Chobe Botswana

Then off to Chobe, Botswana! Our driver took us to the border where we passed through Zimbabwe’s immigration and then he transferred us to a separate driver to cross into Botswana. Confusing but we’ve learned to ask no questions.

The drive was only a little over an hour. We stayed at the Chobe Bush Lodge, part of the veteran resort, Chobe Safari Lodge. It’s only a year old and we loved it. It’s adjacent to the older building, more modern and has a separate pool and a la carte restaurant vs. the buffet style at the Safari Lodge. Much quieter, too.

Our first day we did the sunset boat cruise on the Chobe River. Much fun, despite loud German children. The vistas were beautiful and we got up close to bathing elephants and countless hippos and crocodiles. And had yet another unforgettable sunset.

After a good night’s sleep it was up at 5 a.m. for a morning game drive in Chobe National Park. Surprisingly no elephants but the highlight of the morning was watching a female lion devour a buffalo! Amazing!

Chobe Bush Lodge

Also loved seeing baby monkeys and African Fish Eagles.

Six-Hour Day/Night Drive

We booked a game drive in the Stanley & Livingstone Private Game Reserve. What we did not know was that it would be a six-hour event! It was an amazing experience, especially having sunset sundowners with unexpected guests – a herd of elephants.

We saw more zebras, giraffes, buffalo and the elusive black rhino. After a few hours we enjoyed a wonderful Bush Dinner with our other safari guests and ranger – great meats, chicken, soup and cocktails next to a roaring fire, which was a godsend since we were in shorts. Then we traveled with our guide through the park at night looking for glowing eyes in the dark. It was a little scary but also thrilling.

Victoria Falls

Ponchos are necessary at times.

Vic Falls from the helicopter

After finishing our Rovos Rail journey, we arrived at Victoria Falls and stayed at the Victoria Falls Safari Club.

The Safari Club

A beautiful property and the new "Club" is an addition to the 20-year-old Lodge offering a slightly more upscale experience.

We spent the first day relaxing poolside as being on the go for 10 days took its tool. Day Two was spent at Victoria Falls Park. First up was a thrilling helicopter ride above the Falls, courtesy of Paul's parents who gave us the ride for Christmas. It really is the only way to appreciate the enormity of the Falls.

After back on terra firma, we explored the park through its winding trails of rain forests and amazing spots to view the Falls. WOW!

That night we enjoyed a true African experience at The Boma Restaurant.

Such a fun ride!

Nightly Sundowners

Necessary mosquito netting

Our Bush Hike Guide

Day Three was wild! The morning was a sunrise 4-mile Bush Hike with a guide complete with rifle for protection. Later that day we did a six-hour afternoon/night game ride. Photos and details on that tomorrow.

In the meantime below is a video of the Falls.

Rovos Rail

30 cars for 66 passengers...just about right

Dining Car #1 of 2. 

Find the Cheeta

Returning to the train after a game drive

Steam engine at Rovos Rail

Had an amazing time on Rovos Rail - everything I imagined and more. We arrived at its private train station in Pretoria where we greeted with glasses of Champagne - one of many Champagne toasts for the trip.

Flowers for last night on train

Four days of unparalleled service with four-course meals for lunch and dinner with each course having a paired wine. South Africa's wine is the best I've had and its diverse varietals means never getting tired of the same wines. Our suite was huge and our hostess - Busi - was so nice.

The scenery was stunning and we met so many new friends from South Africa, Australia, U.K., U.S., and Turkey. Guests were mostly in their 40s-70s and cocktails with gay couples from the U.K. became a nightly tradition.

We did a game drive at Hwange and saw cheetah, elephants, giraffes, zebras, baboons, water buffalo, springboek, kudu and beautiful birds including the flying banana.

Bad monkey stole Paul's rolls.

Our view in Vic Falls

Arrived Sunday morning in Victoria Falls and enjoying some R&R at the Victoria Falls Safari Club.

Meerkats! Meerkats! Meerkats!

Yes we finally checked off an item we had talked about for 10 years - seeing meerkats in the wild. Got up at 6 a.m. in cold weather but so worth it. Our guide was so nice and informative - we learned so much. For example, we learned that meerkats eat mostly bugs because they are always on the run and must eat quickly; otherwise they will eat for too long and their family will leave them behind, making them a possible target for predators.

Also learned they do not go out in the rain as it will wash away their scent. Meerkats only recognize each other by scent so even if they have lived with a sister for 6 years if they return to the burrow smelling different, their family will kill them. And if a girl meerkat hooks up, she must leave with him or they will kill her. Ruthless creatures. 

Our guide positioned us in chairs with our backs to the sun as the meerkats face the sun the warm their bellies to help with their digestive system. We observed them for 2 hours. Amazing!

Sunrise waiting for meerkats

The sentry

The entire family

Table Mountain

Us and meerkats

Fun drive to Oudtshoorn - and Paul drove on the left (correct) side of the road

More photos of penguins at Boulders Beach. We learned that it all started with two breeding pairs in 1982 and now there are 2,200 penguins here. 

Slept in later than we wanted but body was telling us that it needed to catch up on sleep after a fun day in Cape Town and awesome dinner at Graeme and Rob's house.

Paul drove on left (correct) side of the road, which was not easy in downtown traffic but we survived. Gorgeous drive to Oudtshoorn - we felt like we were in Arizona or Utah and spellbound by the mountains. Stopped outside of Robertson at a winery with beautiful views, great inexpensive local wine and the best burger of our lives - huge local beef with caramelized pears and a slice of bleu cheese.


Got to De Zeekow Farm and Inn. Amazing meal of ostrich filets that were ... well ... running around yesterday on the property. Tomorrow is an early morning for meerkat safari. We have been obsessed since Meerkat Manor!

Great Day in Cape Town

Arrived this morning in beautiful Cape Town. Graeme and Rob P. picked us up at the airport. Rob and Hank's house is gorgeous with beautiful gardens right near the City Center. Graeme and Rob W.'s house is nearby and equally beautiful.


We then hit the road and stopped at one of Western Cape's oldest wineries to see Dutch Cape architecture. Then off to Boulders Beach for a picnic (cheese, salami, pate, assorted fruit, quiche - yum) on Boulders Beach. The water was not as cold as we feared and we waded in a bit. Then we spent hours admiring the adorable penguins. They are hundreds at this park! So cute.

More pics tomorrow. 

Tomorrow we rent a Mercedes and drive to Oudtshoorn for meerkats!