Christmas in Africa

Week two was a lot of adventure, a little relaxation. I spent the week with Jonny and a new friend Gabi. I asked Jonny to plan the trip but told him I wanted to be surprised, not to tell me anything about the week. He keeps secrets pretty well.

We went camping in Livingstone (where Victoria Falls is, in Zambia) for two nights. While we were there we enjoyed the sights of the mist, for a while they had me convinced that it was the only part of the falls I would actually get to see. We arrived at the camp site on Sunday and I didn't actually get to the falls until Tuesday. BUT, that was the exciting part. They took me to swim in the Devils Pool. It's a spot off Livingstone Island where you can swim above the falls and "defy death." That was our Christmas Eve adventure. Swimming in the Devils Pool and visiting the falls. Oh, while I was there I also jumped off a cliff, they called it the gorge swing. Don't worry, I'm still alive but it was real scary.

The gorge swing. 

The mist part is Victoria Falls. 

Sunset behind Victoria Falls.  

They finally took me to see the falls. It was beautiful.

Pictures don't do it justice.

Devils pool

After seeing the falls we headed back out on the road. We were off to Botswana where we stayed at Senyati Safari Camp. It was close to Chobe National Park. The park is widely known for its spectacular elephant population: It contains an estimated 50,000 elephants, perhaps the highest elephant concentration of Africa, and part of the largest continuous surviving elephant population. Christmas morning we woke up and had a lovely breakfast cooked by Gabi. Jonny had brought us all stocking/Christmas hats to unwrap and they lit up. He's so thoughtful. 

Merry Christmas! 

River boat tour. Elephants on the horizon. 

The bachelor herd. They crossed the river right in front of us.

The day after Christmas we did our own safari through Chobe Park after a lovely sunrise. We were able to see a lot of impala and not much else. We went back at dusk and were able to follow around a family (at least that's what I am calling them) of giraffes. That was pretty cool. 

Botswana sunrise.

Lots of impala. I mean, tons.

Peaking through the trees to check us out.

We left the next day, had a pretty long day of traveling but the trip was certainly something I will remember for the rest of my life. So many fun adventures and to be able to explore in another country, not many people can say they have done that. Thanks to Weaver and Gabi for planning everything, in turn making it stress free for me. 

Check back soon, I'll have one last update on week 3.