First night in Zambia
Arrived at Livingstone airport yesterday to our first Tauck surprise. We were collected by a man and a van, note our first encounter with mosquitoes inside the van! Then, to our surprise, we were taken to a boat dock on the Zambezi River and whisked away down the river and over some gentle rapids to arrive at the Livingstone hotel. We have just eaten breakfast and strolled the grounds and sat watching hippos amd birdlife in the River. In the background we could see the mist from the falls. As I write this, lying on my bed, there is a zebra not six to eight feet feet away from me outside the window, a few others in the background with a small baby nursing on it's mother. Does this wet your appetite! We are off for a three hour spa delight shortly.
Extract from my diary follows
Last night, we opened our room door to go to dinner and right there was a large male giraffe. Being aware that a couple of people have been very badly injured by giraffe at the resort in the past few months, we called the golf cart transport guys to come and collect us. There were three giraffe. Dinner at the restaurant was delicious, I had beef carpaccio and Mr B had some sort of freshwater crayfish salad. We both had quail breast served with an amazing risotto. I opted for a chocolate dessert trio and Mr B had a sort of deconstructed lemon meringue pie trio. A glass of champagne and wine each. $100. Set in beautiful surroundings and lovely staff and people who have the courtesy to speak in muted tones, what a difference to an American restaurant.
This morning we opened our curtains and saw a small family of zebra outside our window, with a little baby who was sticking very closely to it's mother and she was having to nudge it along out of her way so she could eat the grass.
Extract from my diary follows
Last night, we opened our room door to go to dinner and right there was a large male giraffe. Being aware that a couple of people have been very badly injured by giraffe at the resort in the past few months, we called the golf cart transport guys to come and collect us. There were three giraffe. Dinner at the restaurant was delicious, I had beef carpaccio and Mr B had some sort of freshwater crayfish salad. We both had quail breast served with an amazing risotto. I opted for a chocolate dessert trio and Mr B had a sort of deconstructed lemon meringue pie trio. A glass of champagne and wine each. $100. Set in beautiful surroundings and lovely staff and people who have the courtesy to speak in muted tones, what a difference to an American restaurant.
This morning we opened our curtains and saw a small family of zebra outside our window, with a little baby who was sticking very closely to it's mother and she was having to nudge it along out of her way so she could eat the grass.
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Comments
I realize you may not have connectivity all the time, but please keep the cards and letters coming when you can!!
There was an incident where two Tauck travelers were attacked, one was severely injured. You can Google it or read about it in this older forum post. It is not known what triggered the attack, but the giraffe in question was "relocated."
You must remember, though the giraffe, zebra, monkeys and other animals that may wander the grounds of the Royal Livingstone are accustomed to people, they are not domesticated and are still "wild." They must be treated with respect and caution. Also remember, every year thousands of tourists, including over 500 Tauck travelers, stay at the Royal Livingstone (and their partner, the Avani Victoria Falls Resort next door). These incidents are few and rare. If the animals make you nervous you can call the front desk for an escort and/or golf cart transport to and from your room. Remember, also, during the trip you will be viewing many large, wild animals including big cats and other predators from open-sided safari vehicles and small boats.
British should have arrived in Cape Town today and will hopefully be back online sometime after that to give us the latest on the Royal Livingstone animals beyond what she already posted- I think her initial animal sightings on the grounds were Impala and Skeeters!
British- I'll give you a day or so before hitting you with questions. Are you staying on in Cape Town?
Never felt unsafe and saw lots of animals on site (zebra born while I was there!). Alan is right, however familiar they are with people - they are not pets and are wild.
Staff was happy to pick you up and take you wherever you wanted to go - any time.
Was fun to see animals around... if you have time you can ask to go with them when they feed them... around 3 PM, I think.