Tuesday 3rd May

We met up at the airport for our flight to Johannesburg where we changed to fly to Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe.  The flight was quite long but we did not mind as we were very much looking forward to our trip, let’s get started!

Wednesday 4th May

There were only a few hours’ time difference which made much easier when we arrived in Victoria Falls.  We settled into our rooms and rested up as it had been a long night.  That evening we enjoyed a falls sunset cruise.  We were so lucky to see lots of different animals on our first day including 3 elephants swimming, Egyptian geese, hippos, and crocodile! The sunset was beautiful, what a magical start to our African Safari.

Thursday 5th May

Today we had a fantastic helicopter flight over the Victoria Falls.  The sights were just so spectacular, the falls were amazing!  After being dropped back at our hotel we made our way into the town for lunch and to look round the shops. Then, we returned to our hotel for a rest before dinner, we all had balconies and could hear the roar of the falls when we stood outside! 

Friday 6th May

Today we relaxed by the pool as it had been a busy few days. We walked into the town for some lunch and some more souvenir and gift shopping! Next, we headed to Falls Lookout Café for coffee and cake and to see the falls from the ground, it was such a cool experience!

Saturday 7th May

 We were picked up after breakfast for our transfer to Hwange where we are staying at Ivory lodge in one of the stunning tent on stilts style huts. The place was amazing and as we arrived, we were greeted by a family of elephants that had come for a drink in the water hole!  We all had to be really quiet, but it was a great welcome.  We were shown to our tents where we unpacked before heading out on an afternoon game drive! We saw Kudu, black back jackal, impala, and cape closest starling.  That evening we were joined by the lodge owners for a delicious dinner cooked by a personal chef, we all enjoyed our meal tonight!

Sunday 8th May

We headed out after breakfast for another game drive and saw so many different animals, like sable antelope (not seen very often apparently), water buck hippo, crown cranes, a dazzle of zebra, yellow billed horn bird, a leopard tortoise, more zebra, a giraffe, and violet backed starling to name a few!  That evening after yet another amazing dinner cooked by our chef, we sat round the campfire and were joined by the wild elephants again, we managed to get some amazing photos!

Monday 9th May

We headed out again after breakfast to see hippo, elephants, crocodile, more zebras, a herd of buffalo, lots of antelope and water buck!  After heading back to the lodge for lunch we visited a painted dog sanctuary where they look after and return to the wild the beautiful painted dogs, it was such a lovely experience. That evening, after relaxing we had yet another delicious, cooked dinner and relaxed by the campfire to be joined by the elephants again. Before dinner we managed to head out on an evening game drive in search of the lions we had heard the night before. We eventually found the pride stalking a herd of wildebeest, I think our presence spoilt their kill!

Tuesday 10th May

All too soon it was time to move on to our next destination in Amalinda lodge, located in Matopos Park. The lodge was simply stunning and made from all natural resources on the side of the rocks! That afternoon we went on a game drive and saw lots of animals including a black eagle, lilac-breasted roller, and several hippos. We went out on an evening game drive to watch the sunset with a drink, our guide found an incredible spot to enjoy the sunset. It was a truly memorable evening.

Wednesday 11th May

After breakfast we headed out in search of the white rhino, we did a guided walk with armed guards to find them and got up quite close, it was a great experience! After a picnic lunch we climbed world’s view, a scenic viewpoint where Cecil Rhodes is buried. That evening we had a delicious dinner and were joined by our host at the lodge for a few drinks and a chat. The food here has been so fabulous we will be going home twice the size!

Thursday 12th May

Today after breakfast we headed to Pomongwe Cave to see some cave paintings. We then visited a family who showed us found their home in the village and finally onto the children’s home where they showed us round and were very friendly. On our way back we were lucky to spot some giraffes in the bush and some warthogs and a zonkey (cross between a donkey and a zebra!) just near to our lodge, we were so fortunate to see all of these amazing animals!

Friday 13th May

We have all had the holiday of a lifetime and can’t believe all the things we have seen and done! It has truly been amazing. We gathered our things and looked through our amazing photos holding memories that will stay with us forever. It was all over far too quick, and it is now time to fly home and say our goodbyes until next time.