Livingstone & Victoria Falls, Zambia

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  Livingstone, Livingstone, Zambia
Wednesday, April 30, 2008

April 29-30.  Awaking to head to Zambia early Tuesday, I headed out solo for the Botswanian border to a crossing called Kazangula.  It was noted in a tour guide book that at Kazungula one could take a free ferry across the river to Zambia, with hopeful onward travel to Livingstone to view the great Victoria Falls.  Still amazed at the lion spotting from yesterday, I was fully intent on a new adventure and thus figured a border crossing involving a ferry would be a good way to start the day.  Mario opted for a quick puddle jumper flight from Kasane to Livingstone, and we ended up meeting late in the afternoon in Livingstone.

This ferry, if in fact it can be called as such, had seen better days.  The thing was powered by two outboard 150 HP motors, and the deck itself was made of wood.  Rotting wood to be exact.  Trucks had lined up for kilometers to get across the river by ferry, as the traditional road via Zimbabwe was no longer preferred due to the political crisis with Mugabe at the helm

Botswana border

.  Zimbabwe, I am told, is in real trouble.  Mugabe has continued to exert his stranglehold on the presidency, although I am not sure just what he will bring under his leadership.  Once the most prosperous nation in the world, it is now without an economy and political framework (unless you consider a ruthless dictatorship an appropriate framework). 

Anyways, back to the ferry.  Passing thru immigration by 8:30 am, I was fully ready for my exotic cruise across to neighboring Zambia.  As the ferry pulled up to the shorebank, one 18-wheeler, 1 bus and 1 truck lorry were able to board.  I looked back at the kilometers of trucks in line for the ferry wondering just how long they would have to wait their turn.  The answer - 5-6 days.  Nightmare.  Happy that I walked on foot from the border rather than passed with car, myself and about 50 others (Botswanians and Zambians) got on the floating device (would rather not call it a ferry) and crossed to Zambia.  From there, immigration once again of which there was no hassle, and a shared taxi from the border to a small hotel in Livingstone.

Victoria Falls.  Absolutely stunning.  I think one of my previous journal entries talked about the Okavanga Delta and how indescribable it was.  Well, round 2 my friends.  Victoria Falls was gushing, with 191 million liters going over the falls every minute

Bridge over falls

.  The deafening roar of the water coupled with the supposed 'mist' that came over you as you walked the paths was just awesome.  I was fully drenched after a 5 minute walk across Knife's Edge, a bridge the crosses a raving right in front of the Rainbow Falls.  I have never seen a rainbow like this - it literally went about 270 degrees around the bridge itself.  Wow - truly a memorable experience.

Mario was scheduled to depart early afternoon on April 30.  As he heads back to Croatia, I decided to leave Livingstone and move onward to Lusaka, capital of Zambia.  Both waking early, we decided to head out for microlite - flying with a handglider powered by the equivalent of a lawn mower engine.  We both took a 15 minute aerial flight over the falls in Zimbabwe and back again.  Again, amazing views definitely worth visiting at least once in your lifetime.  From the microlite, we grabbed our stuff and I headed to the bus station (aka kiosk) to buy my ticket to Lusaka.  Mario and I parted ways, and his adventure is now over.  Mine - just beginning.  Keep tuned.

Post your own travel photos for friends and family More Pictures

Bridge to S Africa	Falls 1	Falls 2	Falls 3
Falls 5	Ferry to Zambia	Ferry to Zambia 2	Knifes Edge
Kyle and Drummer	Lower Zambezi River	Mario and microlite flight	Microlite
Rainbow at Falls	Sunbathing at the falls	Taxi slogan

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