A long journey and lost luggage.....

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Well after a long and tiring flight we (Tracey and I ) have made it to Vic Falls - Zimbabwe. Kath battling a terrible cold and Tracey minus her backpack!......

So we arrived in J'burg and spent the night at a hostel close to the airport as our flight to Vic Falls the next day was mid morning. Unfortunately Tracey's backpack did not arrive in J'burg so we spent an hour or so with the lost baggage people filling out paperwork. Luckily for Tracey she was well prepared for it and packed extra clothes in her daypack.

The next day we arrived at Vic Falls. We were expecting to be met by a driver to transfer us to our Vic Falls accommodation however no-one was there to meet us. After a phone call we managed to locate our driver and all was good in the world again...

We are staying at the Vic Falls Rest Camp which is right in the township of Vic Falls. We are staying in a very basic chalet room. From our room you can hear the sound of the falls. It is an awesome sound.

We spent our first day familiarising our with the town. We visited the famous Victorian Falls Hotel which is a 5 star hotel right next to the falls. On our way to the hotel we came across a family of warthogs on the side of the road grazing on green grass. They are rather cute. The view form the hotel is just amazing. We plan to go again one evening and have a drink and watch the sun go down. I have attached some photos of the hotel and the view.

Yesterday we visited the falls. The sound from the falls is very loud. The falls are at their peak in June so the water level of the falls currently is considered high. We walked around to the main falls where the spray from the falls left us completely soaked. You could not even see the falls at this point as it was just a white out.

This morning we got up at the crack of dawn to "walk with the lions". We were picked up at 6.30am in the morning where we were transferred to the lion park. We walked with 2 lions and there were about 5 guides with us. One with a gun ....just in case. The 2 lions we were walking with were 14 months old and were both bread in captivity and are part of a conservation program. In coming months they will be released further within the national park and will learn how to fend for themselves and hunt for food. It was amazing walking so close to the lions. We could pat them but we were told to keep behind them and never walk in front of them. We were given sticks as our only defence.

I have attached some photos.....enjoy...

Kath

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Photos

Warthog
Warthog on the side of the road on the way to Vic Falls Hotel.

Vic Falls Hotel
The view from the lawn overlooks the falls!

View from Vic Falls Hotel
See the spray of the falls!

Vic Falls
View of the main falls. The water level is high.

Vic Falls
Tracey and Kath at the falls

Patting a lion!
Kath patting a lion...

Lions
Young 10 month old lions.

Comments

[Noah]

What !
Kiki, that lion is bigger than you ! were you scared ? What did it feel like ? Didi its breath stink ? love Noah

[Jacqui]

Nice one!
Nice entry Kath! Hotel looks awesome...why aren't you staying there?? :-) The lions are so cute. Say hi to Trace for me, hope her backpack has finally arrived. xx

[Leonie]

Have an amazing time girls and say hi to Jacqui and Kate when you see them. Can't wait to keep hearing about your adventures. Love leonie

[Kathryns TIA blog]

For Noah.....
Hi Noah Yes the lions were big and I was rather apprehensive at first but then I felt safe with the lion guides with me. When I patted the lion it's fur was rather soft. Fortunately I did not get too close the lions jaws to determine if they had stinky breath. I am glad you are reading my travel blog and thanks for your comments...love auntie kiki xxx