Four Corners of Africa

It may not look like much, but this is a photo of the Four Corners of Africa -- the only place in the world that four countries come together in one place.  Botswana, Namibia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe meet here at the confluence of the Zambezi and Chobe rivers.  We crossed over from Zambia to Botswana by ferry on our way to Chobe National Park.

The Four Corners of Africa at Kazungula

Bad Monkey

Sara and I were sitting in the shade near our tent enjoying some fruit for a snack when Sara said, “hey, does that monkey have my apple?!?”  Sure enough, a very naughty monkey was scrambling up a nearby tree holding her apple in his mouth.  I ran over to the tent where we had left the door open.  Our grocery bag was sitting near the door, one apple lighter than before.

A bad monkey eating Sara's apple, which he stole from our tent in Livingstone

Home away from home

This tent will be our home for the next three weeks.  Our first night in the tent was really chilly, so we bought some Zambian wool blankets to help keep us warm as we head south to even colder weather.

Our tent for three weeks of camping in southern Africa

We “Heart” Victoria Falls

We "heart" Victoria Falls

Victoria Falls

Looking at Victoria Falls from Zimbabwe

We spent two days exploring Victoria Falls.  The falls are huge (over a mile wide), and straddle the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Sara at the edge of Victoria Falls

You can see the falls from both countries and from a lot of different angles.  Most of the falls are in Zambia, but most of the cliffs across from the falls are in Zimbabwe.  From Zimbabwe you can see about 70% of the falls and from Zambia only about 30%.  But Zambia has the advantage that you can see the falls from the top at Livingstone Island.  Walking across the border was a slow and expensive process, but we were glad that we took the time to see the falls from both sides.  They really are a wonder of the world.

A rainbow in the mist at Victoria Falls

As a bonus, we stopped on our way across the bridge over the Zambezi River to watch bungee jumping.  David was glad that he got his jump out of the way in New Zealand because the rope broke during a jump off of the bridge only six months ago!

Once we crossed over the border we were greeted by a family of warthogs.  Welcome to Zimbabwe!

David and a family of warthogs

This is a really cool place.

Livingstone Island

Our first morning in Zambia was quite a treat!  We were picked up from our hostel and taken to the Royal Livingstone Hotel.  Wow!  From the Royal Livingstone we caught a boat out to Livingstone Island, so named because it is the spot from which David Livingstone first saw Victoria Falls.

Boat out to Livingstone Island

It was fitting because Livingstone Island was also the spot where we saw Victoria Falls for the first time.  It was spectacular!  The island sits out in the middle of the Zambezi River at the edge of the falls.  We had no idea to what to expect, but we were greeted by our personal guide, Alpha Omega (yep, that was his name), who took us all around the top of the falls.  We could hardly believe how close we got to the edge of the falls. 

David and Sara at the top of Victoria Falls on Livingstone Island

Alpha O even helped us both peek over the edge.

Sara peeking over the edge with the help of our guide Alpha Omega

This is what we saw!

Looking over the edge of Victoria Falls from Livingstone Island

The morning was already perfect, but to cap it off we were taken to another part of Livingstone Island for an amazing brunch.  David got his first biscuit since leaving home.  Needless to say, he was thrilled!!

Eggs Benedict breakfast on Livingstone Island looking out over Victoria Falls

Continent Number 6!

We've made it to Africa -- the 6th continent for both of us!  We have a feeling it's going to be a good month.

Arriving in Livingstone, Zambia!