http://www.travelblog.org/Africa/Zimbabwe/ Travel adventures in journals and photos from Africa , Zimbabwe en-us Thu, 03 Dec 09 16:00:44 +0000 Thu, 03 Dec 09 16:00:44 +0000 Hello againSorry about that last message I had typed the entire thing and when I went to publish the entry the internet messed up and I assumed the blog entry was lost. I guess this website saved it automatically so therefore there will be two updates entered todayThe last two days here at Antelope park have been wickedWe started yesterday morning bright and early with the elephant training http://www.travelblog.org/Africa/Zimbabwe/Gweru/blog-457652.html The bus journey from Windhoek to Livingstone was one of the smoothest most sanitised most organised journeys we had taken in Africa and we hated it. Carrying 90 per cent tourists running to an actual schedule making toilet breaks that werenrsquot just pit stops by the side of a field it was a highly efficient affair. Gap year backpackers chatted and flirted and swapped travel stories as http://www.travelblog.org/Africa/Zimbabwe/Bulawayo/blog-449943.html Crossing into Zimbabwe has been no easy task After being stamped out of Mozambique we moved forward to enter Zimbabwe visas are USD30 for everybody except the British nice one Tony USD55 lighter each we attempt to pass through immigration no problem. Until they send us back into No Mans Land. We have to cross awith our truck but then nobody has the right bit of paper to issue the truck to http://www.travelblog.org/Africa/Zimbabwe/Harare/blog-449477.html What a Rush That sums up Victoria Falls Zimbabwe. Victoria Falls are the largest waterfalls in the world and one of the natural wonders of the world. The last 2.5 days has been spent viewing the rush of the falls and experiencing the rush of adrenaline from whitewater rafting and bungi jumping.We arrived on October 16 in Victoria Falls a small town just on the border of Zimbabwe and Zambia. Sa http://www.travelblog.org/Africa/Zimbabwe/Victoria-Falls/blog-448870.html coming soon http://www.travelblog.org/Africa/Zimbabwe/Victoria-Falls/blog-447191.html Okay don't die of shock everyone....here are a few photos to start off with.First off......Victoria Falls Zimbabwe where the tour started.Enjoy http://www.travelblog.org/Africa/Zimbabwe/Victoria-Falls/blog-446052.html When seasonal rains that fall in the Angolan highlands make their way into neighbouring Botswana the Okavango Delta floods over 18000 square kilometres of grassland creating islands and lagoons inhabited by all wildlife you'd expect in Africa. On previous trips to Africa we've spent time on safaris in Tanzania and Namibia but nearly all of that time was spent within the confines of a safari veh http://www.travelblog.org/Africa/Zimbabwe/Victoria-Falls/blog-443163.html Well it was with heavy hearts that we said goodbye to the babies and our friends in Kampala a few weeks ago. We had the best time and are all talking about the date for our return trip. Our time at the babies home was amazing we instantly fell in love with all the babies there and with the kids at Peace for Children Africa formerly Voice of Hope. Our time with the babies and kids had a profound http://www.travelblog.org/Africa/Zimbabwe/Victoria-Falls/blog-442033.html Hey everyoneJust thought I'd quickly get on and let you know that I've arrived safe and sound in Vic Falls Zimbabwe. It took a mammoth amount of flying to get here but wow it's all so worth it now that I'm here I met up with my Jac Kath and Kate in Johannesburg late on Sunday they'd flown in for Uganda earlier in the morning and were waiting for me out on the lawn with a glass of wine to hel http://www.travelblog.org/Africa/Zimbabwe/Victoria-Falls/blog-438794.html I left Zimbabwe today. I got up early and had my final breakfast watching birds flying over the national park and animals drinking at the waterhole. I lugged my rucksack up to reception and then sat with Rone waiting for our transfer. We both agreed that it has been a blissfully relaxing trip but far too short The coach arrived to take us to the airport. I had a surprise as I stepped off the coac http://www.travelblog.org/Africa/Zimbabwe/Victoria-Falls/blog-437389.html I had a horribly early start this morning however an elephant back safari is definitely an experience worth getting out of bed at 5.30am for. I collected my packed breakfast from reception