Botswana

Botswana is a beautiful nation and an exemplar of Africa's potential. The government is transparent and provides for its people. The country is rich with natural resources and human capital. A devastating rate of HIV/AIDS, however, plagues Botswana, a sad fact that my mother saw up close and personal during her work there.

Before visiting Botswana, I highly recommend The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series as your primer. Alexander McCall Smith highlights the warm nature of Botswana's people and the country's effusive culture.

Gabarone


Mom's flat

Mom's favorite little car


Priceless



Travel...Air Botswana style

After spending some time in Gabs, aka Gabarone, we made our way up to the north of the country, specifically Kasane near the glorious Okavango Delta on the Chobe river. The Chobe river region is particularly beautiful and an ideal setting for safari. One trademark of the area is that it is home to the world's only swimming cats. That is, the tribes of lions in the Okavango Delta swim freely and by choice in the Chobe river. Although, we didn't see the swimming lions because we were there during the dry season.

Our accomodations in Chobe were also wonderful. We stayed at the Garden Lodge on the Chobe River, which is run by two expats. Continuing a theme of our trip to Africa, the hospitality was unsurpassed.

Safari

Nothing bigger than the African sky

Elephants


Scary mama elephant







Me and mama




Antelope




Kudu




Baboons




Warthogs..but not as cute and friendly as this warthog



Water buffalo

In addition to game drives, we were also able to do river cruises. Seeing Africa from both land and water was an incredible experience.

Cruisin'

Elephants along the river

Up close and personal with a lazy croc

Hippos are actually one of the most dangerous animals in Africa...make sure you do a motorized boat cruise in case you need a quick getaway.

Being on a boats gives you exclusive access









Can't beat that African sunset!

Complete Africa pics...

Zimbabwe

From Botswana we did a day trip to Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. It was an enlightening experience to say the least. Botswana and Zimbabwe share a similar history dating beyond the colonial era of Rhodesia, but from the moment of Independence the two nations took utterly divergent paths.

Instead of enjoying the democracy and prosperity of Botswana, the people of Zimbabwe must endure the cruel dictatorship of Mugabe. Recent political developments, however, (a power-sharing agreement with Tsavangirai) are cause for cautious optimism. I can only hope for the best for Zimbabwe, that it too can follow the path of its successful neighbor, Botswana.

After a tense crossing through the Zimbabwean border, we saw the town of Victoria Falls. Entire neighborhoods had been razed by Mugabe with trash and rubble left where homes once stood. Meanwhile the people of Zimbabwe carry on, selling everything you could imagine on the black market, particularly gasoline and cooking oil from Botswana. We actually had the chance to shop in a outdoor market for some souvenirs, and my brother's Nikes were more valuable than our dollars. John actually bartered the clothes off his back for some beautiful artisan crafts. So finally, before I get off my soapbox, I recommend that you read When a Crocodile Eats the Sun, an excellent memoir of past and modern Zimbabwe.

The main purpose of our foray into Zimbabwe was to see the Victoria Falls and they were truly incredible. I am optimistic that one day, when Zimbabweans are given the chance, they will open their doors to the world and make Victoria Falls the tourist destination it has the potential to be. With a little bit of infrastructure and a lot of democracy and human rights, Zimbabwe can make itself into the African destination.

Victoria Falls















A gorgeous (and very, very old Baobob tree)

South Africa

I absolutely 100% fell in love with South Africa. During my family's trip to Africa, we were based in Gabarone, the capital of Botswana, where my mom was working. We actually only did a safari in South Africa, in the Madikwe game reserve. Our trip was in August, an ideal time to do a safari in southern Africa. It's the dry season, so the animals spend more time gathering at watering holes, thus greatly increasing your odds of seeing more species. Additionally, there are less snakes during the dry season, and after talking to locals, I am terrified of the black mamba!


We stayed at the Tau game lodge in Madikwe and it was a fantasy. The lodge is set up with private bungalows abutting one of the reserve's watering holes, so the animals literally come up to your doorstep! Yes, I had to share a romantic cabana with my brother, but we still had fun.





Our game drives in Madikwe were amazing. We managed to see the Big Five! A highlight of what we saw is below.

Elephants

Birds

Giraffes

Zebra

Rhinos

Lions

Doing the safari by jeep as opposed to on foot was ideal. We were able to get much closer to the animals and also make a quick getaway if need by (ie- from angry mama elephants or rhinos). Our guide was very knowledgeable and did an incredible job tracking the animals.

The meals at Tau were also great. We enjoyed delicious and traditional African cooking, both in the lodge and out in the bush. During our evening game drives, Tau also provided 'happy hour' in the bush.

More Africa pics here