Zambia

Our first stop in Zambia was a campsite in Chipata not far from the border. Warned the distances between stops in Zambia were quite large we’d stocked up on truck snacks in advance… One of our group noted that travelling expands your mind as well as your behind.

From Chipata we drove along one of the worst roads of the trip for about five hours before arriving in the South Luanga national park. Our campsite here, named Crocodile Valley, lies on one bank of the Luanga river and had great views of the national park on the other side. The river below is full of crocodiles and hippos and other animals like elephants and impala would walk out of the park and down the bank to drink.

During the night hippos would climb up the bank on our side and munch on the green grass surrounding our tents. Lions were also heard prowling through the campsite. In the late afternoon on our third day here a herd of elephants walked in, coming within two metres of some of us. They ate the grass and tree branches, trampled the garden around the bar and after an hour or so moved on to the campsite next door. A small dog belonging to the campsite owners tried to scare one elephant away from the garden, yapping at it and trying to bite its ankle until the elephant nearly charged through the whole bar!

The monkeys were also particularly cheeky here, watching as we set up food and waiting until someone turned their back before leaping down and grabbing things.

From here we drove towards Livingstone, which was essentially a 3-day drive. By the time we arrived I was quite glad my last days on the truck were now behind me.

Livingstone is home to the Victoria Falls and is set up for tourists. The town itself isn’t much but everything is centred around the many campsites and hotels that line the Zambezi. On our first morning here I went on a microflight over the falls which was truly terrifying. It was quite windy and i ended up being in the last two to go up that morning - even the pilot said he wasn't happy flying in the conditions which did nothing for my confidence. After landing on solid ground I walked through the park where the water sprays on the Zambian side. The falls themselves are truly spectacular and just last week a hippo was seen flying over having been swept up in a gush of water while eating on a bank. Apparently in the dry season the falls don’t exist, which is hard to imagine when you’re being drenched by the spray at this time of year.

That evening we went on a sunset cruise along the Zambezi, with elephants, hippos and crocs providing free entertainment along the banks.

The next day was my last with the group and I had a fitting farewell - high tea at the Royal Livingstone hotel. The grounds of this establishment are stunning as it lies inside a national park. Throughout the afternoon we saw zebra and elephants, giraffes and hippos. The cake and tea selection was also amazing!

Leaving everyone to get my flight to Johannesburg was harder than I’d expected. After three months sharing some amazing experiences with people who were strangers to begin with and are now good friends, it will be strange travelling on my own. However, I am looking forward to getting home and the luxuries we take for granted – electricity, running water, beds …. 

Elephant trumpeting at a small yappy dog that tried to bite it. My money was on the elephant....

Zoe and i couldn't get into our tent (on the left) for awhile 

Our campsite was right above the river and animals would walk through at all hours

One of many monkeys playing around the bar

Hippo getting shouty at the croc (which didn't move an inch)

Victoria Falls

This shot does not portray how windy it was .... i was bloody scared!