Victoria Falls, Zambia - March 2008

For our stay in Zambia we stayed at the Zambezi Sun Hotel in Livingstone. The hotel is within the Mosi-Oa-Tunya National Park and is a stone's throw from the falls.

Within the hotel grounds we saw Impala, Zebra, Vervet Monkeys and Baboons.

The Monkeys and Baboons were either on the lawns in the trees or climbing on the roofs of the buildings. The restaurant staff were frequently having to chase the monkeys away from the dining area.






Vervet Monkeys

Zebras were seen grazing the lawns on a daily basis. Unlike the zebras at Kruger, these ones did not have the characteristic shadowing of the stripes common in many Burchell's Zebra.


Burchell's Zebra on the lawn in one evening


Burchell's Zebra from our balcony one morning

Also seen on our balcony one evening was this spider.



African pied wagtails were often around the swimming pool area.

When we visted the Falls these Rock Hyrax were seen.




Rock Hyrax

The spray from the falls could easily be seen and heard from the hotel. At this time of the year, towards the end of the wet season, the Zambezi is in full flood. A visit to falls results in a thorough drenching.

Canoeing along the Zambezi River - Zimbabwe/Zambia - March 2008

The trip started with a drive through the Mosi-Oa-Tunya game reserve. Baboons and Giraffe were seen along with Batteleur's Eagles and a Black Kite.



After a safety briefing we were ready to go.



Joanna and I went in separate canoes with the 2 guides, which meant that we could see and photograph more of the wildlife without having to concentrate on paddling all the time (although we both did our fair share).



We started out paddling straight across the river to the other side, and then headed downstream on the Zimbabwe side of the river.

As we crossed, a number of White-Backed Vultures could be seen circling over the far bank.




White-Backed Vulture

The bird-life along the river was plentiful, particularly Bee-Eaters.




White-Fronted Bee-Eaters


Little Bee-Eater

Many Red Bishops, (sparrow-sixed bright red and black birds) and some Fork-Tailed Drongos were spotted. A Spotted Flycatcher was perched on a branch watching for flies. There were 2 types of Kingfisher - the large Pied Kingfisher and the small and extremely colourful Malachite Kingfisher.


Pied Kingfisher




Malachite Kingfisher


This African Darter (or Snake Bird) was watching for fish from its lookout post.



African Darter

We passed this colony of Cattle Egrets


Cattle Egrets

Much of the time the water was calm like this:


Occassionly we paddled through rapids:



Along the banks there were several Water Thick-Knees and White-Crowned Plovers




White-Crowned Plover

We also managed to see 2 Fish Eagles, one of which was tearing away at a fish in a tree.




Fish Eagle


In the middle of the river there was a large cluster of Masked Weavers' nests.


Male Mopani Trees are different to female ones. The male tree shown here has a darker bark.



Sausage trees were also growing along the edge of the river.

The large fruits are used for medicinal purposes. They are also eaten by animals - like this Baboon.


Chacma Baboon

After a getting a thorough drenching from paddling through a set of rapids, we crossed back to the Zambian side of the river for a lunch break - a welcome chance to dry off in the sun.



Continuing along the Zambian side of the river, there were less birds to see. We did however see more animals. Several good sightings of Hippos, a herd of impala, a couple of giraffe and right at the end of the journey a large crocodile.


Hippos


Impala



Giraffe

The giraffes in Zambia were a lot paler than those seen earlier in the Kruger National Park, South Africa.




The Zambezi River

Zambezi River, Zambia

We took a late afternoon boat trip along the river above the Victoria Falls. Here are some of the pictures of the wildlife and scenery.

Along the banks, water berries were growing.

The palm trees are apparently not native to this area but have been introduced as a result of elephants eating the fruits and depositing the seeds.

Egyptian Geese.

Green-Backed Heron

White-Faced Whistling Duck

Water Thick-Knees (Water Dikkop) were very common. These are in the same family as our Stone Curlews.





White-Crowned Plovers were also common along the riverbank.



Hippos were lying in the shallows on the mud banks at the river's edge.


Zambia's National Bird - the African Fish Eagle.






The mighty Victoria Falls just down river. The spray reached high into the sky.


... and as the sun began to set over Zimbabwe.