nav[aria-label="Primary Navigation"] { padding: 0; & ul { list-style: none; width: 100%; display: flex; flex-direction: row; justify-content: start; align-items: start; gap: 30px; padding: 0; & li { margin: 0; } & ul li { list-style: none; } } }

I dream of Africa ..(my experience)

mil

Monday, Sept. 5th- as I was dreaming with Botswana, Zambia & SA. and my alarm when off...
This time, I didn't drag myself out of bed, instead I but jump out to dance the Happy Dance! listening to...

https://youtu.be/PnZ0xdMU4yY,

Yes! I'm going to Africa, finally and I got in the shower, fixed my hair, put on some make up ( ?) , lots of perfume... that never fails and checked around the house to make sure everything was right.
Next, it was time to wait for my Emirates Biz. shuttle driver... Here I am by the stairs steps as I suddenly hear Knock knock!
Who's there ?
It's your driver.. Mr. R. , as I open the door with my biggest smile, I realize my driver it's MILTON!!!

Good morning, Miss Milena, good morning, Sr. and off he went, took my suitcase (under 27lb. and my camera bag. ) walk towards the Black Jaguar and loaded the trunk, open the door for me and off we went headed to the Airport. He was sweet as a candy and very friendly. I had an amazing ride.

well, we got to the airport; I had pre-check, so the only thing left to do was to turn my 27lb. suitcase in and headed to the gate... the entire process was about 2-3 min. ... I think they know me 1 hour later the gates open and I'm walking down through the tunnel to Happiness.

My flight was Seattle-Dubai 14h. piece of cake... my 5th time, I use to it.- This time I'm staying 2 full days in Dubai.
I saw the Museum of the future (just open) the Frame Bldg., went to the Souks to buy my middle E, spices and did my typical Spa ritual...

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/rs7P0wI1k9Y

off 2 days later to Lusaka, Zambia 7h. flight - this time economy- aisle seat 18C. Food was good- service excellent as usual.
Once in Lusaka, I did run to the terminal thinking 2.5 hours was not enough... even as I had already gotten my e-visa in hand- well it took all the process about 15m., now what? The Lusaka airport is new, still some areas are under construction, but it is functional and easy to navigate.

As, a rep. of Proflight saw my ticket, he immediately took over my luggage and took me directly to the Proflight counter.
and waited...
It's show time! They are ready to board.

and hour later I was finally @ Livingstone airport, where a Tauck rep, was waiting for ma and took me to the Royal Livingstone V. falls hotel.
As incredible it is, I was so excited, to be there... I was fresh and ready to start, they greeted me with a non- alcoholic that was delicious... so, I ask for 2 more . No shame!
Thet directed me to the room and as I left my bags, I ran to take some pictures, I saw a Giraffe and some Zebras out in the lawn also wanted to see my first Zambia sundowner.
Well, I got around and found the giraffe which became my new friend... the click of my camera was something he had to see up-close. I have to be honest... I pulled back several steps, but it was Amazing to see it so close and so gentle. Once several pictures were taken and after seeing my first sundowner at the hotel, I headed back to the room to get ready for the next Amazing and loaded with excitement day.

7:00 am Tauck Welcome cocktail day.
But I had other plans till 6:oo pm

1st. my Microfight over The Victoria Falls (THANKS! to ALANS, it was AAAAAMAZING!)

https://youtu.be/c6GOVLoL9hQ

Then, at 10:00 The Elephant Cafe for Lunch. (Not to be missed! ) I just hope Tauck includes it in the Livingstone program. (Lunch was divine too) _ Enjoy!
https://youtube.com/shorts/AGzi3bMQ4Ok?feature=share
https://youtu.be/c6D8RbZZ_ug

and finally, the Cocktail welcome reception... Let's meet the group and the TD.
at first glance everyone was very friendly and happy, all very excited to start the trip and drinks, laughter was the order of the night. The cocktail was done outside at the lawn near the river, so we had a great breeze and also saw another out of this world African Sundowner... it never gets old.

Well, these is it for an Introduction... the trip will start tomorrow Day # 2
-Rhino visit & Chobe before crossing to Botswana.

Buenas noches!, Good night! , Bonne nuit. Buona notte tutti.

Comments

mil

okay! Here he is............... Sexy Heli pilot! forget about the other... dude, the nightmare one... I like them YOUNG! and adventurist![]

mil

and he smell really good......

mil

Views from the Heli.

https://youtu.be/N6UdxYiZvJ8

mil

https://youtube.com/shorts/lBaaIWaAZg0?feature=share

Next the last activity on Day #6 the canoes and the Amazing Sundowner, followed by drinks and Laughters...also dinner..
with a great surprise from the staff they serenated us for 1/2h with beautiful African songs... working on the video.
if I upload it upside dowm..Smiling Sam might see more than he should

AlanS

Geee, no slack!!! Sam, give her a break!

Once photos have been uploaded and comment posted, if you find dupes and try to edit, it isn't easy to tell which photo is which, because there is no "Preview" in the edit mode. Each time you upload a photo whether uploading the same photo twice, the system assigns it a unique/different file name so impossible to tell that way. The only way I've found is to count the photos, e.g. if the fifth and sixth photos are dupes, go back and delete one of them and upload a new photo in its place.

