Vic Falls, Livingstone Island and the roads to Okawango Delta

First of all: Victoria fall is truly a wonder (It is commonly referred to as one of the seven natural wonders of the world), which can be highly recommended to everyone. Our stay in Livingstone has been a great experience with a combination of relaxing at the hostel and exploring the Victoria Falls National Park. On the first trip to the falls, we spend most of the days just walking around in the park and admiring the beauty and power of the 1.7 km long waterfall (see the photo folder on Vic falls). The trip to the fall did however include our first mugging, when a group of approx. 150 baboons surrounded us and the pack leader grabbed Carsten’s backpack and stole our cookies!!!

The next trip to the falls was arranged through a 5-star-resort and included a trip to the Livingstone Island, which is situated in the middle of the falls – right on the edge! This experience was really amazing; we had a 5-star breakfast right in the middle of one of the largest falls on the planet! The view was extremely beautiful with a rainbow made from the splashing water of the falls. On the island we also meet a friendly woman from Johannesburg, who invited us to come and stay with her the day before we fly to Sydney (in the beginning of March). Who would say no to free accommodation :-)?

Packed with great experiences, we left Zambia and headed back towards Botswana. The trip from Livingstone to Maun in Botswana is more than 700 km and with a border crossing and a ferry ride, it is not likely to be made in one day with the inefficient public transportation and bumpy roads. We decided to give it a go and optimistically we left our hostel at 6am and headed for the border. After yet another series of stamp in our passports, we arrived in Botswana just in time for the last bus going south for the day (at 8 am :-))! There is however no direct connection between the border and Maun and we would be forced to get off halfway in Nata and hitch the remaining 300 km. Three hour drive from the border there were one of the many, many police stops where everyone have to get out of the bus, show passports and wash shoes (in order to prevent Foot and Mouth Disease). Just as we were standing in line for the control and washing procedure, a huge truck pulled up beside us. It turned out to be a group of 12 overland travellers who were on a 4 month adventure through Africa and their next stop was MAUN! 2 smiling Scandinavians, and 5 minutes later, we had convinced them to take us along. The truck ride seemed like luxury compared to the minibuses and we arrived safely in Maun less than 11 hours after we set out from Livingstone!

We are now making the last preparations for the trip into the delta which begins tomorrow morning and will include three days of canoeing and hiking in the Okawango delta :-).