We had to leave the camp today at 7. The drive from Kapama Southern Camp to the airport (Kruger Mpumalonga International Airport was close to three hours. We got up at 5:30, ate some of the 1st breakfast left around, even though by the time we got there (about 6:15) most of the food had been eaten. We got our suitcases and eventually checked out. Our server Millie was hanging around to help. One of the Wilderness Adventure guys picked us up. The camp gave us more food!! Good grief. The drive might have been lovely, but it was very misty, verging on sprinkling most of the trip. We got to the airport and checked in for our flight to Livingston, Zambia. It said it was on time, which was nice, since we got there about 9:10 AM. A larger number of flights to Johannesburg were delayed. There were two sets of flights from this airport, domestic (Cape Town and Johannesburg) and international (to Zambia and Mozambique). There were two screening areas for both. I'll skip the boredom, but we ended up not leaving until 2. Simply put, our plane was coming from Johannesburg and literally 1.) couldn't get out of Johannesburg and 2.) couldn't see the ground to land. They apparently circled the airport for 45 minutes before landing. Eventually all was well. We climbed on and off we went.
From the plane, the Kruger Mpumalonga International Airport
We knew we'd have to pay a landing visa fee, but we were a bit confused. We landed in Zambia, but were going to see Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe. Aha! Basically it just meant, we paid in US dollars all over the place. Sigh. We drove from the airport in Zambia with one driver, then switched at the border - paid some more visa fees - and drove off the the Victoria Falls Safari Camp.
Below are some views of Livingston, Zambia
We'd seen the thorn trees in Kenya. They aren't in South Africa - but they're here.
We arrived at the lodge, got our room and I took a few photos from our balcony. There is a pond which the hotel keeps filled, and here is some local wildlife getting a drink.
The hotel has a free happy hour drink. We sat on the balcony and I took a few more shots around.
This thunderstorm cam back to get us later.
They asked where we wanted to eat dinner. We tried the bomba (outdoor eating buffet style). Generally, since we can't really eat enough to make it pay, it was a waste. However, the thunderstorm came and really began a thunder and lightning show - as well as drenching rain. When we finished dinner and headed back to the camp, and even bigger storm hit. We got dropped off at the Victoria Falls Safari Lodge (as opposed to Safari Camp) about 500 meters away. Getting back to the camp we got absolutely drenched. Our room had a bit of a flood. Wow. I think my shoes will dry out by Tuesday!
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