After an early breakfast on the deck overlooking the Zambezi River, we got in a van to transfer to Chobe Marina Lodge in Botswana where we would have a water safari in the morning and a land safari in the afternoon. We needed our passports as we would be crossing the border into Botswana. Fortunately, no visa is required.
However, both sides were extreme busy. There is one ferry across the Zambezi, and only one truck can fit in the ferry. Truckers line up in both sides with a wait of sometimes five days to get on a ferry. There was a heavy steel gate on both sides to secure the border. We were able to take a pontoon boat across for the quick five minute ride. Apparently, the Chinese are assisting with the construction of the bridge which will be completed in 2019.
Once in Botswana, we were required to wait for our passport to be stamped. It was quite crowded and hot. Next we were asked to step (shoes on) into a shallow pan with wet dirty rags to prevent foot and mouth disease.
At Chobe Lodge, we boarded an open boat with a canvas top. Water and soft drinks were available as well as male and female toilets! The guide, Divine, was very knowledgeable about birds, so I was able to identify many different species. We also saw crocodiles, elephants, giraffes, impala (known as doughnuts of the Savannah as they are plentiful and a tasty snack), water buffalo, wildebeest, and a family of hippos. It was truly amazing.
After, we had a buffet lunch at the lodge before going out in the land safari in a canvassed top vehicle with a fold-down windshield. We saw a lot more elephants, giraffes running, sable antelope, warthogs, zebra and many birds. The landscape was dry and stark because of the heat (over 100 degrees) and lack of rain, but still stunning.
On our return to Zambia, the curio salesmen were gone, so we weren't bothered, but the long lines of truckers remained.
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