It can be tough, I lose track all the time!!! It can be even harder, depending on how many Amarula's you've had. (My wife's favorite too! Not too easy to find, but if you check around you can get it in the US)

mil, it looks like there was more water in the Okavango than when went. Was there enough water for a "motor boat" ride or did you have a ride in a "mokoro" canoe?

OurTravels34

Mil, he quite handsome. However, I've been happily married for 32 years. I asked my 90 year old mom what her secret is to married life and her one wise answer was "ignore". That's a loaded answer.

AlanS

For anyone who didn't notice, mil's photo clearly shows there are no doors on her helo! We had a larger helo (5 pax + pilot vs 3 pax + pilot on mil's helo) but our's didn't have doors either- the only way to fly for the best view!!!

Smiling Sam

AlanS - didn't have doors either- the only way to fly for the best view!!!

Did you have the option to stand on the rails of the helicopter? I see that a lot of that in Running Wild with Bear Grylls. Seems like that would provide an even better view.

British

I found Amarula easily at Total wine In Delaware.
Years ago, when we were on a tour, we came across a solo male elephant who was feasting on fallen Amarula fruits. They were obviously fermenting because he was unsteady and clearly drunk. He tolerated us watching him for quite a while, then he suddenly had enough and began to charge us. The driver backed up hastily. It was a great moment.
Mil, I’m going to call you Amarula from now, it certainly is a lovely drink on ice.
Look forward to your next installment.

mil

OurTravels34 Hi.
I'm Happily Single and planning on keeping the status, I have an excellent life.
Happy for you.

mil

AlanS Hey
I get my Amarula at Total Wine & more.
Plenty of water for motorboat. it was at good levels.

mil

British !! this one is for you! from NA. - Naughty Amarula

mil

Next video It's a most see, I'm the only one that capture the moment, I know that!!! AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

https://youtu.be/oX7HbUBUdas

mil

next one for AlanS, need for speed!
https://youtube.com/shorts/MFajsYXvZjs?feature=share

British

Mil. I mean Amarula, 😂😂😂 🍹 Cheers

AlanS

Great video of the water buck(?). Wow, pretty fast for those shallow waterways!! Instead of a boat with a standard outboard motor, you must have been in an airboat with a big engine and airplane propeller, like the one below? (Though the airboat is from Namibia, I see it was made in Maun, Botswana)

mil

Next Day #7
Free morning then flight to Kalahari Camp! The most rustic one but with the most lovable staff ever..

view from my tent as a woke up, every day.

More to come... Good night

AlanS

Were the horses still there? They roam freely in the enclosure which is fenced to protect them and guests from the lions which you can often hear making noises that seem like they are just outside your tent!

mil

AlanS , I did not see any horses, I had told the TAUCK rep. I wanted to do horse backriding.. but of course... he did not deliver.
I did love the camp comcept of having all guess in house seat and eat at the table together with also the staff as a big family, live at the bush can be really hard on them no tv-phone etc.
.

British

Brings back such memories of that tour. Was the Belgian guy still the manager there, he was awesome.
We never saw horses.

AlanS

British
5:59AM
. . . . We never saw horses.

The horses were there in 2019. Horseback riding (vs 4 wheeling?) was an option. We only had one rider in our group.

Mil, great shots of Camp Kalahari. Was the pool open? I forgot his name, but did the big elephant visit Camp Kalahari? Did you get a photo of the 'rats nest'- the device charging station? There are many times I wish I had taken one. It would have made it easy to answer forum questions. Did you get any shots of the meerkats?

gladysorlando984

Mil great pictures and reports, lovely trip

British

I think someone did post a pic of the charging station fairly recently.

mil

Alan, Nope ... I did not see any horses or heard them. I did not took a pic of the charging station, but I will get it.- I'm in contact with the staff manager and kids a lot.

British, no Belgian manager... the one at the time of my visit was a SA gal- Ntebo , she is amazing. I keep in touch with her on WhatsApp

mil

Lovable Staff.

We had so much fun! they're all in my heart forever...to meet & share with them was the best thing that happen to me in the middle of the toxic storm...

https://youtu.be/8jMQ06IPpnE

mil

So, I will combine Day 7 & 8 since both where at the Kalahari Camp and Makgadikgadi.

On day 7th as we arrive to the camp, we had lunch and soon after we visited the Bushmen.
The visit was very interesting and informative. They show us about the healing & uses of many plants/bushes and what they do on their daily life. - (I also held a scorpion!)

then we proceeded to an area where we boarded the Jeeps (I sat on the top outside seat) to go far out to enjoy another spectacular sundowner.
Amarula back again in the menu, by now I was having more than 1 glass.... only way to dela with D" toxics...
Once back to the camp... dinner a & Nite- Nite. Here I go... 5 min. walk to my tent, # 11 again. and way off... far away from everyone else... Uhm! I see a pattern. Child games... find with me, with all the Amarula I drank I slept like a baby.

https://youtube.com/shorts/hudJY_mgI6s?feature=share

mil

some Sunset Pics - I like to be creative with my pics.

BKMD

This pic looks like he's about to pick up the Coke bottle that fell from the sky

PureLuxury

(I also hold a scorpion!)

mil...be careful

mil

Part II - Day 8Th to follow...
Meerkats ATV at the Salt Pans, dinner under the stars.... and opted out of the final surprise....