Day 19 27 April Victoria Falls

Not the best of nights and we were both up before 5.00 am. Got ourselves ready for the early morning game drive. About 5.45 we were collected by torch-bearing staff and taken to the main building for a coffee before we boarded our safari vehicles. Quite cold.

Since the lodge is in a game reserve, we meandered from the river to the flatter country in the interior. Baobabs and elephant-smashed msasas. Saw plenty of game starting with impala but also kudu, warthog, elephants and zebra. Stopped on the river bank for a bush coffee, a great safari tradition that I always enjoy.

Back at the Old Drift Lodge we had a late breakfast followed by a leisurely morning. Swam and read but were interrupted by a herd of 7 elephants very close to our tent.

Made our way the 500 ms to reception by 1.30 pm and when everyone had arrived the whole group, in 2 vehicles, was taken to the Lookout Cafe for a late lunch. Views of the gorge and a huge volume of water passing through it.

Moved from the Lookout Cafe mid-afternoon for a visit to the Falls. Issued with ponchos as we arrived and we needed them. Can't remember ever seeing so much water and the spray was soaking. Views from the various viewpoints was limiting.

Devils Cataract, Livingstone's statue and then drenching mist. Few photos. Danger Point and Boiling Pot impossible to see and the rocks were wet. However, it was still great to be back at a majestic sight and our fellow travellers absolutely loved it. On to the bridge view before walking a drier path bach to the exit.

Showed everyone around the iconic Victoria Falls Hotel and then went on to the Big Tree (baobab) before heading back to the Old Drift Lodge in the dusk. Driven to our tent by one of the drivers.

By 7.30 we had been collected by a torch-bearer and walked the 700 ms to a Boma Dinner with all the hotel guests in attendance. Good food - had warthog., boerewors, sudza plus. The staff did a singsong and we all joined in.

On the way back to a tent we saw a browsing hippo in the torchlight and discovered it had made an unintended hole in our board walk before we had arrived.

Bed by 10.00, downstairs this time. It had been a good day.Read more