Two weeks ago, when we left the farm and began our journey to Africa,
we knew it would be the adventure of a lifetime.
We were not disappointed.
Actually, we were clueless as to just how much of an adventure was awaiting us.
The travel was long... a nineteen hour flight to Lusaka, the capitol of Zambia...
followed by a five hour drive into the wilderness of Kafue National Park...
a park the size of Massachusetts in the heart of Zambia.
Zambia is a country without infrastructure once out of the city... so much of our drive
was on a one lane dusty, dirt road.
As our driver crept along the winding, rutty, dirt road,
I couldn't help but notice the battalion of tsetse flies accompanying our vehicle.
We were without air-conditioning and the air was stifling...
but the flies made opening the car windows out of the question.
By the time we reached camp, most of the flies had been left behind,
and the stragglers were quickly taken care of by a spray can of "Doom"...
harmless to humans, but doom to the flies.
We were greeted with smiles and cool damp cloths to wipe the dust and sweat away-
then quickly shown the camp that would be home for the next few days.
Our accommodations were basic and lovely.
Mosquito nets for bug-free sleeping.
Cool running well water in the bathroom and flush toilets were a luxury.
Showers were provided upon request...
the water being supplied in this bucket.
Our tent was one of four, overlooking a dry lagoon...
that was filled daily with antelope, waterbuck, elephants, impala, and birds of all kind...
and nightly with the addition of grazing hippos.
In addition to the four tents, there was an open air lodge
with outdoor seating for meals.
Our safaris at this camp were walking, driving, and by boat.
We had our own guide who accompanied us on all excursions and was a wealth of information.
A little lunch, a little rest, and our safari adventure began.
First sighting (in addition to the scores of wild game... antelopes and impala)...
elephants!
As we drove through bush, savannah, and woods, we encountered more
animals than we could have imagined!
Zebras...
Wild and wonderful!
Hartebeast...
Puku...
Baboons...
Monitor lizards...
The first day of our adventure was off to a great start.
The sun set, a fiery red ball...
and we had dinner by lamplight, then off to bed early.
Our next morning would start at 5:30.
Our brains were buzzing with all of the exciting sightings we had had,
but eventually we fell asleep to the sounds of Africa
(much different than what we had grown accustomed to on the farm!)
We were awakened in the middle of the night by the sounds of elephants on both sides
of our tents... munch, munch, munching...
loudly on the bushes growing just outside the canvas walls of the tent.
It was a little un-nerving and exciting all at the same time.
Somehow, we managed to get enough sleep so that we were ready for our next day's excitement.
I have so many photos and stories to share with you...
but for now, exhaustion has set in and I must get some sleep.
25 hours of flying and 3 hours of driving have left me spent.
Tomorrow is another day!
And by the way... it's good to be home!
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Mary