Week 8: 18 - 24 November 2006: Zimbabwe/Botswana/South Africa
Victoria falls was a great place.
The first full day we were there Craig went rafting on the Zambesi with all of the boys on the truck and a few of the girls. I got into a raft with the 6 lads, Dean, George, Dimi, Jerry, Graham and myself. I set the tone of the day by falling out even before we had hit the first 'practice' rapid. We were all about false bravado with phrases like "lets go hard"and "bring it on" being bandied about like a schoolyard cockfight, until we got chucked out and jostled through 'The Morning Glory'. I thought I might die. We were battered so much that Jerry ripped his shorts and spent the rest of the day with his third eye showing, I had had enough and it was only rapid no4 out of 26. The rapids were big and fast and powerful but we were getting the hang of it and thanks to Jerry's expert tutoring and by the end of the day we could outpaddle Ian Ferguson and I actually enjoyed the day. Mind you it must be said that Jerry struggled with the practical application of what he had taught us, he was our backup paddler and only if absolutely necessary to avoid certain death could he be called upon to actually paddle. The cable car lift out of the gorge was definately a bonus for us as its a 600 metre uphill hike if you rafted with the other company, not a pleasant prospect after a day of shattering extreme sports. Much beers were consumed on the 'bus' ride back to Zimbabwae and false bravado again reared its ugly head. While the rafting was going on the girls had 'high tea' at Victoria Falls hotel, a luxurious hotel with beautiful views of the bungy and the Zambesi - you could also see the spray from the Falls.
The next day we were up early to cross back over to Zambia (which borders Vic Falls) to go Gorge Swinging, it looked terrifying but out of our large group we were 2nd and 3rd respectively to jump! Better to get it over with than to sit and watch others throw themselves off a cliff. We did the first ones solo and forwards but then we did a tandem one backwards. On this one you fell so much faster!
We then went on a 30min helicopter ride over Victoria falls and through the gorge where the rafting took place. It was spectacular seeing it from the air.
At night we went to dinner by ourselves at the Vic Falls hotel and had one of the best meals and services we've ever had anywhere.
On the last day we finally went and saw Victoria Falls from the ground. we spent two hours there and even though it was the end of the dry season so the water was less it was still impressive and we got drenched by the spray.
We then left Zimbabwe and crossed into Botswana. we only spent one night there and did an afternoon game drive in Chobe National Park. This has to be one of our favourite parks, this might be slightly biased because of what we saw, but still the scenery is pretty good. There we saw the elusive Leopard and not just a distant sighting like we saw in the Serengeti, an up close one and on two different occasions. Now we had seen The Big Five. We also saw a Leopard Tortoise which is one of the Small Five. It was our final game drive and what a way to finish.
The next day we left the truck which was very sad because of the friends we had made and the knowledge they still had heaps more to see and do.
Another kiwi couple and us transferred to our own truck and then drove straight to South Africa and Johannesburg where we just spent one night before flying to Sydney.
This tour has to be one of the best we have ever done in terms of people, sights, organisation and once in a lifetime experiences. On tour we also had 7 birthdays (incl. three 30ths) and 2 engagements!!
The first full day we were there Craig went rafting on the Zambesi with all of the boys on the truck and a few of the girls. I got into a raft with the 6 lads, Dean, George, Dimi, Jerry, Graham and myself. I set the tone of the day by falling out even before we had hit the first 'practice' rapid. We were all about false bravado with phrases like "lets go hard"and "bring it on" being bandied about like a schoolyard cockfight, until we got chucked out and jostled through 'The Morning Glory'. I thought I might die. We were battered so much that Jerry ripped his shorts and spent the rest of the day with his third eye showing, I had had enough and it was only rapid no4 out of 26. The rapids were big and fast and powerful but we were getting the hang of it and thanks to Jerry's expert tutoring and by the end of the day we could outpaddle Ian Ferguson and I actually enjoyed the day. Mind you it must be said that Jerry struggled with the practical application of what he had taught us, he was our backup paddler and only if absolutely necessary to avoid certain death could he be called upon to actually paddle. The cable car lift out of the gorge was definately a bonus for us as its a 600 metre uphill hike if you rafted with the other company, not a pleasant prospect after a day of shattering extreme sports. Much beers were consumed on the 'bus' ride back to Zimbabwae and false bravado again reared its ugly head. While the rafting was going on the girls had 'high tea' at Victoria Falls hotel, a luxurious hotel with beautiful views of the bungy and the Zambesi - you could also see the spray from the Falls.
The next day we were up early to cross back over to Zambia (which borders Vic Falls) to go Gorge Swinging, it looked terrifying but out of our large group we were 2nd and 3rd respectively to jump! Better to get it over with than to sit and watch others throw themselves off a cliff. We did the first ones solo and forwards but then we did a tandem one backwards. On this one you fell so much faster!
We then went on a 30min helicopter ride over Victoria falls and through the gorge where the rafting took place. It was spectacular seeing it from the air.
At night we went to dinner by ourselves at the Vic Falls hotel and had one of the best meals and services we've ever had anywhere.
On the last day we finally went and saw Victoria Falls from the ground. we spent two hours there and even though it was the end of the dry season so the water was less it was still impressive and we got drenched by the spray.
We then left Zimbabwe and crossed into Botswana. we only spent one night there and did an afternoon game drive in Chobe National Park. This has to be one of our favourite parks, this might be slightly biased because of what we saw, but still the scenery is pretty good. There we saw the elusive Leopard and not just a distant sighting like we saw in the Serengeti, an up close one and on two different occasions. Now we had seen The Big Five. We also saw a Leopard Tortoise which is one of the Small Five. It was our final game drive and what a way to finish.
The next day we left the truck which was very sad because of the friends we had made and the knowledge they still had heaps more to see and do.
Another kiwi couple and us transferred to our own truck and then drove straight to South Africa and Johannesburg where we just spent one night before flying to Sydney.
This tour has to be one of the best we have ever done in terms of people, sights, organisation and once in a lifetime experiences. On tour we also had 7 birthdays (incl. three 30ths) and 2 engagements!!
posted by Craig & Suz at 2:24 AM
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