Our first significant encounter was a wildebeest.
Then we met up with a herd of elephants. Paul wanted to get them to mock charge. So we went off road and into the herd. We met up with a large old momma with a very large tusk and either a new growing replacement tusk or a broken tusk. No matter what we did, except for a bit of posturing, she and they wanted nothing to do with us and so they kept retreating. Figuring we were just interrupting there foraging and peaceful existence, we drove away.
Then we headed for water to see some hippos. Can never get enough hippo.
It is interesting and funny now they hang out in the water, all resting their heads on one or two others.
Here we were joined by two other jeeps and we all have drinks and snacks and watched the hippos.
On our way back to camp, we saw other animals and birds.
Back at camp, we ate breakfast, packed and headed for the airport. Basal and Sindy were on the same plane with us going to the same hotel in Victoria Falls, but via a different travel agent. Same pilot and plane that got us to Kwara Lagoon. The ride was a bit rough, but felt smoother and safer than the turbulence you feel on a large jet. At times we dropped or swooped or got blown sideways by the wind. All very relaxing when compared to he bumps of the jeeps.
Fifty minutes later we landed in Kasane where our driver awaited us for the drive across the border into Zimbabwe. The visa cost us $75US each. We (Canadians) must have done something to piss them off.
Once across, a 45 minutes drive on a two lane highway to Victoria Falls. On either side of the highway you could see elephants, wart hogs and other animals. They often cross the road. This city which exists in the middle of the Victoria Falls National Park has a population of sixty thousand.
As we approached the hotel, three wart hogs were at the side of the road near or in a crosswalk. They cross after we passed by. Too funny!
In the past couple of weeks, they have had elephant problems, idiot kids teasing them, stoning them. There have also been two deaths here lately from pissed off elephants. Once again, we don't go out when it is dark. Wild animals visit the hotel grounds.
The Ilala hotel is quite nice, we had dinner, quite nice, I had a duck appetizer and a wart hog main. Quite nice.
Off to the room to catch up on the blogging and get some sleep. Tomorrow we visit the falls.
