Still buoyed up from seeing so many elephants frolicking at the waterhole, we finally made our escape from Botswana yesterday into Zimbabwe, easy-peasy and quite quick. We have secured a double entry visa so that we can return to Zimbabwe from the other side of the country later to save the delays of numerous police stops driving all the way through. The road into Victoria Falls town, about 60 km from the border, was quiet most of the way, and in good condition. We were amazed to meet an extra wide load which took up the whole 2 carriageways: a Zambezi Riverboat on the move.
Victoria Falls was a pretty, neat town, but we went straight to the carpark for the Vic Falls National Park, situated almost at the Zambian border. We had a lovely walk along the edge and were pleasantly surprised that there was still a lot of water and much more spectacular than we had expected. There was a really good view of the Falls and it was cool walking through the rain-forest vegetation in the light spray. Back at the carpark, Chris met 3 policemen and approached them for a hat! They agreed to sell him one of theirs if we would give them a lift back into town. This delayed us somewhat, but Chris felt it was well worth the extra time. Returning to the Zambian border we were stopped by a police woman for having failed to indicate when leaving the carpark earlier. A $10 US fine was demanded, but Chris evaded this and we entered the border crossing. He is getting good at this. In Botswana we were given a speeding ticket, which we again failed to pay. The policeman had asked Chris for his occupation to put on the paperwork, and Chris's answer was "brain donor" which the policeman readily accepted.
It was late afternoon when we began the formalities for the Zambian border. There were so many pieces of paperwork: Temporary Import Permit, Carbon Tax, local taxes and insurance. It was very hot and took a long time and we incurred another small fine by stopping for a photograph from the Victoria Falls road bridge. We were eventually finished and into Zambia by 6pm and pleased that there was plenty of space at the Maramba River Camp which we had selected, just down the road. A cold beer beside the swimming pool was very welcome, with a red ball of sun setting over the river filled with water hyacinths. Chris saw an elephant close to our camping place, but we saw no hippos as the campsite signs warned. After a long tiring day we treated ourselves to a meal in the restaurant by candlelight.
Today we have viewed the Falls from the Zambian side at the Victoria Falls Heritage Park and gained a totally different perspective, crossing the footbridge and walking along the 'Knife Edge'. Yesterday we looked across the gorge and saw people bathing in a pool right on the edge of the Falls. There are so many activities on offer it is overwhelming. We are satisfied with what we have seen without the adrenalin rush of bungee jumping from the road bridge. We did go to view the steam train engines this afternoon out of interest. The possibility of making a balloon flight here would be good but there is so much air traffic with sight-seeing trips it wouldn't be practical.
Livingstone is a reasonably quiet town, but that may be because today is Independence Day. We are staying another night, having filled the empty cylinder of gas we used for the flight in the Makgadikgadi. We decided to move from the River camp due to loads of mosquitos and we are now at the quaintly named Jollyboys Guesthouse (mosquitoes here too!) We are away from the many tour groups and share this place with a couple from Austria, overlanding in their own vehicle.
Victoria Falls was a pretty, neat town, but we went straight to the carpark for the Vic Falls National Park, situated almost at the Zambian border. We had a lovely walk along the edge and were pleasantly surprised that there was still a lot of water and much more spectacular than we had expected. There was a really good view of the Falls and it was cool walking through the rain-forest vegetation in the light spray. Back at the carpark, Chris met 3 policemen and approached them for a hat! They agreed to sell him one of theirs if we would give them a lift back into town. This delayed us somewhat, but Chris felt it was well worth the extra time. Returning to the Zambian border we were stopped by a police woman for having failed to indicate when leaving the carpark earlier. A $10 US fine was demanded, but Chris evaded this and we entered the border crossing. He is getting good at this. In Botswana we were given a speeding ticket, which we again failed to pay. The policeman had asked Chris for his occupation to put on the paperwork, and Chris's answer was "brain donor" which the policeman readily accepted.
It was late afternoon when we began the formalities for the Zambian border. There were so many pieces of paperwork: Temporary Import Permit, Carbon Tax, local taxes and insurance. It was very hot and took a long time and we incurred another small fine by stopping for a photograph from the Victoria Falls road bridge. We were eventually finished and into Zambia by 6pm and pleased that there was plenty of space at the Maramba River Camp which we had selected, just down the road. A cold beer beside the swimming pool was very welcome, with a red ball of sun setting over the river filled with water hyacinths. Chris saw an elephant close to our camping place, but we saw no hippos as the campsite signs warned. After a long tiring day we treated ourselves to a meal in the restaurant by candlelight.
Today we have viewed the Falls from the Zambian side at the Victoria Falls Heritage Park and gained a totally different perspective, crossing the footbridge and walking along the 'Knife Edge'. Yesterday we looked across the gorge and saw people bathing in a pool right on the edge of the Falls. There are so many activities on offer it is overwhelming. We are satisfied with what we have seen without the adrenalin rush of bungee jumping from the road bridge. We did go to view the steam train engines this afternoon out of interest. The possibility of making a balloon flight here would be good but there is so much air traffic with sight-seeing trips it wouldn't be practical.
Livingstone is a reasonably quiet town, but that may be because today is Independence Day. We are staying another night, having filled the empty cylinder of gas we used for the flight in the Makgadikgadi. We decided to move from the River camp due to loads of mosquitos and we are now at the quaintly named Jollyboys Guesthouse (mosquitoes here too!) We are away from the many tour groups and share this place with a couple from Austria, overlanding in their own vehicle.
What with all the fines you shall be able to print the ticket book soon enough. Super glad to hear Chris managed to get another hat for his collection. Really enjoying reading up on your travels. Much love... Wesley.
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