Wednesday 31 October - Day around Mashatu - Part 1

We did a morning and afternoon safari drive. Great wildlife around here. Here are some pictures of a lioness we saw with 2 of her cubs. More about today in part 2 tomorrow. 

yawn

Tuesday 30 October - Bumi Hills -> Mashatu camp (Botswana)

Great morning for flying. No clouds in the sky and nice and sunny. We departed at 9 AM and set course to the south. A 2 hour flight to Bulowayo to clear customs & immigrations followed by an hour to the Mashatu camp. We thought it was great weather for flying, but it was very turbulent during the entire flight. The aircraft went up and down as much as 400 feet at times. After paying a hefty USD 230 to clear both aircraft out of Zimbabwe we continued to Botswana. The Mashatu camp is truly spectacular. The rooms are excellent and so is the food. We went for a late afternoon game drive and finally saw the big cats we were hoping to see. We saw leopard, lions, lionesses and lion cubs. There was a lot happening here in this park. We also had some free entertainment by a troop of baboons trying to chase a leopard away and a flock of guinea fowls (looks like a pheasant) trying to pass 2 lions laying on the sand sleeping. It was very amusing to see them run past the lions and we were wondering how they choose the first one to go from amongst the group of them. It was extremely funny to see. We were all in bed before 10 PM. the pilots especially were dead tired after a long 3 hour battle in the turbulent air. 

Nice pose :-)

Father asleep

Kids awake

Mother asleep

Monday 29 October - Day trip around Bumi Hills

After a late night we only finished breakfast at 9 AM and went for a fishing trip on the lake. This is our 2nd fishing trip of the holiday and we somehow got the hang of it. We caught a dozen fish and a few were sizeable enough for dinner. The smaller ones we threw back in the lake. On the banks of the lake we saw many grazing wildlife; zebra's, elephants, hippo's, impala's and many other species. We now were so used to see them already. We had a nice lunch on the veranda overlooking the lake followed by a swim in the pool. We went for a late afternoon drive again and saw again plenty of animals. This is truly a unique spot in Zimbabwe. The small resort is run by super friendly people and we thoroughly enjoyed our short stay. Tomorrow we leaving Zimbabwe and flying to Limpopo Valley and staying in another game park. Mashatu park is located in the south east corner of Botswana. http://www.mashatu.com/camps_main.htm

The big fish was for dinner

Hippo looking at us

Mother and baby

Hippos grazing behind us during sunset

Malinda pouring the last bottle of champagne we had with us

Full moon rising

Sunday 28 October - Happy birthday Malinda!

Malinda's birthday today! This is actually the reason for this flying safari. Malinda came up with the idea of spending her birthday flying around southern Africa. And Kim & Lynn liked the idea so much that they asked to come along. So here we are! After a short stroll along the waterfalls we went back to the airport and after more paperwork we were able to walk to our aircraft and departed for Bumi Hills. A short 2 hour flight along the shoreline of lake Kariba. Bumi Hills is a small resort located on top of a hill overlooking the lake. We watched a stunning sunset and had a great birthday dinner!

Preflight Victoria Falls

Lake Kariba and bush 1

Lynn trying the controls. And impressed Albert!

Our destination Bumi Hills in sight

Preparing for a fly past in front of the resort

With the resort in the back ground

BYO birthday drinks

Amazing sunset

Malinda opening her presents

The birthday girl

Saturday 27 October - Flight over the Delta to Kasane -> Victoria Falls

After the morning walk we were driven to our aircraft and departed for Kasane airport in the North east for refuelling and clearing customs and there after along the Zambezi river to the Victoria Falls. The falls are on the border of Zambia and Zimbabwe. Truly spectatular from the air. We stayed on the Zimbabwe side in the town called Victoria Falls. Zimbabwe is quite different from Botswana. A lot of paperwork to fill out and visas are expensive. Prices are now all in US $. They clearly rip tourists off here. We stayed at the Safari lodge and had an amusing evening at the nearby buffet restaurant. Lynn tried the drums and also the local delicacy; mupani worms.

Our guide 'KB'

And guide 'Amos'

What did those termites think of??? 

Following Amos on a path that was made by the hippos

Bush 1

Bush 2

The Okavango delta from the air

A small landing strip somewhere

Elephants

And more elephants

And more

The Zambezi river

The Victoria falls

Entertainment for the tourist

'This drink has alcohol inside' (Imagine this with a funny accent)

Whole lamb

Lynn's delicacy; Mupani worms

Playing drums