and clambered into the mini bus. I munched on rolls cheese and fresh scones as we drove to Victoria Falls Hotel to pick up the rest of the group. It turned out I was the only individual in the group. The other http://www.travelblog.org/Africa/Zimbabwe/Victoria-Falls/blog-436212.html Today was my first full day in Zimbabwe. I woke up early and went to the restaurant in search of breakfast. I found the most amazing buffet waiting for me bread rolls croissants cakes scones jams butters whole fruit sliced fruit fruit kebabs cereals cheeses cold meats yogurt fruit salad fresh juices tea coffee and a menu offering cooked breakfasts I got chatting to some American http://www.travelblog.org/Africa/Zimbabwe/Victoria-Falls/blog-435697.html After only a brief stay in Johannesburg I travelled back to the airport to fly to Zimbabwe I was very glad to leave Johannesburg. I woke up this morning freezing cold and when I looked out the window I found it was pouring with rain. I got to the airport early had a brunch in the cafe and perused the gift shop before settling into the departure lounge with a book. I was amused to see a giant m http://www.travelblog.org/Africa/Zimbabwe/Victoria-Falls/blog-435696.html Great Zimbabwe Ruins is the site that gave its name to the country postindependence. These are ruins of stone walls which marked the houses and enclosures of a major settlement. Originally thought to have been European in origin the architecture is now confirmed as African from about 1150 AD. There are links through to the Indian ocean islands and the trade in gold and spices. This remarkable http://www.travelblog.org/Africa/Zimbabwe/blog-435650.html Day 24 Victoria Falls Zimbabwe 22809Woke up relatively early to go white water rafting. The transfer to the falls came at 0745. We finally arrived filling in waivers so in the case of our death our relatives could not sue the company. We went though all the different rapids they all had names to put the fear of god in you The Devil's Toilet Bowl and The Gnashing Jaws of Death just to n http://www.travelblog.org/Africa/Zimbabwe/Victoria-Falls/blog-431675.html Hyena is alive with excitement at the thought of entering our next country about which weve all heard so much but know little of what to expect. Unfortunately wersquore only entering Zimbabwe briefly for a few days cruising on Lake Kariba but as wersquore the first Absolute Africa truck to enter for 18 months we feel a bit adventurous.We enter Zimbabwe avoiding the hawkers on the Zambia http://www.travelblog.org/Africa/Zimbabwe/Lake-Kariba/blog-429440.html Hi Again EverybodyHere is part two of our safari Zimbabwe. We crossed over from Botswana after our Chobe Park adventures. After arriving and setting up camp we had a sunset cruise on the Zambezi River above Victoria Falls. It's a massive river with Zimbabwe on one side and Zambia on the other. It was great so relaxing. It was our driverguide David's birthday so it kind of turned into a http://www.travelblog.org/Africa/Zimbabwe/Victoria-Falls/blog-427270.html Day 46 Antelope Park Great Zim Ruins 23.7.09Today we left Antelope Park much to everyonersquos disappointment to a chorus of ldquoGoodbye from Antelope Parkrdquo from the kitchen staff campsite African band they then followed it up which an ad lib rendition of ldquoOasiiiiis need more firerdquo which made everybody on our truck laugh. We made our way to the Great Zim ruins to http://www.travelblog.org/Africa/Zimbabwe/blog-424978.html We arrived at Victoria Falls around lunch time on the 26th. The campsite that we stayed at was called The Rest Camp. It was where all the old people stay. There was another campsite down the road called Shoestrings that was a load of fun. But Oasis is not allowed to stay there because it can get to rowdy. This was the last day of the trip for some of the passengers so we had to do a truck c http://www.travelblog.org/Africa/Zimbabwe/Victoria-Falls/blog-424950.html From Harare we went to Gweru again another small town that was clean and no one bothered you. They had this great pizza place called Pizza Inn which is located all over Zimbabwe yum It is one of my favorite pizza places now I had to shop for cook shop again it was my groups turn to cook. This was a challenging experience because Zimbabwe is still trying to recover for it dow http://www.travelblog.org/Africa/Zimbabwe/Gweru/blog-424941.html