Zambian Disneyland

Zambian Disneyland

“Livingstone is like Disneyland except everything costs ten times more” Eloise remarked as we shelled out another $150 for a 15 minute helicopter ride over Victoria Falls. She’s right. According to the guide book Livingstone is “the adventure capital of southern Africa”, an adrenaline junkies dream! You can do anything here—the crazier the better---from whitewater rafting, bungee jumping, walking with lions, kayaking, elephant safaris, swimming in the Devil’s Pond…and between the four of us we pretty much did it all!

Livingstone is named after the intrepid explorer David Livingstone who in 1855 was the first white man to lay eyes on Mosi-oa-Tunya (the smoke that thunders), which he renamed in honor of Queen Victoria. Livingstone served as the capital of Zambia or Northern Rhodesia as it was known until the1930s. It is a quaint little town with many colonial buildings, a railroad and historical museum, a selection of good restaurants, and a variety of places to stay that suit all budgets. Our favorite restaurant was the Laughing Dragon. After spending so much money each day it felt good to save a little. The four of us could eat four entrée’s, two starters, and several bottles of Coca-Cola Lite for under $12.

Each morning we got up early to begin the day’s adventure. One of the highlights for me was our day trip into Botswana to spend the day in Chobe National Park. We had signed up for a river cruise and driving safari. Chobe is known for its large elephant population. Many of the elephants fled the wars in Angola and crossed into Botswana where they have thrived. Other elephants migrated from Zimbabwe and Zambia during the 1980’s and early 1990’s when poaching was quickly diminishing the herds. The organization Elephants Without Borders is trying to relocate many of them back to Angola. It seems that elephants are smart enough to detect mines and have proven to be very useful in this regard. The drive through the national park was terrific. We saw numerous hippos, elephants, water buffalo, zebras, giraffes, monkeys, and various antelope. Of the “Big 5” I have yet to see any of the cats. Lions do live in Chobe but are rather elusive.

We hiked along the edge of the falls and down into the Boiling Point to view the falls. It is difficult to describe Victoria Falls; everything has already been said. October is not the ideal time to come because it is the dry, hot season and the water is rather low. Regardless, they are majestic and frightening at the same time. Just two weeks ago someone slipped and fell over the edge to their death. Charlie and Eloise bungee jumped off the bridge into Batoka Gorge. It made me almost nauseous to watch but I caught it all on film including Eloise’s screams. Other bright spots of the week included the helicopter ride over the falls, our two hour “walk with the elephants”, and the swim in Devil’s Pool. This later activity involves jumping into a small pool located on the edge of the falls. You can hold on to the edge and look down into the abyss. Not for those afraid of heights!

After a long hot day we enjoyed sundowners at the Royal Livingstone Lodge. The perfect way to end each day in Livingstone.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rVN9KnWy-H8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xkV2J3Ri23U&NR=1&feature=fvwp