African Safari Part II - Chobe National Park, Botswana

From Victoria Falls, we hopped in a van to drive to the Zimbabwe/Botswana border, which was only about an hour away. Crossing into Botswana, we immediately noticed the improvement in infrastructure and that there seemed to be more going on. There were more people out working, driving or exercising and people seemed happier and friendlier than they had in Zimbabwe. This was most obvious when we arrived at our lodge. The staff greeted us with a shrill wavering sound called ululation (see/hear example here), which is used as a greeting and celebration noise. Throughout our stay, we tried to emulate the women and they tried to teach us, which usually ended in lots of laughter. The staff were cheerful, friendly and welcoming and genuinely excited to get to know us during our stay. The lodge was beautiful, situated on the bank of the Chobe River. Each couple had their own little river house and we shared a communal dining and lounge area with the other guests. The pool area was popular with lots of areas to relax between safaris, and there was even a swim cage in the river so if you wanted to go for a dip with the crocodiles, that was an option too!

Bakwena Eco Lodge near Chobe National Park

Rafting the Zambezi River in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe

After our stay in Johannesburg South Africa, it was time for something completely different. We flew to Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe (or was it Zambia?), where we immediately noticed the difference between the two countries. Getting through immigration was a nightmare as everyone had to fill out their immigration cards once they got off the plane, then wait in a long line for their visa which was filled out by hand. After making it through customs, we collected our luggage, another disorganized ordeal. Zimbabwe (formerly Rhodesia) is a very poor country with significant government and economic issues throughout its turbulent past and up to present day. Their currency has undergone crisis after crisis with hyperinflation and multiple re-denominations in the 2000's. The eventual demonetization of the currency in 2015 in favour of the American Dollar occurred after it become one of the lowest valued currencies in the world where a 100 trillion dollar note was worth about 40 US cents!

Rural Zimbabwe

African Safari Part I - Chisomo Game Reserve, South Africa

Chisomo Safari Camp was our first safari destination. Located in the Limpopo Province of South Africa near the Drakenburg Mountains, Chisomo is a camp located within the Karongwe Private Game Reserve. 

Drakenburg mountains

South Africa - Cape Town and Johannesburg

To celebrate an number of special occasions, John and Connie organized an amazing trip for the family to Southern Africa this fall. An African Safari was always something I thought I would want to do, but didn't think it would happen anytime soon. As a result, I showed up with no expectations and was totally blown away by the people, cultures, and African animals that we were luck enough to encounter on our whirlwind trip. Here is the first installment of a trip of a lifetime (split into 4 so I can share more photos!) I cannot thank the Milino's enough for the amazing experience of traveling through Africa together.

Excited for the 26 hours of travel ahead!