!) And although monkeys used our tent as a jungle gym and warthogs were regular visitors, all of our belongings stayed inside the tent this time!

Chobe Safari Lodge

Having a drink at the bar

Chobe River

Cheeky monkeys...at least they weren't baboons!

Campsite

Right next to our tent!

Whist staying in Kasane we had a game drive into Chobe National Park, where our vehicle got stuck! Thank goodness another truck came along and towed us. Later we went on a sunset cruise down Chobe river where we got pretty close to some crocodiles and hippos. However, the most exciting part was definitely watching a herd of elephants in the river, using their trunks as snorkels. Crossing the Chobe river meant that these elephants were travelling from Namibia to Botswana...without needing a passport! 

Bee-eater

Crossing the river

Sunset cruise with Option

Namibia to the left, Botswana to the right

Sunset

Check out the men stuck up the tree because of the hippo!

Fish Eagle